I’m a Home Expert—These Are the Spider Repellents That Actually Work

To select the best spider repellents, our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab started by gathering a list of products that are commonly found on store shelves and online. We looked for a wide range of repellents, from chemical and plant-based products to electronic devices. We then narrowed our list through interviews with board-certified entomologists and pest control technicians, along with limited Lab evaluations and home applications by consumer testers.

To figure out which spider repellent is the best fit for your home, weigh the pros and cons of the three main types.

✔️ Sprays: These liquid repellents come in spray bottles that make for easy application. Ingredients range from synthetic to plant-based, so you can find a repellent that matches your preferences.

✔️ Pouches: If you prefer a dry repellent, pouches are a good option. Many are made with essential oils and other plant-based materials. Another dry option is diatomaceous earth, a crumbly white powder consisting of the fossilized remains of diatoms, a class of algae. When spiders come in contact with DE, the fine powder causes them to lose moisture and die. You can sprinkle it around your baseboards and other places you’ve seen spiders.

✔️ Electronic: These repellents emit ultrasonic waves that deter spiders and other household pests. Plug the devices into outlets in areas of the home where spiders are often found. If you have pets, just make sure the electronic repellent is safe for use around them.

Despite the growing popularity of homemade spider repellents on online forums like Reddit, Dave Watkins, president of the California Pest Management Association, offers a warning. “Most DIY spider repellents have limited effectiveness and need frequent reapplication to maintain any repelling ability,” he says.

Another reason he recommends people avoid using homemade spider repellents: “We caution against making your own products, since it is common to overapply natural products to the point that it is unsafe for occupants,” he says.

Some essential oils, such as peppermint or clove oil, can be effective at repelling spiders, says Watkins. “However, the effectiveness depends on the correct concentration, application method, and frequency of reapplication, which can be difficult to determine,” he cautions. For example, lemon oil—a spider repellent tool that’s popular among essential oil enthusiasts—had no effect on spiders in a study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology.

Keep in mind that “while essential oils are natural, they can be toxic if misapplied, especially in households with children and pets,” says Watkins. “It's crucial to handle them with care and consider consulting a professional for safer alternatives.”

It depends on the product and the ingredients. For products that are labeled safe to use around kids and household animals, “It’s essential to follow the product’s directions, which typically recommend staying out of the treated area until the product has dried to minimize unwanted exposure,” says Watkins.

In addition to using a spider repellent, these measures can help keep spiders away from your home:

• Prune trees and plants around the perimeter of your home: “To reduce spiders around the house, the long-term solution is to reduce shrubs or cut back shrubs around the house,” says Changlu Wang, Ph.D., a professor of urban entomology at Rutgers University. Because plants can attract spiders and other insects, it’s recommended to trim plants and trees at least 2 feet away from your house to minimize entry points, adds Watkins.
• Get rid of spider webs: Typically, spiders build webs where they trap and feed on insects and lay eggs. “Preventing them from reaching that comfort level is quite helpful,” says Joel Coats, a professor emeritus of entomology at Iowa State University. Use a broom, vacuum, or feather duster to clear away spider webs.
• Keep garages, attics, and basements clean and clutter-free: This can help reduce the likelihood of infestation, explains Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., a board-certified entomologist and the senior vice president of public affairs at the National Pest Management Association.
• Tighten up your home’s “envelope”: Seal entry points, such as cracks and crevices around your home's exterior. Also, keep windows and doors tightly closed, Fredericks advises.
• Don’t focus solely on spiders: “The most effective means for deterring spiders in and around the house is to manage insects, which are their prey,” says Richard Kramer, Ph.D., a board-certified entomologist and member of the board of directors at the Maryland State Pest Control Association.​

Timothy Dahl is a home improvement expert with nearly 20 years of experience testing and reviewing DIY tools, home products, and pest control solutions. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, and Popular Mechanics, and he founded Charles & Hudson.

For this article, Dahl worked closely with Dan DiClerico, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab. DiClerico has tested and written about home maintenance for more than 25 years, including several extensive reports on pest mitigation in homes. Before joining Good Housekeeping, his expertise appeared in Consumer Reports and This Old House.