6 Best Spider Repellents of 2024
From chemical sprays and plant-based solutions to electronic devices, these top-rated products can help keep the creepy crawlies out of your home.
Reviewed by Dan DiClericoHome Improvement & Outdoor Director
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If you’ve noticed a spider crawling around your house recently, you’re not alone. While there are no national studies detailing how many U.S. homes have these arachnids, an entomologist at North Carolina State University conducted a study of 50 random houses within 30 miles of Raleigh and found that every single home surveyed contained spiders. Even more unsettling: On average, there were around 62 spiders in each home, the research found.
Then there were all the reports this spring of giant Joro spiders swarming throughout parts of the Northeast and the South. Eek!
The good news? All the pest control experts and entomologists that we interviewed said certain spider repellents can help keep the creepy crawlies out of your home, with some products capable of banishing other pests as well.
Based on our reporting and research at the Good Housekeeping Institute, the following six spider repellents are the most effective products on the market. With the right application, you can rest easier knowing that you’re not sharing living quarters with any web-spinning critters.
Zevo Ant, Roach and Spider Spray (2-Pack)
Pros
- Kills spiders, ants and roaches
- Low priced
- Safe for use around people and most pets
Cons
- Not safe to use around birds, reptiles or fish
The budget friendly Zevo Ant, Roach and Spider Spray earned the Good Housekeeping Seal, thanks to its effectiveness in killing a variety of pests. “As part of our Seal evaluation, we reviewed independent testing of the Zevo on a range of crawling insects, including spiders, ants and roaches,” said Dan DiClerico, the director of the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “The spray took them all out.”
The product's active ingredients include geraniol and cinnamon oil, which are bio-insecticides that kill spiders and other types of insects on contact. The company says that it can be used indoors and outdoors, and that it's safe to use around people and most household pets, but should be kept out of children's reach. Warning: It should not be sprayed near birds, reptiles or fish.
Active ingredients: Geraniol and cinnamon oil | Application: Spray
TERRO Cobweb Eliminator and Repellent Spray
Pros
- Lasts up to 60 days, according to the company
- Affordably priced
- Easy to use
Cons
- Bad odor, according to some customers
With over 1,800 reviews and a 4.0 star rating on Amazon, this affordable spray can be best used as a pre-season preventative treatment or to target problem areas in your home. The repellent, which the brand says lasts up to 60 days, is easy to apply — you simply turn the nozzle to the “spray” setting and cover the entire surface evenly. Make sure to shake well before each use.
"Terro's products were also top picks in our evaluations of ant killers and roach repellents, so the brand is a proven player in the pest control space," added DiClerico.
Some customers said in reviews that the product has a bad odor, though. In addition, a number of users said they had to apply the spray several days in a row in order for it to be effective.
Active ingredients: Sodium lauryl sulfate, commint oil, citronella oil and rosemary oil | Application: Spray
Pros
- No harsh chemical odors or pesticides
- Kills spiders, ants and roaches
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Leaves a greasy film, according to some customer reviews
If you’re looking for a plant-based repellent made with botanical extracts, consider this STEM spray. Made without pesticides, added dye or fragrance, it’s safe for use around children and pets, the company says. The spray targets not only spiders but also ants and roaches using a mixture of geraniol and lemongrass, according to the brand.
While this affordably priced spider repellent does not have a harsh chemical smell, some customers said on Amazon that they disliked the scent and that it left a slippery film on surfaces.
Active ingredients: Geraniol and lemongrass | Application: Spray
Pros
- Doesn’t contain harmful chemicals or pesticides
- Easy to use
Cons
- Strong odor, according to some customers
This plant-based spider deterrent from Earthkind, a well-regarded botanical pest prevention products company, is made with a mix of essential oils and other plant-based ingredients. Reviews on Amazon are overwhelmingly positive, with a number of customers reporting that they’ve used the product for years.
The brand recommends placing the pouches throughout the areas in your home that are currently or were previously impacted by spiders to deter them and keep them from returning. The company suggests replacing the pouch every 30 days or when the scent diminishes.
However, dozens of customers said in reviews on Amazon and on the company’s website that they found the pouch’s scent overpowering, so it may not be the best spider repellent for everyone, or can reserved used for areas like a garage, basement or attic.
Active ingredients: Rosemary oil, lemongrass oil, citronella oil, corn cob, almond oil and sunflower oil | Application: Pouch
Pros
- Plant-based formula
- Kills a variety of pests
Cons
- Could require more applications than chemical repellents
This plant-based spray is a top pick in our round-up of the best bug and mosquito repellents, and we expect it to perform similarly against spiders. The product uses a combination of cedarwood oil, sesame oil and sodium lauryl sulfate to kill spiders, mosquitoes, as well as fleas and ticks, at any stage of the life cycle.
It boasts an impressive 4.2 star rating on Amazon based on over 3,300 reviews. To ensure that you're getting rid of all pests, spray twice within two to 10 days, and then continue to spray as needed. As with other plant-based repellents, this product might require more applications than chemical sprays.
