Quick answer Mix 15–20 drops of peppermint essential oil in 1 cup of water with a few drops of dish soap. Spray along baseboards, windowsills, doorways, and corners weekly. Vacuum existing webs (don’t brush them). Seal gaps around windows and doors. Reduce insects near lights and drains. Most homes see fewer spiders within 2–4 weeks when these steps are combined.
Key takeaways
- Most house spiders are harmless and reduce other pests — targeted control beats total elimination
- Spiders follow food: fix insects and entry points, or webs often return
- Peppermint spray is a useful short-term barrier — reapply weekly; keep away from cats
- Sealing cracks and screens prevents entry better than any spray alone
- Black widows and brown recluses need a professional — don’t DIY those
Most house spiders are harmless and actually beneficial — they prey on flies, mosquitoes, and other insects. The goal for most households is reducing populations and preventing entry, not total elimination. If you have dangerous species (black widow, brown recluse) or a severe infestation, more aggressive action is warranted.
Why spiders keep coming back
Spiders enter homes to hunt other insects and to seek warmth. If webs return in the same corners after you spray or vacuum, you almost certainly still have a prey population large enough to support them. Address the prey and the predator follows.
Common attractants: flies, moths, and gnats; outdoor lighting that draws insects to doors; clutter that gives undisturbed hiding spots; foundation and frame gaps; and wood piles stored against the house.
Spider activity indoors by month
Identify your spider first
Most spiders in UK and North American homes are harmless. Two species warrant serious caution. Use this quick ID before you decide on DIY vs a pro. For broader bug ID, see the insect identification guide.
| Spider | Markings | Where | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black widow | Black; red hourglass under | Garages, woodpiles | Dangerous — call a pro |
| Brown recluse | Brown; violin mark | S/central US, boxes | Dangerous — call a pro |
| House spider | Brown/tan; plain | Corners, ceilings | Harmless — reduce |
| Cellar spider | Long legs; pale body | Basements, garages | Harmless — relocate |
| Wolf spider | Large, hairy, fast | Floors, under furniture | Harmless — release |
| Jumping spider | Compact; large eyes | Walls, sunny windows | Harmless — leave |
Dangerous vs common: marks to check
Which method should you use?
Use this comparison before diving into recipes. Sealing and prey control win long-term; sprays buy speed.
| Method | Best for | Cost | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seal entry points | Repeat spiders (2–4 wks) | $20–80 | Safe |
| Control other insects | Ongoing webs (2–4 wks) | $0–40 | Safe |
| Peppermint spray | Fast frame deterrent (1–2 days) | $5–15 | Not cats |
| Food-grade DE | Baseboard paths (3–5 days) | $8–20 | Thin layer; no dust clouds |
| Vacuum webs | Clear webs/eggs now | Free | Safe |
| Yellow outdoor bulbs | Doors/garage draw (1–2 wks) | $10–40 | Safe |
Renters: prioritize sealing, vacuuming, and spray. Homes with cats: skip peppermint in accessible zones.
9 natural methods to get rid of spiders
Method 1: Peppermint oil spray
Spiders are highly sensitive to strong essential oil scents. Peppermint is the most widely used natural option.
Recipe: Mix 15–20 drops of pure peppermint essential oil in 1 cup of water with 5 drops of dish soap. Shake and spray along baseboards, windowsills, door frames, and corners where webs appear. Reapply every 7 days.
Method 2: Remove webs with a vacuum
Vacuuming kills spiders and egg sacs. Brushing mostly relocates them. Hit corners, ceiling edges, window frames, and behind furniture weekly. Empty the canister into a sealed bag outside immediately.
Method 3: Food-grade diatomaceous earth
Apply a thin, barely visible layer of food-grade DE along baseboards and travel paths. It dehydrates spiders on contact. Thick piles are less effective — spiders walk around them. Wear a mask when applying and keep pets away from dusty clouds. The same dry-barrier approach helps with other crawlies such as silverfish.
Method 4: Vinegar contact spray
White vinegar (acetic acid) kills spiders on direct contact. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Spray spiders you see and wipe activity zones. It does not create a lasting barrier — use it as a contact tool. Avoid natural stone (etching risk).
Method 5: Seal entry points
Spiders squeeze through small gaps around frames and utility pipes. Caulk visible gaps, repair screens, and install door sweeps. One afternoon of sealing usually beats months of spraying.
Common spider entry points
Window frames
Ageing caulk & torn screens
Door gaps
Bottom sweep & frame gaps
Pipe entries
Gaps where pipes enter walls
Foundation cracks
Ground-level brickwork gaps
Outdoor lights
Attract insects spiders follow
Delivered boxes
Spiders & eggs hitchhike in
Method 6: Cedar
Spiders dislike cedar’s aromatic oils. Place cedar blocks or balls in wardrobes, under furniture, and in storage. Cedar mulch near the foundation can help at ground level. Sand or replace blocks yearly as the scent fades.
Method 7: Reduce outdoor lighting attractants
White outdoor bulbs pull flying insects — and spiders follow that buffet to your doors. Switch to yellow or sodium-vapour bulbs, or use motion lights instead of all-night lighting.
Method 8: Declutter and remove habitat
Spiders thrive in undisturbed clutter — floor boxes, dense shelving, behind appliances. Clear basements, attics, garages, and storage. Move firewood away from the house. Thin dense ground cover against the foundation.
Method 9: Control other insects
Spiders follow food. Fix drain issues (fruit flies), seal food sources (ants), and repair screens (flying insects). When prey drops, spider pressure usually drops with it — without chasing every spider you see.
Action plan (do this in order)
Do this in order
Sequence matters more than doing every method at once.
Cut the insect food supply — drains, screens, lights, and open food.
Seal entry points — caulk, screens, door sweeps.
Vacuum webs and egg sacs — clear the current population.
Apply barriers — peppermint (cat-safe zones only) and/or thin DE.
Switch outdoor bulbs and declutter storage zones.
Maintain monthly — light spray, vacuum corners, check seals.
Expect visible improvement in 2–4 weeks when you change the conditions that support spiders — not from a one-day spray alone.
Prevention tips
- Spray peppermint solution around entry points monthly (where pets allow)
- Keep a thin DE line along basement and garage baseboards; refresh after mopping
- Inspect boxes and furniture brought in from outside or storage
- Use yellow outdoor bulbs near doors and garage entries
- Vacuum weekly in corners, ceiling edges, and behind furniture
Frequently asked questions
What smell do spiders hate most?
Peppermint oil is the most consistently effective spider repellent scent. Cinnamon, tea tree, lavender, and citrus also deter spiders. Reapply weekly as these scents fade quickly.
Does vinegar kill spiders?
White vinegar (acetic acid) kills spiders on direct contact. It does not repel spiders from an area long-term — use it as a contact spray rather than your only prevention tool. Avoid natural stone surfaces.
Why do I suddenly have lots of spiders in my house?
Spider activity peaks in autumn (September–October) as males search for mates and seek warmth before winter. It is seasonal and often eases within a few weeks. Fix entry points now to reduce next season’s influx.
Are house spiders dangerous?
Most house spiders in North America and the UK are harmless. The medically significant exceptions are black widows and brown recluses. Wolf spiders, common house spiders, and cellar spiders are not.
Should I kill spiders in my house?
Most spiders are beneficial insect hunters. Unless you have a severe infestation or a dangerous species, reducing numbers and blocking entry is usually better than trying to wipe them out completely.
Do spiders mean I have other bugs?
Often yes. Persistent indoor spiders usually mean a reliable prey supply — flies, gnats, moths, or other insects near lights, drains, or damp spots. Fix that first.
