8 Tips on How to Keep Spiders Away

If you have a home, you probably have spiders. In fact, one study found that the average house has around 61 spiders in it at any given time. 

While this might be true, there’s a big difference between finding a few eight-legged crawlies hanging out in your basement or sneaking around your houseplants and a full-blown infestation. When spiders infiltrate your home by the hundreds, lay eggs, and reproduce, you’ve got a major issue on your hands. 

Thankfully, there are ways you can prevent them from entering your property in the first place. Today, we’re sharing how to keep spiders away, with eight easy tips to try!

1. Eliminate Their Hiding Places

Spiders love to hide in the usual places: 

• In piles of clutter
• Under the sink
• Under furniture

They want somewhere warm and safe to conceal themselves, so the fewer opportunities you can give them, the better. If you think you have a spider problem, your first step should be to eliminate clutter as much as possible.

Look around your home for stacks of books, newspapers/magazines, or toys that they might tempted to use as a temporary home. Then, remove, discard, or repurpose those items as necessary.

2. Remove Their Food Source

Next, think about what they’re eating in your home. Spiders need food to survive, but they’re not spending too much time in your pantry or kitchen. Instead, they’re looking for what they’d normally eat in their natural habitat — bugs!

If you have insects in your home, you’ll need to tackle this issue before turning your attention to the spiders. Look for webs or nests, especially in houseplants. You can set traps to remove them or hire a local pest control team to get rid of them for good. 

3. Seal Cracks and Crevices

Third, check for entry points around your home that could allow spiders to crawl inside. Start by checking your doorframes and window frames for small cracks, holes, or openings. If you see any, caulk around them immediately. 

Then, think about other spaces in your home where something could creep in, such as the piping system under your sink. If any parts are loose or exposed, take care of them to keep any more spiders from making their way indoors. 

4. Turn Off Outdoor Lights

You want to make sure your exterior is well-lit at night, especially for safety as people or pets walk around. However, once everyone is safely tucked into bed, go ahead and turn them off. Leaving on your porch or patio lights is essentially like sending a welcome call to all the local spiders!

That’s because these lights also attract their favorite foods, including mosquitos and flies. Staying illuminated all night long gives spiders lots of time to devour a midnight snack. Then, when they’re done, they’ll either make their webs right on the corners and eaves of your house, or they’ll sneak their way inside. 

5. Clean Regularly

In addition to eliminating clutter, it’s also a good idea to sweep, vacuum, and dust your home on a regular basis. First, deep cleaning helps eliminate hiding spots for spiders to enjoy. At the same time, it also reduces the number of cobwebs hanging around your house!

As you’re tidying up, pay close attention to rooms that tend to attract the most pests. These can include your attic, basement, garage, and even your lanai. These areas tend to have a good number of storage boxes and containers that are great for spiders and other creepy crawlies to explore.

6. Put Fruit Away

Do you have a few bunches of bananas hanging in your kitchen? What about a bowl of apples or oranges? While many homeowners leave fruit out for ease and convenience, you could be encouraging a pest problem without even knowing it.

As the fruit ripens, it can attract gnats and flies. What is a spider’s favorite food? You guessed it!

Instead of leaving it out on the counter, go ahead and wash your fruit, then store it in your refrigerator. It will stay fresher for a longer period of time and you’ll keep spiders at bay. 

7. Move Shrubs Away From Your Home

Shrubs, small trees, and mulch all contribute to your home’s curb appeal. However, they can also be great hiding and nesting spots for pests, including spiders. This is especially true if they’re planted close to your home. 

Try to move everything out at least six inches from your foundation. This small change can go a long way toward discouraging insects from trading their natural habitat for yours.

While you’re adjusting your shrubbery, it’s also helpful to remove piles of leaves, sticks, and other yard debris. Spiders love to hide out in these areas, especially when the weather turns cold and they need somewhere warm to play and sleep.

8. Employ the Power of Scent

One thing to remember about spiders is they don’t love strong-smelling odors! They’ll usually avoid going near heavily scented items, especially if there are other places to hide out. 

Some of the most revolting smells to them include:

• Citrus
• Peppermint
• Tea tree
• Lavender
• Rose
• Cinnamon 
• Cedar
• Tobacco

For a natural deterrent, try sprinkling a few drops of essential oils in these scents on dryer balls. Then, place them in the corners or closets of your home. You can also use a diffuser in your home to reach bigger areas all at once. 

If you’re already dealing with a pest problem, scents alone won’t do the trick, but they can discourage any new insects from joining their ranks. 

How to Keep Spiders Away From Your Home

When you know how to keep spiders away from your home, you can take the necessary steps to prevent a pest problem in the first place. However, what should you do if you suspect an infestation has already happened?

In that case, most at-home solutions and DIY tricks won’t be enough to fully eliminate the issue. That’s when it’s time to call a local spider extermination team, like All “U” Need Pest Control!

We help Florida homeowners like you identify and remove pests from their homes and lawns. From spiders and bed bugs to cockroaches and rodents, we can take care of them all! Contact us today to schedule a consultation.