Did you know that with just three simple tricks, you can all but stop spiders from getting inside your home this fall and winter?
As the weather turns cooler in the fall, the likelihood of eight-legged creatures finding their way indoors grows with each passing day. Spiders become quite active in pursuing cover in the fall, and surprisingly enough, not just to get out of the cold.
As it turns out, autumn is the season spiders are most likely to mate. And once they do, they look for warm and protected spaces to overwinter their eggs and themselves. Unfortunately, that means if they can find a way into the interior of a garage, basement – or anywhere inside the home for that matter, they will stay.
Although many spiders are incredibly beneficial for insect control outside in gardens and flowerbeds, once they come inside the house, it’s not usually looked upon favorably by those living in the house. Which is exactly why keeping them outside is the number one goal for a large majority of people!
The good news is that keeping spiders out of your home is easier than you might think. And all without having to use harsh chemical sprays that can be harmful to pets, children and you. With that in mind – here is a look at three great options that together can stop spiders from ever coming inside – naturally!
How To Stop Spiders From Getting Inside – 3 Simple Tricks That Work!
#1 The Power Of Peppermint – How To Stop Spiders From Getting Inside
Did you know that one of the most effective natural deterrents for spiders is peppermint? Spiders simply do not like the scent of peppermint. Not in the least! And there are actually two easy ways to use their dislike of it to help keep them ever from wanting to come inside.
One of the best ways is to use ready-to-go, all natural peppermint oil sprays that are designed with spiders in mind. Many of the sprays not only are a repellent, but actually help eliminate spiders in the home as well.
To use, you simply spray the bottom of door frames, windows and around your homes perimeter walls. The fresh minty scent will do wonders in keeping spiders from ever wanting to cross it. And for those that do, it can spell the end of the line.
We started to use the product Mighty Mint a few years back to help in the fight against stink bugs – but were incredibly happy to find out just how effective it is against spiders. And best of all, it actually has quite the refreshing scent too! Affiliate Product Link: Mighty Mint – 16oz Spider Repellent Peppermint Oil – Natural Spray for Spiders and Insects
Homemade Peppermint Oil Repellent – How To Stop Spiders From Getting Inside
If you want to go the DIY route, you can also make your own spider repellent right at home using peppermint oil. And it’s easier than you might ever think to make!
By mixing peppermint oil with water, you can create a simple, safe and potent all-natural spray. To make, start by adding two cups of water in a pan. Next add to ten to fifteen drops of peppermint oil. Then, turn the burner to low and heat the water up to warm it. Do not allow the water to boil as it can steam off some of the essence, making it less potent.
Continue to heat the water for five minutes after adding the drops. After five minutes, remove the mix from heat and allow it to cool. You can now place it into a hand help spray bottle and spray the repellent along window sills, doors, and other locations where spiders will attempt entry. Product Link: Edens Garden Peppermint Essential Oil- 100% Pure Premium Grade
One note of caution, when spraying any mixture on surfaces, even an all-natural one such as peppermint oil, always test out a small area to make sure it is safe for your surface and doesn’t stain or discolor it. To keep it effective, re-spray areas weekly.
Create Peppermint Scent Bags – How To Stop Spiders From Getting Inside
Another effective way to use peppermint essential oil is by creating scented cloth bags to place strategically around your house. We use them by doors, under cabinets and sinks, and around any cracks and crevices that spiders attempt to enter.
The bags are easy to make using cotton balls, peppermint oil and a small, inexpensive cloth bag. Simply place a few drops of oil on each cotton ball, and then place six to eight cotton balls into the bag.
As with making the peppermint spray, use only pure peppermint oil and not a diluted mixture. To keep the repellent effective, spray the bags with the peppermint/water mixture once a week. Not only do they help repel spiders, they also make the area smell great!
Cedar Oil – How To Stop Spiders From Getting Inside
Not a fan of peppermint? No worries – cedar oil works against spiders too!
In the outdoors, cedar oil can be highly effective in battling Japanese Beetles. But those same repelling properties work against spiders to keep them from coming inside as well. In fact, with all of the repelling properties that cedar oil has, always keeping a small bottle on hand is never a bad idea!
To create a spray mix for repelling spiders, use 1.5 tablespoons of cedar oil for every one half-gallon of water. Since the oil is already in its purest form, there is no need to heat the water. Just mix thoroughly and you are ready to spray doorways, windowsills, cracks and crevices.
In addition to helping with spiders and Japanese beetles, cedar oil can be an effective repellent against fruit flies, cockroaches, mice, ants and mosquitoes too! Product Link : Pure Cedar Oil
Seal Screens, Doors & Windows – How To Stop Spiders From Getting Inside
Although repellents can and do work to keep spiders outside, there is no substitute for keeping entry points for spiders sealed off. Preventing spiders all starts with keeping your house sealed at the locations spiders like to enter.
That means sealing windows and doors, and making sure any and all screens are secure and hole free. Just like flies, ants, stink bugs and other small insects, spiders find their way indoors through open cracks and crevices.
Keeping windows and doors caulked and trim seals in good order is extremely important as well. As is caulking and sealing off any pipes or foundation cracks where spiders can slip inside. If you have windows open, make sure screens are in place and seal all the way around.
If you have small holes in your screens, use screen tape to keep insects out. They are a much less expensive and quicker alternative to replacing entire screens. Especially in the fall when you might not have time to get them replaced! Product Link: Screen Tape
Here is to finally finding an all natural way to stop spiders from getting inside – and to enjoying your inside space pest free! Jim & Mary.
Old World Garden
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.
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