Spiders Are Out!
Lifestyle, Tips & Tricks

Spiders Are Out!

I hate spiders. Can’t stand them, can’t look at them, let alone have them in my house! But let’s face it, they exist and we’ll probably encounter them every once in a while. I usually spray my house with pesticides at the beginning of summer but realized that it worked on all insects except spiders (They’re actually “arachnids” not insects, go figure). So, I thought I should make my house a very unappealing place for them, by knowing what attracts them in the first place. Here are a few tricks I found very easy and useful to get rid of those intruders.

1. DIY Spider Repellent

I put this mixture to the test and can honestly say it works like a charm! All you have to do is put 2 cups of water in a spraying bottle, add to it 1/2 tsp of washing soap powder or liquid, and 10 to 15 drops of Eucalyptus, Peppermint, or Citrus oil. Spiders hate their smell the most.

Shake the bottle and spray the mixture directly on cobwebs, around the house entrances and windows, and most importantly on your plants! I sprayed it on my balcony plants and you won’t believe the result! So many tiny spiders suddenly started coming down the leaves. Shoo! It was creepy but satisfying to watch. Ever since I do this once a week, and sometimes use it to wipe the dust off around the house. I mean, it’s a spider repellent, with soap and a very pleasant aroma. Need I say more? Just remember it contains drops of oil so don’t use it on cloth furniture. Use it on wipeable surfaces.

2. White Vinegar

I already use white vinegar to clean surfaces around the house. Turns out it can also serve as organic pest control! The acetic acid it contains gives a sour odor that spiders are highly sensitive to. Mix equal portions of vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and spray around. But be careful, there are some surfaces that you shouldn’t use vinegar on. Here are a few:

  • Granite, marble, and quartz countertops. Acids make natural stones lose their shine.
  • Stone floor tiles. Natural stones don’t do well under acidic cleaners like vinegar and lemon.
  • Wood surfaces. It leaves watermarks and the acid might damage some wood finishes.

3. Organize Your Home

Do not give spiders a reason to stick around! Since they like dark, dusty, and cluttered spaces, keep your floors clear, organize your belongings neatly, and seal your storage areas perfectly. You also need to dust and vacuum often. They seek out sheltered places like woodpiles or leaves, and from there find ways into your home. I recently removed a pile of leaves on the terrace outside my kitchen and cleared the area out. A number of them ran out of their hiding place. Bottom line, the cleaner your house and outdoors, the fewer reasons you give spiders to stick around.

4. Cut Their Food Source

This comes in the form of other pests. For example, if you have a bad smell issue due to piping problems, you will see flies or other pests flying around. Fix such problems as soon as you can to avoid inviting spiders in. Several bugs are attracted to damp areas and moisture, hence the perfect hunting grounds for spiders in search of food. I cannot stress this enough, the cleaner and dryer your home, the fewer pests, the fewer spiders.

5. Keep Them Out

Try and keep them out in the first place. I know spiders can get in through anything, but you should simply do your part of the deal by making sure your house is sealed. Fix any openings, cracks, broken pipes, or holes spiders might be using to get inside.

There are plenty of ways to get rid of spiders, but I found those ideas to be pretty simple and effective. And if once in a while I find one of those creatures lurking around, I can always call out my husband for help, or use the broom in case he was not around and I really really had no other choice.

Voila! I would love to hear your feedback, and let me know what other tricks you have tried!