While they seldom cause harm to humans, spiders are annoying pests that can be hard to control, especially if they have set up nests around your property. When their population is large, insecticides may not be entirely the sole solution.
Sometimes, you have to rely on other spider repellents and often don't need to be chemical-based. Many homeowners may not realize, but there are quite a few plants that deter spiders.
What are the plant varieties that help keep these invaders at bay? Below are some of mother nature's gifts that are known to have insecticide-like actions. The unique properties of these remedies will lead spiders to other directions as they simultaneously spruce up your gardens.
Basil isn't only a culinary herb; this fragrant plant also helps repel mosquitoes, houseflies, ants, and spiders. You can grow a basil plant in a pot and place it around areas where you see most pests, or you can use your fresh basil to make an insect repellent spray.
To prepare one, dry fresh basil leaves in vodka for a few weeks. Then, strain and sprinkle your doors, kitchen windows, and anyplace that spiders frequently lurk.
If you’re keen on avoiding toxic chemicals, lavender is a safe and effective alternative. The scent of lavender deters spiders and other insects, so keeping a pot of it inside your home or on your patio can help prevent them from visiting.
Growing a lavender plant inside your home can be a bit tricky, so make sure to place it in a spot where there's plenty of sunlight and air. Aside from its repelling power, it's one of the best medicinal herbs to grow and also spread a lovely scent in the air when the wind blows.
If you're looking for an easy way to keep spiders out of your home, mint, one of the most widely known spider repellent plants, is an excellent option. All varieties of the mint plant, be it spearmint, pennyroyal, or peppermint plant, help ward off spiders with its strong aromatic smell.
You can place the plant near your doors, windows, and patio to prevent spiders from getting in. You can also opt to sprinkle leaves or sachets of dried mint around your property. Alternatively, you can mix peppermint oil with water and place it in a spray bottle. Spray it under the window sill or around the door.
Another way to naturally get rid of spiders is by growing rosemary. Spiders find rosemary displeasing and leave it alone, which makes it an excellent deterrent. It's considered a perennial in many climes, and it grows well in pots. Try keeping a pot of rosemary in spaces that have spider problems.
Lemon balm has a delightfully fresh scent adored by humans but hated by spiders, mosquitoes, fruit flies, and fungus gnats. Not only does it deter pesky pests, but it's also great to keep it in your kitchen as it's a great addition to salads, marinades, and tea.
The best thing about lemon balm is that it's easy to grow and difficult to kill (it typically produces well for 3 to 4 years before needing to be replaced). With well-draining soil and sunlight, almost anyone can grow it. When pruned regularly to encourage growth, a lemon balm plant can grow 24 to 36 inches tall.
Citronella, also called mosquito plant geranium, is best known as a mosquito repellent. But it's not only effective at repelling mosquitoes. It also works well to drive away flying insects, which spiders love to feast on. Its smell, on the other hand, is the best defense against spiders.
You can place this indoor plant in your home's entryways or make a spider repellant spray with a combination of water, citronella oil, and lemon soap. You can also add a couple of drops of citronella essential oil to your air filters or keep a citronella candle.
If you prefer to grow it, keep in mind that the plant doesn't do well in winters, especially in chilly areas. If you stay in a place with cold winters, you should grow citronella grass in containers to bring it indoors during the winter.
Eucalyptus has a powerful smell, so it's not surprising that it's excellent at repelling spiders, bugs, and insects. If you prefer to grow it inside your home, choose the dwarf varieties.
The plant adapts to most potting mixes, and you'll need to feed it using liquid food. Regularly water it once a week, as eucalyptus can’t tolerate over or under-watering.
Also called "mums," chrysanthemums contain an insect repelling compound called pyrethrins, an ingredient in many natural pesticides. Mums need to be grown in a spot where there's sunlight, but it can't be too bright, or the houseplant will stop blossoming.
The flowers, not the leaves, allow the repellent to go against these spiders. So when a flower dies back, eliminate the dead blossom to help more flowers to come out. That's called deadheading.
If you’re looking to prevent spiders, then plant onions. It's best to grow it in your garden, as it also deters spider mite and its most common species, the red spider mite, which feeds off plants’ nutrients, turning leaves yellow and stunting growth.
If you like to place it inside your home, put onion slices in a bowl of water and place the bowl where spiders frequently visit. The sulfur component in onions is also great at repelling insects.
Spiders detest the citrus smell that comes from lemons or oranges. If you can’t grow huge citrus trees due to insufficient space, you can grow dwarf citrus trees outside on a deck or porch and within as an ornamental plant.
Some state that leaving lemon or orange peels around repels spiders. You can also rub lemon peels on baseboards and around window panes to keep spiders away.
Marigolds' unique scent is effective at repelling insect pests: spiders, lice, ants, mosquitoes, and asparagus beetles, to name some. You can cultivate the plant in your garden bed with soil that is moderately fertile and well-drained or grow it in a container (use a soil-based potting mix if you pot marigolds in a container).
Remember to water it frequently during heat waves and let the compost dry out between watering. Aside from being an effective repellent, it also adds a splash of color to your garden or porch.
Dill doesn't have an overpowering scent, but it's effective at keeping the spiders at bay. This natural spider repellent works best where it’s planted, so plant it in an area where you don't want spiders.
If you grow dill inside your home, make sure it has lots of light. Dill is fine with either hot or cold weather, which makes it very easy to grow. Dill is self-seeding, thrives in various poor soils, but requires a dirt mix that drains well. This plant can also be grown outdoors to prevent spider mites.
Lemon verbena is a spider repellent plant that also deters most bugs and pests. This plant emits a strong scent when its leaves are bruised or damaged. Because of the size, lemon verbena can be used as part of the landscaping.
Catnip is a kind of mint plant that also goes by the name of catmint. This herb has a euphoric impact on cats, but the plant also repels weevils, ants, squash bugs, Japanese beetle, aphids, flea beetles, and spiders by triggering a chemical receptor that spurs sensations such as pain or itch.
This is why these pests will elude yards with vast quantities of catnip in them. The downside to producing vast quantities of catnip around your house or inside it is drawing stray cats.
Lemon thyme makes an excellent addition to your herb or flower garden. This herb, which is quite versatile, is used in cooking but is also known for its attractive foliage.
Although lemon thyme may keep bugs like spiders at bay, it’s perceived to draw bees, which helps pollinate surrounding plants, so pick your spot for this plant carefully.
Keep your home neat and organized to avoid spider infestations. Removing the clutter in your house will give spiders fewer areas to hide. Ensure that food and beverages are always sealed so that they won’t attract other pests, which will attract spiders. Keep your floors free of food and liquid spillage, wipe down your surfaces, and vacuum regularly. You can even vacuum spiders, spider web, and spider egg sac.
Spiders can be dangerous, especially if you have children at home that they could bite.
Taking care and sustaining the plants mentioned above is a great initial step toward deterring spiders from taking residence on your property. However, relying on them may not be the most effective choice in exterminating the intruders. Let a pest control specialist take the lead.
At PermaKill Exterminating, we pride ourselves on our team of technicians, analysts, and exterminators that treat pest control as a science.
From the bugs’ behavior to the procedure of removal, we know to execute the job perfectly every single time. Contact PermaKill Exterminating today and schedule your free estimate.
Our company is affiliated with professional organizations and accreditations in the industry recognized in the state of New Jersey and the rest of the country:
