People Are Spraying Their Patio And Porch With Vinegar, & They're Smart To Do So

There's no pantry essential quite like vinegar. While traditionally thought of as a cooking ingredient, its acetic acid content makes it a go-to for cleaning, deodorizing, and descaling. Another benefit that you may not know about? It can repel spiders. So if creepy crawlies are keeping you inside, this household staple to banish spiders from your porch or patio is undoubtedly worth a try.

Your outdoor living space provides the perfect environment for spiders, sheltering them and their intricately spun webs from the elements. And if you have a porch light that attracts bugs, you're also providing their meals. With the promise of food and protection, your porch or patio is irresistible to these little critters. While chemical-laden insecticides can effectively eliminate spider infestations, vinegar offers a non-toxic alternative.

How does it work? Spiders dislike vinegar's pungent odor, and they avoid areas treated with it. If they come into contact with it, vinegar's acidity may disrupt their senses and, in some cases, cause fatal dehydration.

Perhaps the easiest way to naturally repel spiders is to make this two-ingredient spray. All you need is white distilled vinegar, water, and a spray bottle. Fill the spray bottle with half vinegar and half water, then give it a gentle shake to combine the ingredients. Spray areas where you typically see spiders and along entry points, such as doors and windows, to help prevent them from invading your home. It's also a good idea to hit dark corners where spiders like to hide, so be sure to treat the corners of your porch and under your outdoor furniture.

There are a couple of useful tips you should know for maximum bug-repelling properties without causing damage to surrounding materials. First, never use full-strength vinegar. While the high acetic content may be more effective in repelling bugs, it can damage surrounding fabrics, finishes, and plants. Secondly, because vinegar dissipates quickly, reapplication will be necessary often, usually daily, to maintain its spider-repelling effect. 

If this doesn't work, there are many natural remedies for preventing spiders from taking over, including growing plants that keep spiders away from your home.