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10 Natural Ways to Keep Spiders Out of Your Home
Photo credit: bigstock
If you are like most people, you really hate and despise (not to mention fear) spiders. It almost seems as if it’s a part of our genes to be afraid of these (most times) tiny little creatures that seem to inhabit every little corner of our homes. The truth be told, spiders are terribly beneficial and we shouldn’t kill them simply because…..well, because we have issues.
Why should we bring out that rolled up newspaper and kill something that does so much good, when we can simply find ways to convince them to stay outside where they belong? There are plenty of all natural ways to keep spiders out and keep us from screaming every time we move a piece of furniture.
Take a look at the top 10 ways you can keep spiders out of your home and save those newspapers for the recycling bin.
1. Lemon rinds
Believe it or not, spiders are very sensitive to smell. They smell with all of their little feet (and they have 8 of them!) and there are some smells that they simply can’t stand, so they don’t want to hang around. Lemons are one of these. Don’t use the juice as this will attract ants, but rub the inside of the lemon peels around doorways, windowsills, and baseboards, anywhere you find spiders or places where you think spiders might be gaining entry to your home. Now you need to do this about every two weeks to keep them out but this is one remedy that works like a charm.
SEE ALSO: DIY Insect Traps: No Chemicals, No More Bugs, No Diseases!
2. Vinegar
As you probably already know, plain white vinegar has about a gazillion uses around the house and this is one of them. Fill a spray bottle with about a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar and spray everywhere you find spiders or place where you think they might be using as their own private entrances into your home. Find out other surprising uses of vinegar.
3. Peppermint oil
This is another scent that spiders dislike. To us, peppermint smells like sweet candy, to spiders, well, they don’t eat candy so who knows what they think it smells like, but the truth is they don’t like peppermint. Mix about 15 drops of peppermint essential oil mixed with about two cups of water in a spray bottle and spray away! Not only will this keep spiders away, but your house will smell fresh and clean!
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Photo credit: bigstock
4. Tobacco
Even spiders are smart enough to stay away from tobacco. Even if you are not a smoker, you can use this method. Simply add some tobacco to a spray bottle of water and let soak overnight. The next morning, spray as needed. Just don’t be surprised if you friends ask you when you started to smoke!
5. Cinnamon
Ok, so cinnamon is another one that smells great to us but not to spiders. It appears they have never had some warm cinnamon toast! Anyway, you don’t have to sprinkle cinnamon, but simply burn cinnamon scented candles. These candles are very inexpensive and easy to find. If for some reason you can’t find candles, you can use cinnamon oil and mix about 15 drops of cinnamon essential oil in 2 cups of water and spray everywhere. No matter which method you choose, spiders will stay out, and your house will smell like a giant bakery, which is not a bad thing.
6. Other essential oils
Besides peppermint and cinnamon, there are other smells that spiders dislike, including tea tree oil, neem oil, lavender, and eucalyptus oil. Spiders dislike just about anything that smells strong so there are a wide variety of essential oils you can use.
7. Spider proof the house
There is another way to keep spiders out and that is to seal up the places where they get in. This means installing door sweeps on the bottoms of your doors if you don’t have them already, and installing weather stripping around doors and windows. You can also seal up window and door screens for extra protection. Don’t forget vents and basement windows. Seal up basement windows with silicone caulk and put mosquito nets around vents. If you have a fireplace, close the flue when not in use.
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8. Coconut oil
Spiders don’t seem to like coconut either for some reason. Whatever their reason, this is another great all natural spider repellant that works well. Mix one part of coconut oil with two parts of water in a spray bottle and spray this mixture in all areas where you find spiders.
9. Trees
Some plants and trees can also be natural spider repellants. Spiders don’t like eucalyptus at all so if you plant some of these trees around your property, there is an excellent chance that spiders won’t come near your house at all, they will just go next door. Eucalyptus trees are low maintenance that smells as good as they look. Read about eucalyptus oil benefits too.
10. Cedar
This is another scent that spiders dislike. You can use cedar mulch all around the outside of your home to keep it looking nice and spider free at the same time. Add some cedar blocks to your closets and cupboards to convince them to stay out of there also. You can also plant some cedar trees if you have a big enough yard. If eucalyptus is too strong a scent for your liking, try cedar. It has a pleasant woodsy smell that many people enjoy but will send spiders hiking.
