Spiders usually get into our homes during spring in search of warmth, or just a place to relax throughout the autumn and summer months. Although it is recommended to just leave a spider alone if you see it in your home, there’s no denying that this can be incredibly difficult for many people who actually fear spiders.
Spider infestations can be a nuisance, especially having their webs around the house. But in some instances, it’s a situation where a dangerous or poisonous spider has made its way into your home. If your home is infested with spiders, or they freak you out, you might want to know how to get rid of them. In this article, you can find out how to get rid of spiders safely.
You can read more guides and cleaning tips for the rest of your home on our blog.
Ways To Keep Spiders Out
- Declutter
- Seal cracks
- Keep the garden tidy
Other more natural methods:
- Peppermint oil
- Cinnamon
- Vinegar
- Citrus
- Turn off lights
- Cedar
- Garlic
- Consider a pet cat
1. Declutter
Decluttering your home is a good way to keep bugs and insects at bay. By cutting down the clutter, you provide less of an opportunity for spiders to find hiding places. You should also try to keep all sources of food covered so that spiders and other pests won’t have a food supply. Be sure to sweep crumbs off the floor and wipe your countertops down daily to discourage insects from being drawn to scraps of food in your kitchen.
Vacuum frequently to get rid of spider webs and egg sacs.
2. Seal Cracks
Sealing cracks in your walls is another smart method to prevent spiders from getting into your home. Sealing cracks is simple and inexpensive, and one of the best methods for keeping bugs and common house spiders away. Keep an eye out for spider infestations in the bathroom, kitchen, and other damp areas.
3. Keep The Garden Tidy
Spiders love living in lush vegetation, under woodpiles, and almost anywhere in your garden. Keep everything tidy in your garden by cutting back most of your plants. Not only will it promote your garden to grow in spring, but it helps with getting rid of all sorts of bugs and spiders. If you need help in the garden, SweepSouth provides expert gardening services by experienced professionals.
Natural Methods
Here are some natural remedies to combat spiders in your home:
1. Peppermint Oil
Strong scents are great spider repellents, and peppermint oil is a great natural solution with a strong scent. Simply add 15 to 20 drops of peppermint essential oil to an empty spray bottle and fill up the rest with water. Spritz this mixture all around the house. Change the scent of the oil regularly to help ensure that this method stays effective. Other scents that are effective are tea tree, rose, and lavender.
2. Cinnamon
Similar to peppermint oil, spiders are also believed to hate the smell of cinnamon. It can be cinnamon sticks, cinnamon oil or cinnamon scent candles. Set these up around your home.
3. Vinegar
Fill half of a spray bottle with white vinegar and the other half with water, and use it to spray into corners and crevices to keep spiders away. Be careful of your varnished surfaces, vinegar can be damaging to them.
4. Citrus
Spiders apparently can’t stand the smell of citrus. Rub citrus peels along your skirting boards, window sills, and shelves. Citronella candles in and outside your home will help too.
5. Turn Off Lights
Light doesn’t attract spiders, but it attracts the smaller insects that spiders eat. So you may want to switch off outdoor lights if spiders are a problem. Try using opaque blinds or curtains to stop light inside from shining through to the outside. If outside lights are going to be left on, you may want to use yellow sodium vapour lights as they are less likely to attract insects.
7. Cedar
Another scent that’s said to keep spiders away is Cedar. Although you can’t put a whole cedar plant in your home, there are many cedar-scented products that you can use. The woody aroma is said to keep clothes moths away too.
8. Garlic
Spiders don’t like the pungent smell of garlic. Depending on how strong a smell you can handle, put cloves or crushed cloves in a spray bottle filled with water, and use it to spritz the corners, floors, and skirting boards to keep spiders away.
9. Consider A Pet Cat
Cats are expert hunters, they will harm any spider they see in your home. Depending on whether you suffer from allergies or not, and your lifestyle, cats may not be suitable for your home. But if you don’t suffer from pet allergies and you like cats, you may want to consider getting one of these excellent spider hunters.
Conclusion
If you’re tired of sharing your home with spiders and don’t want to spend time trying to catch every one of them or cause harm to them, following these tips will be the best solution for ridding your home of spiders.
If your home is cluttered and messy with spiders crawling around, you may want to book a professional deep clean with SweepSouth to freshen up your home.
