The fear of spiders is one of the most common, but most species are beneficial members of our ecosystem. Common house spiders are generally harmless, but spider bites from species like black widows and brown recluses can be very dangerous. If you live in an area where these types of spiders are common, you should get rid of the spiders in your house for good.
If you want to keep spiders at bay, one of the easiest ways is to make your own spider spray. Store-bought sprays and traps can work wonders, but they contain chemicals harmful to pets and children. For homeowners looking for a more natural way to get rid of spiders, making your own homemade spider spray is one of the best options. Keep reading for step-by-step instructions on how to make homemade spider spray. However, if you think your spider infestation may be a bit too big to handle yourself, get an estimate from some of the best pest control companies in the industry below.
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Do Homemade Spider Sprays Actually Work?
Yes, homemade solutions can work to kill and repel spiders, but not all work the same. Vinegar sprays can kill spiders, but most scent-based solutions, such as those containing garlic and peppermint oil, work as a bug repellant. Store-bought sprays and chemical pesticides may be more potent, but natural solutions work just fine. However, some of these solutions aren’t safe for pets, so think about your furry friends before trying these DIY spider repellants and sprays.
Homemade Spider Sprays and How To Make Them
Very few home remedies kill spiders outright, but many DIY spider sprays act as deterrents, meaning they keep spiders from entering your home. Only one recipe on my list is an insecticide, while the rest are natural repellents.
If you have an active spider problem, don’t settle for home remedies. For serious pest issues, you should use a commercial insecticide or contact a pest control professional.
Homemade Spider Insecticide With Vinegar
Vinegar is an insecticide that uses acetic acid to kill bugs like ants or wasps. This spider-killer mixture uses a higher-than-average amount of vinegar and can be irritating, so avoid getting it on your skin and in your nose or eyes.
Supplies Needed
- White vinegar
- Dish soap
- Water
- Container for mixing
- Spray bottle
How To Make Spider Insecticide
Here are the steps:
Step 1: Measure water and vinegar
The first step to making a DIY spider insecticide is measuring equal parts water and white vinegar. I suggest starting with one cup of each.
Step 2: Mix the liquids together
The next step is simply mixing the liquids together in a container.
Step 3: Add dish soap to the liquid
Add one tablespoon of standard dish soap for every two cups of liquid.
Step 4: Fill a spray bottle with the mixture and use it to kill spiders
Spray this solution directly onto spiders and near spider living spaces (cobwebs, cracks, and dark wall corners).
Peppermint Oil Spider Repellent Spray
One of the most popular homemade spray recipes combines peppermint essential oil and water. While many may be skeptical about the efficacy of this spray, the Entomological Society of America confirms that peppermint oil can repel spiders.
Supplies Needed
- Peppermint extract (essential oil)
- Dish soap
- Water
- Mixing container
- Spray bottle (glass is preferable)
How To Make Peppermint Oil Spider Repellent
Here’s what you do:
Step 1: Measure the ingredients
Add 5 to 10 drops of peppermint oil to 2 cups of water.
Step 2: Add dish soap to the mixture
Add one tablespoon of dish soap to your mixture, and you’re all done.
Step 3: Pour solution into a spray bottle and use
Add the solution to a glass spray bottle, since peppermint oil degrades plastic over time. Plastic is fine if you’re going to use all of the oil immediately.
Apply this solution to any location where spiders live, such as doorframes, windowsills, baseboards, crevices, closets, spiderwebs, and cracks.
Reapply once a month for best results.
Beware: this peppermint solution is not pet friendly. Peppermint oil can make dogs and cats sick if they eat it or if it gets on their skin. Since this is not a safe bug spray for pets, don’t use this peppermint spray if you have pets in your home.
To make this solution safer for pets, you can also substitute peppermint oil with other essential oils, such as tea tree oil.
Garlic Extract Spider Deterrent
When combined with water and soap, garlic extract makes for another effective DIY insect repellent.
However, it’s important to note that, like peppermint oil, garlic extract is poisonous to cats and dogs if ingested. Garlic contains disulfides and thiosulphates, and these chemical compounds damage your pet’s red blood cells when consumed. While garlic poisoning in pets is rarely fatal, I still don’t recommend using this mixture if you have pets.
Supplies Needed
- Four garlic cloves
- Dish soap
- One quart-sized container (or larger)
- Food processor or mortar and pestle
- Mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Spray bottle
How To Make Garlic Extract Spider Deterrent
Here are the steps:
Step 1: Turn your garlic into paste
Puree four garlic cloves in a food processor or by using a mortar and pestle.
Step 2: Add/infuse garlic into your water
Add the garlic paste to a quart of water and let sit for one day (24 hours).
Step 3: Remove garlic residue from the water
After the water is infused with the garlic, strain it through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
Step 4: Mix in the rest of the ingredients
Add your garlic concentrate to a large spray bottle along with an additional two cups of water and a tablespoon of dish soap.
