5 Natural Smells That Spiders Hate and How to Use Them
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 5 min read

Contents

  1. Peppermint Smell
  2. Citrus Smell
  3. Vinegar Smell
  4. Eucalyptus Smell
  5. Garlic Smell

If you've ever asked yourself "what do spiders hate?", you're in for a treat. This blog post will unravel the mystery and give you five natural smells that spiders find utterly repugnant. And the icing on the cake? You'll also learn how to use these scents to keep your home spider-free. Let's dive right in and start with the first smell on our list: Peppermint.

Peppermint Smell

Peppermint – it's not just for freshening breath and flavoring candies anymore. It turns out spiders are less than fond of this refreshing aroma. Using peppermint to deter spiders is simple, affordable, and safe for pets and kids.

Why Spiders Hate Peppermint

Although we find the smell of peppermint invigorating, spiders perceive it quite differently. The potent smell overwhelms their senses, making it a great natural repellent.

How to Use Peppermint Against Spiders

Here's the best part – using peppermint against spiders is easy. All you need is a few household items:

  • Peppermint essential oil: This is the star player, so make sure you get good quality oil.
  • Spray bottle: Any empty (and clean) spray bottle will do.
  • Water: Tap water is fine. No need for anything fancy.

Fill the spray bottle with water, add about 15-20 drops of peppermint oil, shake well, and voila! You have a homemade spider repellent. Spray this concoction around windows, doors, and any other places where you've spotted spiders. But remember — the scent fades over time, so reapply every few days for the best results.

Other Peppermint Products

If DIY is not your cup of tea, don't worry. You can also use peppermint-scented products like candles, soaps, or even peppermint plants to keep spiders at bay. Just remember, the stronger the smell, the more effective it will be against spiders.

So, next time when the question "what do spiders hate" pops up in your mind, just remember: if it's peppermint, spiders will sprint! Now, let's move on to the next scent on our spider-repellent list.

Citrus Smell

What's more refreshing than the zesty aroma of citrus fruits? Well, for spiders, not much. These eight-legged critters aren't fans of citrus smells at all. If you're wondering "what do spiders hate?", citrus is certainly high up on their list.

Why Spiders Dislike Citrus

Spiders have a highly sensitive sense of smell and the strong, tangy aroma of citrus fruits can be overpowering to them. This makes citrus a top-notch choice for naturally repelling spiders.

How to Use Citrus Against Spiders

Dealing with spiders using citrus is a breeze. Here's a simple method:

  1. Gather citrus peels: Don't toss out those orange or lemon peels after enjoying the fruit. They're about to serve a great purpose.
  2. Place strategically: Put these peels in areas where spiders frequent or where you want to prevent them from going. This could be your garden, your basement, or even around your windowsills.

Another easy way is to use citrus essential oils in a spray, much like the peppermint oil method. Simply replace the peppermint oil with citrus oil, and you have a fresh-smelling spider repellent.

Citrus-Based Products

If you're not into utilizing peels or making sprays, consider citrus-based products. Many cleaning products have citrus scents that can help repel spiders. This means you can keep your house clean while keeping spiders at bay. It's a win-win!

So, now you have another answer to "what do spiders hate?". With the power of citrus, you're well on your way to a spider-free home. Up next, we'll explore a pantry staple that spiders can't stand.

Vinegar Smell

If you're still asking, "what do spiders hate?", here's another answer for you - the smell of vinegar. Yes, that common household item is not a favorite of our eight-legged friends.

Why Spiders Avoid Vinegar

Vinegar has a strong, pungent odor that spiders find distasteful. This smell overpowers their senses, making it an effective natural repellent.

How to Use Vinegar to Repel Spiders

Want to know how to use vinegar to your advantage? Here are simple steps you can follow:

  1. Prepare a vinegar solution: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
  2. Spray strategically: Spray this solution in corners, cracks, and crevices where spiders might hide. Remember to avoid any delicate fabrics or surfaces that might be damaged by the vinegar.

Keep in mind, vinegar's smell dissipates quickly to human noses, but spiders will still sense it for a while. So don't worry about your house smelling like a salad dressing!

Vinegar-Based Products

If spraying vinegar all over your house isn't appealing, there are other vinegar-based products you can consider. For example, some types of pest control sprays contain vinegar, giving you a more targeted application while still deterring spiders.

So there you have it, another answer to the question, "what do spiders hate?". Vinegar offers a simple and effective solution to keep spiders at bay. Next, we'll look at a plant that spiders find less than appealing.

Eucalyptus Smell

Continuing our quest to answer, "what do spiders hate?" let's turn our attention to the refreshing scent of eucalyptus. It's a scent loved by many, but not by spiders!

Why Spiders Dislike Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus has a strong, minty scent that is pleasant to most humans but overwhelming to spiders. Their sensitive olfactory senses find it unpleasant and too powerful, making eucalyptus a great natural deterrent.

How to Use Eucalyptus to Deter Spiders

Curious about how to put eucalyptus to work for spider prevention in your home? Here's what you can do:

  1. Purchase eucalyptus oil: This essential oil is available at most health food stores and online.
  2. Apply strategically: Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a spray bottle filled with water. Spray this mixture in areas where you've seen spiders before, or where you suspect they might be hiding.

Remember, less is more when using essential oils. They're powerful and a few drops will go a long way.

Eucalyptus Products

If you're not into DIY solutions, you can find a number of eucalyptus-infused products on the market. From candles to sprays, these items can help keep your home spider-free while adding a fresh, pleasant aroma.

So now, we've added eucalyptus to our growing list of answers to the question, "what do spiders hate?". Next up, we'll explore a classic kitchen staple that spiders aren't fans of.

Garlic Smell

Here's a tidbit that might surprise you: the pungent aroma of garlic, the very ingredient that adds zest to your favourite dishes, also makes the list of "what do spiders hate?". Let's find out why.

Why Spiders Can't Stand Garlic

Garlic has a powerful and distinct smell that is quite repelling to spiders. Our eight-legged friends have a very keen sense of smell, and the strong scent of garlic can be overpowering to them. That's why when they encounter the aroma of garlic, they prefer to scuttle away.

How to Use Garlic to Keep Spiders Away

Wondering how to use garlic to your advantage in the battle against spiders? Here are some simple steps:

  1. Make a garlic water spray: Crush a few cloves of garlic and mix them with water. Pour this solution into a spray bottle.
  2. Spray strategic areas: Spray this garlic water in corners, window sills, and other nooks and crannies where spiders might lurk.

Just remember, the smell of garlic can be quite strong, so use it sparingly and wisely.

Garlic-Based Products

For those who'd rather not whip up their own concoctions, there are numerous garlic-based products available in the market that can help keep spiders at bay. They come in various forms, from sprays to granules, offering an easy, mess-free way to deter spiders.

So, garlic, who knew? It's not just for warding off vampires, but spiders too! Now that we know that spiders are not fans of garlic, we're closer to understanding more about "what do spiders hate?". Stay tuned as we continue to uncover more spider deterrents.

While this blog post focuses on natural smells to keep spiders away, if you're looking for ways to stay resilient through other challenges in life, consider exploring 'Staying Resilient Through Rejection' workshop by Carlos Neto. However, if you're more interested in discovering other creative topics and expanding your knowledge, make sure to visit Daisie's classes for a wide range of inspiring workshops by talented artists.