Are you tired of dealing with creepy spiders in your home but hesitant to use harsh chemicals? If so, you’re in luck. In this blog post, we’ll explore a variety of natural spider repellents that can help you keep spiders at bay, focusing on what smell do spiders hate.
From essential oils to DIY sprays, we’ll discuss effective methods to keep your home spider-free, debunk common myths, and provide safety tips for using these natural alternatives. So sit back and let’s discover how to make your home less inviting to these eight-legged uninvited guests.
What Smell Do Spiders Hate? – Short Summary
Scents such as vinegar, peppermint, citrus, lavender, and clove essential oils can effectively repel spiders away from your home.
DIY Spider Repellent Sprays are a safe and natural way to keep spiders away from the home.
The Power of Scents: How Aromas Can Repel Spiders
While scents may not be as reliable as physical deterrents in repelling spiders, they can still be effective in making spiders hate their environment, and can be a great way to keep spiders away while you’re sleeping! Aroma-based repellents work by impacting spiders’ senses, making their environment unpleasant and decreasing the likelihood of them remaining in the vicinity. But how can you effectively use scents to repel spiders?
Vinegar spray, essential oils, and the planting of trees and herbs that act as natural spider repellents can be utilized. To increase the effectiveness of these aroma-based methods, it is suggested to seal the house appropriately, inspect door openings and windowsills, and apply caulk and weather stripping to any crevices and openings to keep house spiders away.
In the following sections, we will explore some of the top smells that spiders dislike, along with DIY spider-repellent sprays and other natural deterrents that can help you maintain a spider-free home.
Top Smells That Spiders Dislike
Let’s dive into the most effective scents that spiders hate, which can be used to keep them away from your home. Some of these scents include:
- Vinegar
- Peppermint essential oil
- Citrus essential oil
- Lavender essential oil
- Eucalyptus essential oil
- Clove essential oil
These powerful aromas can deter spiders and prevent them from spinning their spider webs in your living spaces.
Using these scents not only repels spiders, including wolf spiders but also serves as a great way to keep them away without having to use harsh chemicals.
Peppermint Oil For Spiders
Peppermint oil, with its strong, minty aroma, has been proven to be an effective repellent for spiders. A study published in PubMed found peppermint essential oil to be successful in keeping away spiders from two spider families. The ability of the essential oil to repel these spiders was clearly established. Many people assert that peppermint oil is effective as a spider repellent.
To use peppermint oil in repelling spiders, it is suggested to mix 10 to 15 drops of essential oil in water and disperse it throughout the residence. Our own experience with peppermint oil involved adding a few drops of dish soap and water and spraying it around the storage shed on a biweekly basis. Peppermint oil can also deter ants and crickets.
Not only does peppermint oil repel spiders, but it also contains insect-repelling compounds such as:
- menthol
- menthone
- iso menthone
- limonene
- b-pinene
So, if you’re looking for a natural remedy to keep spiders and other creepy crawlies away, give peppermint oil a try.
Citrus Essential Oils
Citrus essential oils, such as lemon and orange, can repel spiders due to their acidic nature and scent. To utilize citrus essential oils to deter spiders, you can drip 10 to 15 drops of oil into water and create a spray to sprinkle inside your home or rub lemon or orange peel along window sills, bookshelves, door frames, and skirting boards.
Essential oils derived from citrus fruits that are effective for repelling spiders include:
- Lemon
- Lime
- Green mandarin
- Orange
- Grapefruit
- Bergamot
- Tangerine
Another effective citrus-based essential oil is citronella, a well-known mosquito repellent that has been demonstrated to be effective against spiders due to its intense citrus aroma.
By incorporating citrus essential oils in your spider-repelling efforts, you can create a fresh, pleasant-smelling environment in your home while keeping those eight-legged arachnids at bay.
Lavender, Eucalyptus, and Clove Essential Oils
Lavender, eucalyptus, and clove essential oils can also help repel spiders due to their strong odor and insect-repelling compounds. The Lavender essential oil contains compounds such as:
- linalyl acetate
- limonene
- lavandulyl acetate
- 1,8-cineole
These compounds have been identified as insect repellents.
Eucalyptus essential oil, on the other hand, contains compounds like cineole, a-terpineol, ()-limonene, piperitone, a-pinene, and caryophyllene, which may repel insects. The pungent fragrance of clove essential oil can also be used to repel spiders, and combining it with other essential oils, such as peppermint, has been shown to be the most effective approach.
By incorporating lavender, eucalyptus, and clove essential oils into your spider-repelling regimen, you can create a multi-faceted, aromatic defense against these unwelcome intruders.
DIY Spider-Repellent Sprays
If you prefer to create your own spider-repellent sprays using essential oils and other natural ingredients, it’s pretty simple to do so. To make a DIY Spider-Repellent Spray, combine twenty drops of essential oil with a 32-ounce spray bottle of water, and optionally, dish soap.
To use your homemade spider-repellent spray, apply it to the edges of the room, near entrances, along the edges of walls, floorboards, and any other area that spiders may inhabit. Alternatively, you can soak a cotton ball with the mixture and place it around corners to keep spiders at bay.
By creating and utilizing DIY Spider-Repellent Sprays, you can take control of the ingredients and scents that work best for your home, ensuring a safe, natural, and effective way to keep spiders away.
Other Natural Spider Deterrents
In addition to essential oils and DIY sprays, there are other natural spider deterrents that can help you maintain a spider-free home. Diatomaceous Earth, for example, is a dust-like substance composed of fossilized remains of diatoms, an algae. It functions by drying out spiders and making their skin uncomfortable, but for it to be effective, spiders must be exposed and traverse through the substance. Be sure to take caution when utilizing Diatomaceous Earth to prevent dust inhalation and purchase food-grade quality.
Cedar blocks and chips have also been proven effective in eliminating spiders and other bugs. Another option to consider is the use of horse chestnuts, which have been observed to drive spiders away.
By incorporating these additional natural spider deterrents into your spider-repelling arsenal, you can further protect your home from these unwelcome guests while minimizing your reliance on harsh chemicals.
We’ve also tested out some of the following DIY spider repellents:
Precautions When Using Essential Oils and Natural Repellents
While essential oils and natural repellents offer a gentler alternative to chemical-based solutions, it’s important to exercise caution when utilizing them. Essential oils are composed of highly concentrated compounds and chemicals, so be sure to follow proper guidelines for dilution and application to avoid any adverse effects.
When using Diatomaceous Earth, it’s crucial to prevent dust inhalation by mixing it with water when applying. Also, make sure to purchase food-grade Diatomaceous Earth to ensure its safety for use around your home.
By being mindful of the precautions when using essential oils and natural repellents, you can protect your home from spiders while ensuring the safety and well-being of your family and pets.
Maintaining a Spider-Free Home
One of the most effective ways to discourage spiders from entering your home is to maintain tidiness by promptly disposing of crumbs and thoroughly cleaning the kitchen after each use. Give particular consideration to the corners of ceilings when cleaning, as this is where spiders often build their webs. Additionally, check for water sources, potential hiding spots such as piles of newspapers or cardboard packages, and uncovered pet food containers to make your residence less appealing to spiders.
Lessening clutter is vital in spider prevention, as it provides concealing spots and areas for spiders to construct webs. Organizing your home can be of assistance in preventing spiders, as they are inclined to dark and cluttered areas. Cleaning prior to utilizing spider repellents restricts spiders to areas where they will not be visible.
By maintaining a clean and organized home, you’ll not only create a more pleasant living environment for yourself but also make it less inviting for spiders and other pests to take up residence.
Outdoor Spider Prevention Tips
To prevent spiders from entering your home, it’s essential to maintain the exterior of your house as well. Here are some steps you can take.
- Seal gaps or cracks in the foundation or walls with caulk.
- Use weatherstripping to seal any openings in window and door screens.
- Sustain a neat exterior of the house to prevent spiders and other insects from entering.
- Be mindful of shrubs, trees, and vines that attain a size sufficiently large to make contact with the exterior of the house, as they can act as a conduit for spiders to gain access to the interior of the residence.
Also, eliminate clutter such as stacked firewood and other construction materials around the outside of your home, as these can attract spiders. By taking care of your yard and exterior spaces, you can create a barrier that helps keep spiders and other insects away from your home.
Common Myths About Spider Repellents
There are several common myths about spider repellents that may lead to confusion and ineffective prevention efforts. One such myth is the belief that natural plant products can repel spiders, even though there is no evidence to suggest that spiders can even smell them. Another myth is the efficacy of peppermint oil in repelling spiders, which has been reported to be inconclusive.
Chestnut, lemon oil, and peppermint oil have been studied as potential spider repellents, yet the results are inconclusive. Additionally, perimeter pest control is often believed to be an effective method of repelling spiders, yet this is a misconception.
By debunking these myths and relying on proven methods, you can avoid wasting time and resources on ineffective spider repellents and focus on what truly works.
Final Thoughts On What Smell Do Spiders Hate:
In conclusion, utilizing a combination of essential oils, DIY sprays, and other natural spider deterrents can provide a safe and effective means of keeping spiders at bay in your home. By taking precautions when using these methods, maintaining a clean and organized home, and addressing outdoor spider prevention, you’ll create an environment that is less inviting to spiders and other pests.
Stay diligent in your spider-repelling efforts, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a spider-free home. I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide on what smell do spiders hate and it helps with your spider infestation!
Resources:
https://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/spiders/anatomy/spideranatomy.htm
Frequently Asked Questions
What odors keep spiders away?
Spiders dislike strong smells such as citrus, peppermint essential oil, tea tree, lavender, rose or cinnamon.
A combination of essential oils and products like Zoflora Concentrated Multipurpose Disinfectant can be used to eliminate odors and keep spiders away from your home.
What do spiders hate smelling?
Spiders strongly dislike strong scents such as citrus, peppermint, tea tree, lavender, rose or cinnamon. These smells can be used in the form of essential oils and products such as Zoflora to help deter them.
Vinegar, mint, cayenne pepper, and diatomaceous earth (DE) are also known to keep spiders away.
What kills spiders instantly?
Vinegar is an effective solution for getting rid of spiders, as its acetic acid is quite volatile to them. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and spray it directly onto any spiders you see – the acidic nature of the vinegar will kill them on contact.
What are the most effective essential oils for repelling spiders?
Peppermint, citrus (lemon and orange), lavender, eucalyptus, and clove essential oils have been found to be the most effective for repelling spiders.
How can I create a DIY spider-repellent spray?
To create a DIY spider-repellent spray, mix 20 drops of essential oil with a 32-ounce bottle of water and, if desired, dish soap.
