19 tried and tested methods to get rid of spiders in your home - and keep them out

Looking to get rid of spiders in your house? We don’t blame you. Nobody wants to share their home with eight-legged creepy crawlies - especially when they don’t pay rent or contribute to any of the household chores.

Yes, whether you want to keep spiders out of your bed (yes, your bed!) or just want to go a day without cleaning cobwebs from the corners of your home, you’ll be happy to know that there are so many ways to get spiders out of your home and stop them coming back. You have a few choices to make first, though.

Below, you’ll find 19 different ways to get rid of spiders in the home and stop this incey-wincey problem once and for all. All you need to do is choose which one you want to try for yourself. Or, alternatively, you could opt for a multi-dimensional approach and use numerous tactics to keep your home spider-free.

1. Repel with peppermint oil

It's a scientifically proven fact that peppermint oil repels spiders. Another fun fact: spiders smell and taste through their legs. So, crawling through an area scented with peppermint is a highly unpleasant experience.

You can pick this essential oil up cheaply at your local pharmacy, or places like Muji. Use an oil diffuser or burner and enjoy the relaxing scent it creates, or mix with water in a spray bottle to target specific areas.

Peppermint oil also happens to be a great way to keep spiders off garden furniture and get rid of mice, so you can kill two birds with one stone. Pour drops of the oil on cotton pads and place in cracks through which these pests could be entering your home.

2. Stave off spiders with spicy cinnamon

There are so many natural spider repellents out there, and cinnamon is another one. This cupboard staple won't just get rid of spiders in your home, though - as it'll also make it smell delicious.

To utilise cinnamon, discreetly place cinnamon sticks in areas where you've seen spiders in the past, replacing them every couple of months as the scent fades.

Just be warned that cinnamon does stain, so one good option is to push the sticks into the soil in your pot plants around your door, or, failing that, you could use cinnamon oil on cotton wool balls.

3. Use the old-fashioned conkers method

Have you ever tried this old wives’ tale before? Conkers have long been considered a spider repellent, but it seems as though the jury is still out on whether conkers really can keep spiders out of the house.

‘There is an age-old belief that placing conkers in the corner of your room will repel spiders within your home,’ explains home expert Anna Elkington from Melody Maison. ‘Apparently, conkers contain a noxious chemical that, when in close proximity, can result in the death of spiders. However, there is a lack of scientific proof that conkers can successfully repel spiders, so there is no way to know if this old wives tale actually works.’

But that doesn’t stop people from trying this method every single year, so it’s worth a try, right? If you have pets, make sure you check with your vet, as conkers can be poisonous.

4. Spritz white vinegar

You're probably already cleaning with vinegar in your home, but this common household product can also work wonders against your eight-legged enemies.

Adam Pawson from Safestyle UK advises, 'Spray half water and half vinegar all over the crevices of your window, being careful to avoid varnished surfaces, as vinegar can be harsh on these.'

'Not only will you be keeping spiders out, but vinegar is also a great repellent for anyone struggling with ant infestations,' he says. Whether you want to get rid of ants or spiders, you can use normal malt vinegar or white vinegar.

5. Use garlic to ward them off

We didn’t think we needed any more reason to love garlic (especially as garlic can actually help your grass grow and get rid of slugs), but it seems as though they can ward off spiders, too. Yes, vampires aren’t the only ones who hate garlic, as spiders absolutely detest the smell of this vegetable.

This means that you can use it to your advantage when trying to keep your home spider-free. And the best way to do this is to make your own garlic water by placing a few cloves into a spray bottle full of water. When you have this, you can spray in corners and around skirting boards to keep the pests at bay.

Of course, this will make your house smell like garlic. So bear that in mind if you’re not a huge garlic fan.

6. Embrace your inner neat-freak

The next tip is all about keeping on top of household chores. Spiders love to find hiding places in rarely-visited spots behind furniture, so keeping your home tidy and clutter-free will make a big difference. Prevention is better than cure, after all.

About once a week, if you can, run your best vacuum cleaner under the bed, behind the sofa and around all pieces of furniture. Likewise, in the kitchen, try and keep your sink and worktops free of crumbs and spillages, as these will attract ants – which will attract spiders. It's all about the food chain.

7. Turn the lights off

Adam Pawson also points out that like many insects, spiders are attracted to light. So making sure that your lights are turned off overnight and while you’re not in the house is one fool-proof way to make sure you’re not inviting spiders in – and you’ll be saving energy at home at the same time.

But if you're worried about burglars while you're not in, you can still make the most of smart lighting or choose some of the other security measures for your house.

8. Keep your bins closed

It’s important to dispose of your household waste properly, but stuffing your bins so much that you can’t close the lid is a surefire way to open up your house to all kinds of critters. You might find yourself dealing with maggots in your bin or an overload of spiders in your home.

That’s because spiders are attracted to food - and their dish of choice is a delicious fly, whose dish of choice is an all-you-can-eat bin buffet. So, by keeping your bins closed at all times, you can then keep flies out of the house.

Without any flies to eat, spiders are less likely to come into your home. And that’s what we all want, right?

9. Blow away the cobwebs

Spotting cobwebs all over your house? Well, cobwebs are essentially a spider's safe space, which is a sure sign that spiders have made your house their home.

So, get rid of cobwebs with your vacuum cleaner or a broom to encourage spiders to go elsewhere. Remove any webs from coving areas and around your windows as soon as you see them, which will also go a long way in making your space feel fresh and well kept.

'Spiders will often lay their eggs in sack, held in position with sticky silk around windows and doors,' comments pest control expert John Stewart from Pest-Stop . 'Removing these with a hard bristle brush will help to keep their numbers in check around the home.'

