Can This All-Natural Spider Repellent Really Keep These Insects Away? Here's What To Know

Many social media posts and videos try to offer a variety of herbal and essential oil concoctions intended to keep spiders out of your home. One recent TikTok video from creator @mrsclarehoops features a concoction of fresh herbs and essential oils, combining crushed mint and rosemary with boiling water and eight drops of eucalyptus oil. The claim is that adding eucalyptus oil to the mint and rosemary water will keep spiders away. There may be skepticism that it does much beyond freshening the air, but natural remedies against creepy crawlers are still worth exploring.

While some herbs and oils may deter certain spiders, they won't work on every species, and not every ingredient in viral recipes is effective. The strong scent of certain essential oils may overwhelm a spider's sense of smell, prompting it to avoid the area and seek alternative locations. While menthol is a popular scent that can keep spiders out of your home, it isn't the only oil out there that can help. Compounds like limonene, linalool, and eucalyptol are thought to trigger spiders' avoidance behavior, impeding their ability to hunt for prey, disorienting them, and even preventing them from communicating with other spiders

The effectiveness of essential oils also depends heavily on where they're applied. The key is to ensure you're applying oils to areas that will have a direct effect on spiders, making it harder for them to avoid.

One essential oil sometimes recommended by pest control companies as a home remedy to deter spiders is peppermint, which has been shown in scientific studies to deter particular spider species. When discussing homemade spider repellents, Timothy Wong, technical director at MMPC, told Martha Stewart, "You can make one with peppermint repellent by filling a spray bottle with water and about 10 to 20 drops of peppermint essential oil." Some studies found peppermint oil to be effective against common house, wolf, jumping, and cellar spiders. These are some of the most common spiders you may see in your home, so being able to battle them naturally can come in handy. It's important to note that spiders won't immediately retreat when you spray oil — it can take 24 to 48 hours for the treatment to take effect. 

According to a study published on ScienceDirect, five other essential oils were tested and shown to be effective against wolf spiders: catnip, cedarwood, cinnamon, citronella, and clove. Because essential oils lose potency over time, regular reapplication is important. You'll want to spray at entry points, such as windowsills, around doorjambs, in corners, and especially in closets, attics, basements, and crawl spaces. It's also important to remove webs inside the home, including in basements and attics. This helps eliminate prey, food storage areas, and places where spiders may lay eggs. However, before you chase them all out of your home, keep in mind that some spiders are beneficial.