Are you afraid of spiders? Are worried they might bite your children while they play in the yard? Are you looking for ways to drive them away?
Believe it or not, house spiders are generally harmless to humans. They live on a diet of moths, mosquitoes, crickets, and flies.
But take note that these creepy crawlers can still bite you. Black widows and hobo spiders can leave painful bites that come with severe side effects. Some bites result in skin lesions that take several months to heal.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of spiders effectively, check out our list below.
how to get rid of spiders with home remedies
Do you often see spiders in and outside of your house? Well, you are not alone. A survey discovered that
American homes have around 32 to 211 different spider species. Follow these 8 natural ways that will help you drive away those 8-legged freaks.
1. start with vinegar
Begin your quest to drive away spiders by starting simple. Head on to your kitchen and fill up a spray bottle with water and vinegar. Apply a 50/50 partition and shake the bottle well.
Spray the solution to cracks, crevices, and corners around your house. You may also target holes where spiders may hide.
Be careful not to hit your furniture that has surfaces with varnish. Vinegar can easily wash off varnish and cause tarnishing on your wooden chairs and tables.
2. try essential oils
If you have the budget, you can also try using essential oils. Spiders do not like strong scents.
Get some peppermint oil and mix 15 to 20 drops with water and inside a spray bottle. Just like the way you did with vinegar, spray the solution around the house. Target the same areas where spiders hide.
To ensure the efficacy of your essential oils, replace the peppermint with a different one at least once a month. You can try lavender, cinnamon, rose, and tea-tree.
If you have money to spare, you may want to invest in an essential oil diffuser. This will help ensure even distribution of the essential oil vapors around your house.
3. mind the exterior
Keeping your house spider-free also means protecting your home’s exterior. Start by surveying your yard. Identify the things that spiders may likely be hiding.
If you see these things close to your exterior walls, move them to a different area. These include the likes of woodpiles, compost, leaves, and grass clippings.
Mind the window sills and door openings. Pay attention to any cracks. Seal the cracks immediately using caulk.
If you see holes on your window screens, replace them with new ones. Lastly, make sure that you cover your chimney and vents using a fine mesh.
4. eucalyptus helps
Are you into plants? Why not plant a eucalyptus tree in your backyard? The herb is one of the most potent repellants against spiders and other pests like ants.
It carries a strong medicinal scent that spiders hate. A good place to put the eucalyptus plant is near the windows.
In case there is not much room in your backyard to fit a eucalyptus tree, go for a smaller alternative. Lavender or mint is an excellent replacement.
5. try cedar and conkers
If you have lost of space to fit a bigger plant, you can try out cedar. Spiders also hate the scent of cedar emits.
If you want, you may also try cutting them into small pieces. Sand them down and hang them in different parts of your house. Put a piece or two inside your drawers.
Leave a piece on every corner. Hang one alongside your clothes to keep the latter spider-free.
If cedar is not your type, why not try chestnuts? Used in by British kids in the game called “conkers,” the seeds of horse chestnut trees are an effective deterrent of spiders.
Throw in a few pieces on the corners of your rooms. Place a few pieces on your windowsills too.
But be careful if you have pets at home. Conkers can be poisonous so better consult your vet first.
6. the power of garlic
We know how potent garlic is. But did you know that it also drives away spiders?
Get your trusty water bottle and fill it up with water. Crush some garlic cloves and dump them inside the bottle. Spray the solution in the same areas you would with the vinegar and essential oils.
You can also give the floors and skirting boards a little spraying. If the scent is too strong for you, adjust the number of cloves that you crush.
7. get citrusy
Cannot stand the smell of garlic? Is peppermint too strong for you? Then opt for citrusy options.
Rub your bookshelves and windowsills with some orange peel. Do the same thing for your skirting boards.
If you are going to polish your furniture, use cleaners that come with a lemon scent. Complete the treatment by burning citronella candles inside your home.
8. de-clutter
Lastly, one of the best ways to get rid of spiders is to keep your house clean. Focus on de-cluttering.
Sort out your items at home and identify the ones you no longer use. Set them all aside and discard the ones you no longer need.
If some of the items are still in good condition, you can opt to give them away. Sell some if you want and convert them to extra money.
If you need to store some of your items, choose plastic storage containers. Spiders can easily crawl inside cardboard boxes. Plastic containers, on the other hand, are air-tight.
Dust your pillows, mattress, and couches. Use a vacuum to take out those pesky spider webs.
severe cases call for professional expertise
Sometimes, knowing how to get rid of spiders using natural methods may not be enough. Spider, as well as pest infestation, in general, is a serious matter.
It requires the help of a professional pest control provider.
If you think you have a pest infestation at home, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Let us know your problem and we’ll get you the professional assistance you need.
