Spiders might be misunderstood little wallflowers, but that doesn’t mean you want them crashing your porch party or hiding out in your foundation beds. While they help control flies and mosquitoes, they can also signal a bug buffet around your home—and that’s not ideal.
The good news? Keep foundation landscaping spider-free. Keep your soil, pets, and kids safe. Use homemade spider repellent, traps, and sprays. They are frugal, natural, and effective.
Essential Oil + Dish Soap Spider Spray
“Web Blocker 3000”: Use a classic homemade bug spray for spiders. It is one of the more effective essential oil spider repellent recipes.
Ingredients:
- 10 drops of spearmint, peppermint, clove, or cinnamon essential oil
• 1 tsp natural dish soap
• 2 cups warm water
Instructions: Mix in a spray bottle. Shake it well. Mist around foundation vents. Spritz porch ceilings. Spray the eaves. Don’t forget the back garden edges that run along the foundation. Afterwards, your nose will thank you.
Bonus Tip: Add a splash of vinegar for extra power.
Kid & Pet Safety Tip: Do not spray in areas where little hands, paws, and noses go. Essential oils can irritate skin and generally are not safe when ingested.
White Vinegar Spider Spray
“Tangy Turf Terminator”: This is a simple homemade spider killer with vinegar—perfect for outdoor crevices.
Ingredients:
- 1 part white vinegar
- 1 part water
Instructions: Spray around landscaping stones, mulch, and along home siding. It’s a strong homemade spider repellent spray that’s safe for most surfaces.
Bonus Tip: Focus on plants that brush up against your home. That includes shrubs and ground covers. Check to see if plants are okay with the spray. Spritz a leaf. Come back 24 hours later. Continue spraying if the plant looks fine.
Kid & Pet Safety Tip: Vinegar is safe for kids and pets. It may harm delicate plant leaves.
Cedarwood or Lavender Oil Spider Spray
“Soft Scent Shield”: A gentler home remedy for spider killers in foundation areas where pets and kids play.
Ingredients:
- 10 drops cedarwood or lavender oil
- 2 cups distilled water
- Optional: 1 tsp castile soap
Instructions: Mist garden furniture, crawl space access points, and porch corners. These oils are safer alternatives for a homemade spider spray.
Bonus Tip: Use cedar chips or lavender sachets behind rocks or near storage.
Kid & Pet Safety Tip: Lavender is gentler, but still keep spray away from direct kid/pet areas.
Homemade Spider Traps
“Sticky Shoe Surprise”: A DIY home remedy to rid spiders lurking around your house.
Ingredients:
- Non-toxic glue or homemade sugar glue
- Cardboard strips
- Optional: dab of honey or peanut butter
Instructions: Create traps and place them near porch steps, foundation corners, and sheds.
Bonus Tip: Add peppermint oil for extra spider repellent spray homemade effect.
Safety: Place far from pet or toddler zones.
Homemade Spider Killer – Salt & Baking Soda Mix
“Dust of Doom”: A homemade spider killer that also discourages other bugs.
Ingredients:
- 1 part salt
- 1 part baking soda
Instructions: Dust into cracks, between stones, and under decking. Use a shaker bottle. It is great for zeroing in on nooks and crannies.
Bonus Tip: It works best in dry and shaded areas.
Safety Tip: Keep away from garden beds where you are growing food and herbs.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Barrier
“Spider Sand Shield”: This homemade spider killer spray alternative is dry and deadly—to bugs, not humans.
Instructions: Dust food-grade DE along garden beds, deck edges, crawlspace doors, and foundation rocks.
Bonus Tip: Reapply after rain or watering.
Kid & Pet Safety Tip: Only apply when no one is around to avoid inhalation.
Foundation Landscaping Spider Defense
Your foundation may be inviting spiders without you realizing it. Smart landscaping is your first layer of natural spider repellent:
- Trim shrubs and vines away from siding
• Use bug-deterring plants like mint, rosemary, lemongrass, and marigolds
• Keep gravel beds leaf-free and mulch thin
• Avoid firewood or clutter near the base of your home
Homemade Bug Spray for Spiders
No matter which homemade spider killer you use, these natural methods let you protect those around you. Keep your family, pets, and soil safe from lingering chemicals while showing spiders the door. Enjoy the bonus. They double as home remedies for other pests.
Still, introducing something new always comes with risks. Ask your local pest control company any questions you have about these solutions. If you suspect persistent infestations or structural issues, contact your local pest or foundation expert.
And Remember
Foundation cracks, shifting soil, or sudden moisture problems invite pests. It’s also the beginning of long-term problems. When in doubt, call Arch Foundation Repair. Schedule your inspection and keep your home standing strong—inside and out.
Important Safety Precautions:
- Always follow label instructions for any product you use.
- Keep homemade repellents out of the reach of children and pets.
- Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
- Use in well-ventilated areas.
- Wear appropriate protective gear, such as gloves and eye protection, when handling ingredients.
- If you experience any adverse reactions, discontinue use and seek medical advice.
- If accidental ingestion or exposure occurs, contact the Poison Control Center immediately at 800-222-1222
Additional Resources: Ingredient Safety & Toxic Warnings
To safely use homemade spider repellents around kids, pets, plants, and foundation areas, consult these trusted resources on common ingredients:
- Essential Oils (Peppermint, Spearmint, Clove, Cinnamon, Lavender, Cedarwood): ASPCA – Are Essential Oils Dangerous to Pets?
- White Vinegar Effects on Surfaces and Plants: Canada – Household Chemical Safety
- Castile Soap in Cleaning and Pest Control: Environmental Working Group – Castile Soap Ingredient Ratings
- Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Safety for Home Use: National Pesticide Information Center – DE Fact Sheet
- Salt & Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) Profiles
PubChem – Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)
PubChem – Sodium Chloride (Salt) - Glue Traps and Non-Toxic Sticky Substances: EPA – Safe Pest Control Methods
- Lavender Oil and Plant Safety for Pets: American Kennel Club and Lavender Oil
These links help you confidently apply natural spider remedies while protecting your family, furry friends, and your foundation landscaping.
Foundation Landscaping Eco-Friendly Pest Control Series
- Bug-off Naturally with Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Why Make Homemade Insect Repellent?
- How to Make a Homemade Remedy for Termites
- How to Make a Homemade Ant Repellent
- Homemade Cockroach Killers that Really Work
- How to Make Homemade Bug Spray for Spiders
- How to Make Homemade Fly Repellent
- How to Make a Homemade Wasp Trap and Spray
- Powerful Pest-Repelling Plants for Stunning Texas Foundation Landscaping
- Foundation Landscaping: Epic Kid & Pet-Friendly Pest Control
