How to use Essential Oils to Repel Spiders

You don't have to zap harmful chemicals in every corner to safeguard your home from spiders.

Though we are led to believe this is the only effective way of doing things, for those of us with pets or young children, it isn't always the best way to go.

Most domestic spiders are completely harmless, but their unusual shape can make some people feel uncomfortable and want to get them out of the way.

As spider season approaches, many of us simply don't like the thought of having these harmful substances in our homes - and that's okay!

Thanks to natural remedies like essential oils, spiders and other creepy crawlies can keep their distance, while still leaving our homes pleasant and chemical-free. 

Here we answer the question “Can essential oils repel spiders?” to see if a homemade spider repellent can be of use.

How do I keep spiders away from my home?

Combining our list of spider-zapping essential oils with water and dish soap - another natural spider repellent - is a popular alternative to insecticide sprays.

White vinegar has also gained popularity as an effective base for deterring unwanted guests. Here you can find our complete recipe for how to make a spider repellent spray.

If you're not keen on the idea of sprays, dipping cotton balls in your chosen oils and using them to line your window screens, doors, and corners is considered an effective tactic, too.

Is there a pet-safe spider repellent I can use?

When it comes to finding the best indoor spider repellent that is also pet safe, you have to be very careful about using essential oils around cats and dogs.

Certain types of essential oil can be very toxic if ingested (which is why humans also use carrier oils to apply them to their skin) so the below suggestions may not be appropriate for your four-legged friends.

For example, cats can be harmed by coming into contact with tea tree, thyme, oregano or cinnamon, while dogs can have adverse reactions to juniper, anise, clove and thyme.

For more information about using essential oils around pets, read our blog on how to use them safely.

Essential oils for repelling spiders - what is the best spider repellent?

1. Peppermint oil

When you think of what oil keeps spiders away, your mind tends to naturally gravitate towards peppermint.

Strong and refreshing, peppermint essential oil has long been considered one of the best spider repellents around, possibly due to the oil's natural monoterpenoids, which can act as effective fumigants to make them deadly for pests. [4]

Since spiders also taste and smell with their legs, they do not tend to walk through areas containing overly fragrant scents or substances.

You could try this spider repellent essential oil blend to see if it can keep spiders at bay in your home.

It uses a combination of sweet orange, lemon and peppermint that should be sprayed weekly around spider entry points such as windows, skirting boards and dark corners.

However, if someone in your home is allergic to plants in the mint family, you should avoid using peppermint oil to spray as a repellent.

Also, people with enzyme deficiency G6PD should not use peppermint. This is also true for some people taking medications as peppermint oil could break down the effectiveness of the drug.

Peppermint oil is also an effective mouse and rat repellent.

2. Citrus oils

Whether in raw fruit form or in oil form, the smell of citrus is a widely used home remedy to help deter unwanted guests.

Although research suggests that citrus oils, notley lemon, doesn't actually repel spiders, even though it's been cited as a spider repellent over a million times on google! [5]

However, adding a few drops of lemon (or other citrus oils like orange or lime) alongside peppermint in your spider repellent spray can still help to effectively maintain a spider-free home, while also making your environment smell pleasant and fresh.

3. Lavender oil

As with many of the other essential oils, research for lavender oils and spiders is limited.

Many people do recommend using lavender essential oil to repel spiders, as they believe the strong smell is enough to keep them at bay.

Research related to the use of lavender oil to reduce the survival rate of a two-spotted spider mite has shown it to be effective, although this hasn’t been expanded into further tests. [2]

4. Eucalyptus oil

Much like lavender, there is currently no solid scientific proof regarding using eucalyptus essential oil as a spider repellent.

The belief is that they hate the strong smell and will avoid going to areas where it has been sprayed.

Many people have found it to be effective, and not only will it mean fewer chemicals are sprayed in your home, but it will also be kinder to the spiders.

5. Tea tree oil

Commonly known for repelling head lice, the herbaceous smell of tea tree essential oil has also been proven to deter all sorts of insects and similar pests, including spiders. [6]

Alongside this, tea tree's relieving properties make it a great oil for having around your home during spider season, as common illnesses tend to grow as a result of the transitioning climate. 

6. Cedarwood oil

Research is limited on whether cedar or cedarwood oil can repel spiders, however the presence of cedar in general has widely anecdotally shown consistent patterns with spider repelling, whether it is present in furniture, in plant form, or as blocks or panelling.

For those of us that don't have cedar already in our homes, cedarwood essential oil is an easy and practical alternative.

Although cedarwood has been proven for repelling moths - another common dweller during this time of the year. [7]

7. Clove bud oil

As it is one of the most potent essential oils, both in its scent and in its properties, clove oil is a great aromatic and spicy alternative for scaring away spiders.

Its naturally high concentration of eugenol has been known to effectively kill some pests, as well as repel several others. [3]

Final Thoughts

In spite of the gradual increase in research regarding spider repelling oils, finding the best essential oil spider repellent can still be a challenge if you don't have much experience with aromatherapy.

Thankfully, our Spider Repellent Essential Oil Blend is the perfect remedy to help you get started.

Created by our in-house experts, this blend has been specially formulated to repel spiders (but will also be handy to repel mice and rats too) away from your home for good, while providing a refreshing and uplifting scent.