10. Sprinkle baking soda

Most people already know that baking soda is a household essential. From helping you clean a microwave to stopping condensation on windows, baking soda can come in very handy. But what you might not realise is that baking soda can also keep spiders out of your home.

If you sprinkle baking soda in corners and in any areas where spiders tend to congregate, you should find that they’ll stop coming back. No, it won’t kill them, but the powdery substance and the smell should deter them.

However, it’s important to know that you’ll probably need to keep sprinkling down fresh baking powder to get the most out of this hack. And if you have pets, it’s best not to use this method as baking powder can be toxic.

11. Purchase a spider catcher

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to get rid of spiders in your home is to get rid of them manually. You don't have to use your bare hands for this, though.

'Handheld devices like the Pest-Stop spider and insect vacuum offer a quick, safe, and scare-free answer to banishing these eight-legged intruders and other insects from the home,' says John Stewart.

Spider catchers allow the user to pick up a spider at arm's length, and release it outside by pressing a trigger. Could this be one of the best inventions of the last decade?

12. Tidy up your garden

It may sound silly, but tidying up the outside of your house is one of the best ways to stop spiders from coming into the house. That’s because the further away you can keep the spiders, the better.

And while it may seem enticing to leave grass clippings on the lawn or keep a stash of firewood underneath your living room window, doing so is basically asking for spiders to come close to your home.

Spiders are less likely to scuttle into your house if you keep them away from your garden, so keeping your garden tidy and less attractive to critters is the way to go.

13. Try cedar wood balls

Did you know that many critters hate the smell of cedar? In fact, it's one of the scents that clothes moths hate. Spiders aren't fans, either - and you can use this to your advantage.

These aren't proven to work, but they're definitely worth a try as you can simply hang or place cedar wood blocks around your home. If you're looking for a natural and budget-friendly option that will repel both moths and spiders, it certainly won't do any harm.

14. Grow lavender, fresh mint or eucalyptus

You probably don't need any more encouragement to add to your garden ideas, but just as there are some plants that slugs hate, there are also plants that spiders hate. You don't necessarily need a garden for this, either.

A window box of lavender will help to ward off spiders, as well as giving window ledges a Southern France vibe. Be sure to include some fresh mint in your mini herb garden, too, and if you have space, grow some eucalyptus. Spiders aren't fans of any of these.

15. Order a spider-repellent spray

Just want something quick and happy to spend a fiver? There are so many pre-made spider-repellent sprays out there. These won't cost you a fortune, and will be ready for action as soon as it turns up on your doorstep.

Just make sure to read the instructions and any warnings before using these products for the first time - especially if you have pets or children in the house.

16. Deter with zingy citrus

Although you may love the smell of citrus, spiders don't share the same sentiments. They find the scent incredibly overpowering, which is why using it around your home is a surefire way to get spiders out of the house.

'Your best bet is to mix essential oils, such as tea tree, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and citronella with water in a trigger spray bottle,' says John Stewart. Spray around the floor wall junctions, paying attention to the corners of the rooms. It'll help rid your home of spiders and give it a lovely fragrance.

17. Fill over any cracks

Although it's important to get rid of spiders in the home, you also need to pay close attention to how they're getting in your home in the first place. In most cases, they'll find tiny cracks and holes as their entry point.

Yes, spiders enter the home via gaps under doors and around windows, so ensure that there's a good seal around window frames. This could be as simple as filling holes or resealing your windows and doors.

You could also try fitting excluder strips to the bases of doors to help prevent them from scuttling in.

18. Light some candles

You probably don’t need too much encouragement to light another candle in your home, but did you know that candles can actually get rid of spiders? Of course, this is definitely the case if you utilise candles full of essential oils and scents similar to the ones we’ve already covered in this guide.

But more than that, spiders hate smoke. And blowing out candles by windows and doors is a great way to ward off these creepy crawlies. Alternatively, you could just light matches every so often and blow the smoke in the direction of the spiders.

19. Make the most of tea tree oil

Another essential oil to add to the list of ways to get rid of spiders in the house is tea tree oil - something many of us have on hand if we have children of school age. Thankfully, it’s very ease to use.

Chris Hutton, storage expert and owner of Adams Selfstore explains, ‘Thanks to spiders’ dislike of strong scents, tea tree oil is a particularly effective method when it comes to deterring them. And if you want to make your own natural spider repellent, all you have to do is mix between 10 and 15 drops of tea tree oil with water in a spray bottle.’

‘Once you have done that, shake the solution well so it all combines together before spraying the mixture around windows, doors, and other entry points where spiders might enter. It's also a good idea to target areas where spiders tend to hide, such as corners, closets, and under furniture.’

As well as keeping spiders at bay, the tea tree oil spray will also add a fresh and fragrant scent to your home. Just make sure you spray every few days to maintain its effectiveness.

FAQs

What gets rid of spiders instantly?

'The safest and best way to deal with spiders is to simply pick them up and transfer them gently outside where they can be of benefit,' says John Stewart. Once you've removed them, you can use any of the methods above to stop them from returning.

What month is spider season UK?

While September often offers a welcome relief from the summer sun, the colder mornings and evenings do, unfortunately, signal the start of spider season. Spider season officially kicks off in early September and continues until late October.

During this time, spiders take full advantage of the colder months and come out of hiding to take part in their mating season. Because of this, you may find that there are more spiders than usual in your home during this time. That doesn’t mean that you have to sit back and take it, though.

By using the hacks above, you should be able to keep these spiders at bay.

What does it mean when spiders keep appearing?

If you feel like you're constantly trying to get spiders out of your house, you're making your home too inviting for spiders. These critters will enter your home for warmth, food, and shelter (especially during mating season).

So, aim to remove as much food and clutter from your home as possible and secure all entry points to ensure these spiders have no way of getting in - despite how much they want to.

So, how will you be getting rid of spiders in your home?