Step 5: Use your garlic spider spray in problem areas
Spray the solution around any areas that spiders may use to access your home, such as doors and windows.
While effective for repelling spiders, this spray is not long-lasting and must be reapplied once every two weeks.
Homemade Spider Traps
It can be difficult to find spiders and remove them since they’re great at hiding. One way around this is to build some spider traps to catch them while they’re out and about. There are plenty of effective store-bought spider traps you can use, but there are also some all-natural, DIY traps that work just as well.
Homemade Sticky Trap
A sticky trap is one of the most effective make-at-home traps for spider control. All you need is a thin cardboard sheet (like the side of a shoebox or cereal box), an adhesive, and a place to put the trap.
Supplies Needed
- Cardboard sheet (used is fine)
- Adhesive (double-sided tape is preferable)
How To Make a Homemade Sticky Trap for Spiders
Here are the steps:
Step 1: Cut the cardboard
For the cardboard sheet, take a thin cardboard box and cut out a 2-inch by 4-inch section (or as many sections as you want for multiple traps).
Step 2: Apply adhesive
Completely coat one side of the cardboard with your adhesive. If you’re using double-sided tape, apply it to the cardboard and wait to peel off the protective paper until after you’re ready to place it down.
Step 3: Set the trap
Once the trap is finished, place it near entry points or places where you’ve seen spider activity. Locations with warm water, such as under kitchen sinks or in bathrooms, are likely your best bet.
Also place traps along baseboards and behind furniture. By hiding traps here, you can keep them out of the way of your pets and children.
Step 4: Dispose of the trap
Once your trap is placed, check it every few days and dispose of it once it’s full of spiders. If you don’t see anything right away, don’t be discouraged. Most spiders are ambush predators, staying in one spot for extended periods, so it may take a bit before they wander into your trap.
If you feel the trap isn’t working, try adding a water source to it by placing a bottle cap filled with water in the center. Otherwise, carefully pick it up by the corners, fold it in half, and place it in the garbage.
Natural Spider Repellents
Beyond sprays and traps, plenty of natural substances repel spiders. Below are some of your best options for natural spider repellants.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth repels and kills many pests. You can sprinkle a narrow line along the outside of your home or around your garden, shed, or driveway. On the plus side, it’s safe to use around pets, children, and humans.
Basil
Basil, a delicious herb in cooking, is also an effective spider repellent. You can grow basil plants along the sides of your doorways or in flower beds under your windows to help prevent spiders. Basil is also nontoxic to dogs and cats.
Basil is one of the most potent pest-repelling plants, and it’s super easy to grow.
Lavender
If you’re looking for herbs that are both beautiful and spider-stopping, look no further than English lavender. This plant fills the air with a scent that naturally repels spiders and smells great to most humans.
However, be sure to watch your pets with this plant, as lavender contains a chemical called linalool, which can be toxic to dogs and cats if eaten in large amounts.
Mint
Instead of using mint oil or extract, why not tap into the source? Mint plants work well as a natural spider stopper. Spiders (and many other types of insects and rodents) hate peppermint, so its smell will keep them at a distance.
Remember that all parts of the mint plant are toxic to cats and dogs, so keep your furry friends away from them.
Final Thoughts on Homemade Spider Sprays
Few homeowners enjoy sharing their spaces with creepy crawlies. While spiders are valuable members of our ecosystem, they’re unwelcome guests in most homes. Still, there are plenty of excellent DIY pest control methods to keep these creatures outside and eliminate them if they find their way indoors. Use the tips above to keep spiders away with homemade remedies.
However, if you keep seeing these pests around your home, it may be time to call an exterminator for spiders. With highly venomous spiders, your best bet is to hire pest control or exterminators to assess the hazard and provide professional help.
FAQs About Homemade Spider Spray
Can I customize my homemade spider spray ingredients?
Absolutely. You can experiment with different essential oils to find scents that you personally prefer. Some people find success with a combination of oils.
Where should I use homemade spider spray?
Spray the homemade mixture around entry points, windowsills, corners, baseboards, closets, basements, and other areas where spiders may enter or hide. Focus on spaces where you’ve noticed spider activity.
What are some common ingredients used in homemade spider spray?
Common ingredients in homemade spider spray include essential oils such as peppermint, tea tree, citrus (lemon, orange), and eucalyptus. Vinegar, water, and dish soap are also often used.
Are natural spider sprays better for the environment?
Yes, homemade spider sprays are better for the environment because they don’t use harsh chemicals.
Is homemade spider spray safe for pets and children?
Homemade spider sprays made with natural ingredients are usually safer for pets and children than chemical-based sprays. However, some sprays can be harmful to pets depending on their ingredients. For example, peppermint oil can be toxic to pets, so don’t use that solution if you have pets in the home.
