How To Get Rid Of Spiders Permanently

So, there I was, at three in the morning, bleary-eyed and in desperate need of a glass of water. I shuffled into the kitchen, flipped on the light, and came face-to-face with the biggest, hairiest spider I have ever seen, just chilling on the wall next to the tap. We stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, and I have to admit—I blinked first. I didn't scream, but I did squeak, and I certainly didn't get that water.

That little (okay, not little) encounter sent me on a mission. Sound familiar? If you’re nodding along, you know the feeling: that creepy-crawly paranoia that makes you check every corner before you go to bed. But let’s be real—spiders are actually helpful little pest-control ninjas. Still, I knew I couldn’t live with that particular roommate. So, how do you get rid of them permanently? Or at least, permanently-ish?

Step 1: Stop Being So Hasty with the Kill

I know, I know—your first instinct is to squash or spray. But here’s the ironic twist: killing a spider inside your house is like hiring a bouncer and then firing him on the first night. You kill one, and a dozen more are just waiting to move in. The real trick is prevention, not revenge.

Think of your home as a fortress. You wouldn’t leave the drawbridge down, right? Exactly. Spiders come in because they find food (other bugs) and shelter (you). Cut off their supply chain, and they’ll leave on their own—or never even bother to knock.

Step 2: The Great Seal-Up

Grab a caulking gun and a flashlight, and get ready to be your own handyman. Check every single crack, crevice, and gap around windows, doors, baseboards, and pipes. Even a hole the size of a pencil tip is a five-star hotel entrance for a spider. Seal it up like you’re padding a baby’s nursery—no gap is too small.

Don’t forget the attic and basement. Those are spider central, usually because they’re dark, dusty, and full of clutter. Clutter is spider paradise. Boxes piled against walls create perfect little spider highways. So, vacuum and declutter like you’re expecting your mother-in-law to do a white-glove test.

Step 3: The Essential Oil Trick (That Actually Works)

I was skeptical, too. But after my kitchen standoff, I tried it, and it’s almost too easy. Spiders hate the smell of peppermint, tea tree, and citrus oils. Mix about 10-15 drops of pure peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle, and spritz your windowsills, doorframes, and dark corners.

How to Get Rid of Spiders in the House

The best part? It smells like a fancy Christmas spa, not a chemical war zone. I’m not saying it’s a force field, but it creates an invisible barrier that spiders find deeply offensive. They’ll turn around and look for a less minty home.

Step 4: Turn Off the “Welcome” Lights

Here’s a pro tip: outdoor lights are basically a neon diner sign for moths, flies, and mosquitoes. And where there are bugs, there are spiders. Switch to yellow “bug” bulbs or, even better, turn off unnecessary outdoor lights at night. It’s amazing how fast the web-weavers pack up when the buffet closes.

You should also trim any bushes or branches that touch your house. Spiders use them as living bridges to skip right onto your siding. Give them a little pruning lesson—they’ll get the message.

Step 5: The Glue Trap Strategy (It’s Brutal, But Effective)

Okay, this one feels a little uncomfortable, but hear me out. Place glue traps or sticky pads along baseboards, especially in basements and garages. They’re not for catching the spiders directly (though they will). They’re for catching what spiders eat—the silverfish, ants, and roaches. No food chain = no spiders.

How to Get Rid Of Spiders Naturally

Plus, checking a glue trap is a great reality check. If it’s full of bugs, you know you have a bigger issue. If it’s clean? You’re winning. Just don’t look too closely at the trapped spiders. It’s not pretty, but it’s permanent.

Step 6: Embrace Your Inner Janitor

You have to get serious about cleaning. Vacuum weekly, especially behind furniture, under beds, and along baseboards. If you see a web, don’t just leave it as “spooky decor.” Knock it down immediately. A web is a spider’s real estate ad—remove it, and you send a message: “Sorry, no vacancy.”

Also, shake out your shoes before putting them on. Seriously. I once found a black widow in a boot I hadn’t worn in a month. That’s a new level of personal horror I do not recommend.

The Permanent(ish) Reality

Let’s be honest: you can never 100% spider-proof a house. They’re tiny, they’re sneaky, and they’re incredibly determined. But if you seal cracks, remove clutter, use peppermint spray, and turn off outdoor lights, you’ll drop their population from “infestation” to “rare, startled guest.”

And when you do see that lone spider three months from now? Don’t panic. Just remind it who runs the place. You do. And you have mint.