Very few people are happy when spiders take up residence in their home. With simple, homemade spider repellents, you can protect yourself from a spider infestation and keep the spiders out of your home.

 

Spiders can also be removed or repelled without harsh chemicals. There are some natural oils from herbs, plants and fruits whose odour spiders do not like. These include citrus fruits, lavender, peppermint, citronella, cinnamon, tea tree oil and cloves.

Pour a few drops of the desired essential oil into a spray bottle with water and a few drops of washing-up liquid. Spray the mixture on typical places where cobwebs are often found, usually around doors and windows, on the ceiling and in hidden cracks.
The natural spider spray has a pleasant scent for humans, is non-toxic and is therefore also suitable if children and pets live in the house.

Another effective anti-spider spray is a mixture of vinegar and coconut oil. Test before spraying, as too much coconut oil can leave stains.

Another spider repellent is obtained by soaking chewing tobacco in boiling water. After soaking, leave to cool and pour through a sieve. Mix the tobacco broth with liquid soap in a ratio of 2:1 and spray on cobwebs. The tobacco spider spray is not suitable if there are children or pets in the household. It also has a less pleasant odour, but is very effective.

In the garden you can spread whole chestnuts, orange peel and cloves in cracks where there are spiders.

To remove the spiders that have already settled in the house, you can vacuum them and their cobwebs with a hoover. Empty the hoover bag or container immediately and throw it in the rubbish bin. Small cracks and holes in window and door frames, plaster and walls that give spiders access should be sealed. As spiders like to live in dark hiding places, stacks of old wood and dense planting should be avoided, especially near windows and doors. The fewer spiders there are in the immediate vicinity, the more effectively the few that do find their way into the home can be warded off by natural means.