|  | Bites Stings | Spider Bites

Oils That Keep Spiders Away

Brown recluse and black widow spiders pose physical danger to people, but other spiders are typically harmless according to Medline Plus. Even so, few people would want to be bitten by any spider, making it helpful to know that some oils can keep spiders away.

  1. Significance

    • Ticks, daddy-longlegs, scorpions and mites (as in spider mites, for example) all belong to the arthropod phylum, which makes them relatives of spiders. Organic spider controls, such as oils, can be used on these spider relatives as well, according to the Pest Exterminator.

    Oil Types

    • Aromatic smells repel spiders and their relatives. Oils or liquids containing orange, lemon, lime, lavender or peppermint can help keep spiders away from your home. If you don't want to spray an oil directly on your garden vegetables or flowers you can distribute orange, lemon or lime peelings around them instead, which will also ward off spiders. Spray one of these aromatic oils directly on spider webs or areas where you see a web form over and over again to help deter the spiders' continued presence. Create your own home oil spray, such as pepper oil combined with vinegar. This spicy concoction can help send spiders away quickly, especially when sprayed directly on their webs and the surrounding area, according to Pest Exterminating.

    Indoor Oils

    • Use a cleanser that contains citrus, lavender or mint oil to help reduce the chance a spider will stay if it enters your home. Some floor cleansers used for mopping contain these fragrances. Room incense oils containing lavender or peppermint can also help keep spiders out of your home.

    Consideration

    • According to the University of Minnesota, spiders serve an important environmental purpose, and a spider bite is typically less painful than a bee sting, so consider allowing their existence. Spiders avoid human contact, preferring to flee and hide in nearby debris instead of attacking, so you may want to eliminate dust and cobwebs from inside your home -- along with other spider hiding spots, such as papers, boxes and bag clutter -- but allow spiders to remain outdoors, where they keep insects to a minimum.

Spider Bites - Related Articles