If there is any one sign that suggests fall is around the corner, it is a sudden influx of spiders in your home. Not a fan? Experts say you should try clove oil for spiders.
This all-natural scent deterrent is a great way to keep them out of your home, pest experts explain, but there are a few caveats if you don’t want some impromptu living Halloween decorations moving in.
Here, they explain how to use clove oil to keep spiders away naturally, and the steps you need to take for foolproof prevention.
How to use clove oil for spiders in your home
This clove oil is sourced from Indonesia and extracted using the traditional steam distillation method for 100% purity.
Using clove oil, available at Amazon, is a natural pest control method that can make your home a last resort for spiders, helping to deter them from entering when used correctly.
Mihail Velev, rodent and insect pet control expert at Fantastic Pest Control, explains, ‘Clove oil contains a compound called eugenol, which has a strong, pungent scent that disrupts the sensory receptors spiders use to navigate and hunt. While it doesn’t kill them, the smell is often enough to drive them away or discourage them from settling in certain areas.’
For this homemade bug spray to be effective, Mihail says, ‘For clove oil to be effective, it should be diluted before application because pure clove oil is very strong and can irritate your skin or damage some surfaces.'
Simply mix about 10 to 15 drops of clove oil with water in a glass bottle, such as ones from Walmart that are easy to clean and reusable. You can add a small amount of dish soap, such as Dawn from Walmart, to help the solution stick to surfaces.
Mihail adds, ‘This mixture can then be sprayed around entry points such as windowsills, door frames, baseboards, vents, and any known spider hiding spots like attic corners, behind furniture, and under sinks. For ongoing effectiveness, reapply the spray every few days, especially after cleaning.
‘It's worth noting that while clove oil is one of the more potent natural options, using it as part of a broader integrated pest management approach will give much better long-term results.’
The caveats
While clove oil can be an effective deterrent for spiders this summer, it is more of a nuisance for spiders than a danger sign, meaning it cannot always be relied upon to keep spiders out of the garage or get rid of spiders in a basement.
Nicole Carpenter, president at Black Pest Prevention, explains, ‘While spiders aren’t insects and don’t have the same olfactory receptors, they do detect chemical changes in their environment via sensitive setae (tiny hairs on their legs and body).
'However, in lab conditions, only high concentrations of eugenol have shown mild repellency against some spider species. So if someone tells you clove oil repels spiders, the real answer is: Sometimes, under specific conditions, and only as part of a broader strategy.
‘Clove oil doesn’t trigger fear or panic in spiders. What it can do is disrupt their exploration. Spiders map out surfaces chemically; if you spike that surface with a foreign, pungent irritant, they may choose a quieter zone. The clove oil may distract spiders, but it won’t fix the food source, seal the structural gaps, or address egg sacs buried in insulation.’
So, for clove oil to be really efficient at deterring spiders, you need to address the surprising things attracting pests to your home and draft-proof to block up gaps in your home's structure, such as around windows, doors and utilities.
For affected areas, you can also try spider killer traps, from Target, to remove the problem without physical intervention on your part.
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The improved Zevo Multi Insect Killer will kill ants, roaches, flies, fruit flies, gnats, spiders, and crickets on contact, leaving no messy residue or chemical odor.
White vinegar is a natural disinfectant with a strong odor that can also help to put off spiders. It is also ideal for cleaning food prep areas and treating mold to target common pest magnets.
With a fresh lemon scent and a concentrated soap formula, Dawn Powerwash breaks down grease to limit how much you need to scrub. It is perfect for cleaning areas where spiders live.
Sponge cloths dry quickly and can be washed in a dishwasher, redusing odors and mildew that could attract flies and, therefore, spiders, in your home.
Sweep regularly in kitchens, basements, and garages to remove cobwebs and debris that could offer spiders shelter.
Insulating foam expands on application to fill gaps up to one inch in size, preventing pests form getting in.
FAQs
What other insects does clove oil deter?
Clove oil is an effective insect repellent, with studies suggesting that it is also an effective scent deterrent for arthropod pests (such as ticks), armyworms, thrips, aphids, and mites.
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If these pests do get into your home, it is wise to avoid squashing spiders, as their released pheromones could attract more.
If you don’t want to handle them, consider using a glass and a piece of paper to move them outside, or if needed, vacuum the spider up. Follow our tips for what to do after you’ve vacuumed a pest problem to keep your appliance in top shape and prevent a wider pest problem from taking hold.
