The best way to get rid of spiders without pesticides is to make your home unwelcoming: seal the cracks they enter through, cut off the insect prey they’re hunting, and remove webs and clutter where they shelter. This works better than spraying anyway — spiders walk on the tips of their legs and pick up little surface residue, so chemicals are among the least effective tools against them.
Key Takeaways
- Exclusion comes first — seal gaps, fix screens, and close entry points around pipes and doors.
- Cut off their food — fewer insects means fewer spiders, since spiders follow prey.
- Change outdoor lighting — bright white bulbs draw insects (and the spiders that eat them).
- Remove webs and declutter — vacuum webs, egg sacs, and the spiders themselves.
- Most spiders are harmless and helpful — you rarely need to kill them at all.
First, the honest part: most spiders are good for you
Before you wage war, know that the vast majority of house spiders are harmless and genuinely beneficial — they eat flies, mosquitoes, roaches, and other pests inside your home. In most of the U.S., only a couple of species are medically significant (black widows and, in some regions, brown recluses), and even those bite rarely and defensively (University of California IPM: Spiders). For the average spider on your wall, catch-and-release outdoors is often the most sensible “control” of all.
That said, if you want fewer spiders indoors, here’s how to do it without chemicals.
Step 1: Seal them out (exclusion)
Spiders get in through the same gaps insects do. Close those, and you stop both:
- Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and where pipes and cables enter the house.
- Add or repair weatherstripping and door sweeps — the gap under a door is a highway.
- Fix torn window screens and cover vents with fine mesh.
- Caulk gaps along baseboards, in the foundation, and around utility penetrations.
This is the single highest-impact step, and it lasts far longer than any spray.
Step 2: Cut off their food supply
Spiders are predators — they go where the insects are. Reduce the prey and the spiders follow:
- Reduce indoor insects generally (crumbs, standing water, and other pests’ food).
- Swap bright white outdoor bulbs for yellow “bug” lights or warm LEDs, which attract far fewer insects to your doors and windows — and therefore fewer spiders.
- Keep outdoor lights off when not needed, or move them away from entry points.
Step 3: Remove webs, egg sacs, and shelter
Make the indoor and perimeter environment inhospitable:
- Vacuum up spiders, webs, and egg sacs directly — it’s fast, chemical-free, and removes the next generation. Empty the canister or bag outside.
- Knock down webs around eaves, corners, and porches regularly; spiders often rebuild elsewhere or move on.
- Declutter garages, basements, and storage areas, and store items in sealed bins instead of open boxes — clutter is prime spider shelter.
- Keep firewood, mulch, and vegetation away from the foundation, since these harbor spiders right next to the house.
Step 4: Optional natural deterrents (manage expectations)
You’ll see peppermint, vinegar, and citrus recommended everywhere. The evidence is thin and any effect is short-lived, so treat these as a minor, optional layer — not a solution. The same goes for spider repellents and ultrasonic plug-ins, which lack solid support. Your effort pays off far more in sealing and prey reduction.
What about tools instead of chemicals?
Two non-pesticide products genuinely help:
- Spider catchers let you remove a spider humanely and release it outside.
- Glue/sticky traps catch wandering, ground-roaming spiders along walls and help you see where they travel.
And if you’re weighing the chemical options, know their limits: spider sprays are only modestly effective, and spider “bombs”/foggers barely reach spiders at all.
When you should be cautious
If you have a confirmed black widow or brown recluse problem — especially in regions where recluses are established — take more care: wear gloves when moving stored items, shake out shoes and clothing, and consider professional help for a significant infestation. For everyday house spiders, exclusion and removal are all you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What keeps spiders away naturally?
Sealing entry points, reducing indoor insects, switching to yellow outdoor lighting, and regularly removing webs and clutter. These exclusion-and-prey-reduction steps keep spiders away far more reliably than scent-based home remedies like peppermint or vinegar.
Does peppermint oil really repel spiders?
The evidence is weak and short-lived. Peppermint and similar oils may deter spiders modestly for a while, but they won’t fix an infestation and need constant reapplication. Sealing gaps and cutting off prey work much better.
Why do I have spiders if my house is clean?
Spiders follow food, not dirt. If insects are getting in — often drawn by outdoor lighting or entering through gaps — spiders will come to hunt them. Reducing insects and sealing entry points addresses the real cause.
Is it better to kill spiders or remove them?
For the harmless house spiders that make up the vast majority, catch-and-release outdoors is the most sensible option — they help control other pests. Reserve stronger measures for confirmed dangerous species like black widows or brown recluses.