Active ingredients: Cedarwood oil, sesame oil and sodium lauryl sulfate | Application: Spray
Bell+Howell Ultrasonic Pest Repeller (4-Pack)
Pros
- No harmful chemicals or odor
- Easy to use
Cons
- Noisy, according to some customer reviews
Electronic spider repellents deter spiders, insects, rats, roaches, ants and other household pests by emitting ultrasonic waves that are undetectable by humans but irritating to pests, causing them to vacate your home. The plug-in spider repellent device, which works with a standard electric outlet, features an LED indicator light that displays when it's active.
According to the brand, the device repels pests within a 120 square-foot radius. But dozens of customers on Amazon said that it makes a clicking sound when it turns on, "which gets pretty annoying," according to one review. But the ease of using a device over a spray wmay make that a worthy trade-off for you.
Active ingredients: N/A | Application: Electronic device
How we choose the best spider repellents
To select the best spider repellents, our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute started by gathering a list of products that are commonly found on store shelves and online. We looked for a wide range of different types of repellents, from chemical and plant-based products to electronic devices. We then narrowed our list by interviewing board-certified etymologists and pest control technicians.
Products that carry the Good Housekeeping Seal, like Zevo, were put through a rigorous Lab review, which included substantiation of independent efficacy tests on spiders and other kinds of insects.
Do homemade spider repellents work?
Despite the growing popularity of homemade spider repellents in online forums like Reddit, “most DIY spider repellents have limited effectiveness and need frequent reapplication to maintain any repelling ability,” said Dave Watkins, president at the California Pest Management Association.
Another reason he recommended people avoid using homemade spider repellents: “We caution against making your own products, since it is common to overapply natural products to the point that it is unsafe for occupants,” he said.
Are essential oils effective at warding off spiders?
Some essential oils, such as peppermint or clove oil, can be effective at repelling spiders, said Watkins. “However, the effectiveness depends on the correct concentration, application method, and frequency of reapplication, which can be difficult to determine,” he cautioned. However, lemon oil—a spider repellent tool that’s popular among essential oil enthusiasts—had no effect on spiders in a study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology.
Keep in mind, “while essential oils are natural, they can be toxic if misapplied, especially in households with children and pets,” said Watkins. “It's crucial to handle them with care and consider consulting a professional for safer alternatives.”
Are spider repellents safe to use around children and pets?
It depends on the product and the ingredients. For products that are labeled safe to use around kids and household animals, “It's essential to follow the product's directions, which typically recommend staying out of the treated area until the product has dried to minimize unwanted exposure,” said Watkins.
What other steps can I take to deter spiders?
In addition to using a spider repellent, these measures can help keep spiders away from your home:
- Prune trees and plants around the perimeter of your house. “To reduce spiders around the house, the long-term solution is to reduce shrubs or cut back shrubs around the house” since the plants can attract spiders and other insects, said Changlu Wang, Ph.D., a professor of urban entomology at Rutgers University. Trim trees and bushes at least 2 feet away from your house to minimize entry points, added Watkins.
- Get rid of spider webs. Typically, spiders build webs where they trap and feed on insects and lay eggs. “Preventing them from reaching that comfort level is quite helpful,” said Joel Coats, a professor emeritus of entomology at Iowa State University. Use a broom, vacuum or feather duster to clear away spider webs.
- Keep garages, attics and basements clean and clutter-free. This can help reduce the likelihood of infestation, explained Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., a board-certified entomologist and the senior vice president of public affairs at the National Pest Management Association.
- Tighten up your home’s "envelope." Seal entry points, such as cracks and crevices around the exterior of your home. Also, keep windows and doors tightly closed, Dr. Fredericks advised.
- Don’t just focus on spiders. “The most effective means for deterring spiders in and around the house is to manage insects, which are their prey,” added Richard Kramer, Ph.D., a board-certified entomologist and member on the board of directors at the Maryland State Pest Control Association.
RELATED: How to Get Rid of Spiders
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute provides expert reviews and advice on all things home-related, including lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners and dozens of other product categories.
Daniel Bortz is a freelance writer who has written about home improvement for more than a decade, including testing-based product reviews across every major category, from outdoor power tools to smart home technology. His work has been published by the New York Times, Washington Post, Consumer Reports, Newsweek, Money magazine and other outlets.
For this article, Bortz worked closely with Dan DiClerico, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab. DiClerico has tested and written about travel equipment for more 25 years. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping, his expertise appeared in Consumer Reports and This Old House.
Daniel Bortz (he/him) is a freelance writer in Arlington, Va who has written about home improvement for more a decade, including product reviews across every major category, from appliances to smart home technology, as well as articles on real estate, personal finance, and more. His work has been published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Consumer Reports, Newsweek, Money magazine, among others. He’s also a licensed real estate agent who watches way too much HGTV.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
