How to Keep Spiders Out of Your Bedroom

You may have everything for a great night’s sleep: a comfy bed, fresh sheets, a Feng Shui interior – the list goes on. But there’s one thing that’s out of your control and proving to be a bit of a pest – giant house spiders.

Particularly after wet, humid weather at the end of summer or the beginning of autumn, you may find that these amorous arachnids enter your home, either ready to lay their eggs or still looking for partners. Although UK spiders are relatively harmless, some can nip. But don’t worry, they’re not venomous.

Natural repellents, using specific oils, and keeping your space clean are some ways to prevent spiders from invading your sleeping space. Read on to discover more ways to keep those eight-legged friends at bay.

1. Plug-in spider repellents

Plug-ins work with ultrasonic waves, a high-frequency noise that deters spiders and other insects. They are silent to the human ear. Ultrasonic waves discomfort spiders and creepy crawlies, causing them to leave the room.

2. Use natural scents and essential oils

Spiders are highly sensitive to strong smells, making certain natural scents an effective deterrent. They smell and taste with their legs, so they often avoid walking across fragrant surfaces. Another possible reason is the presence of monoterpenoids – compounds in most essential oils that act as fumigants and may contribute to their insecticidal effects.

• Peppermint oil: Evidence suggests that peppermint oil effectively deters spiders. In a spray bottle, mix 5-10 drops of pure peppermint oil with 240ml (1 cup) of water. Shake well, then spritz generously around windows, door frames, and the corners of your room.
• Other powerful oils: If you don’t have peppermint, spiders also dislike tea tree, lavender, rose, eucalyptus, and clove. You can use them in the same spray-bottle method.
• Cinnamon: The warm scent of cinnamon is another repellent you can try at home. Place a few cinnamon sticks on your bedside table or windowsills. You can also use cinnamon essential oil in a diffuser or create a spray.
• Vinegar: If you don’t have essential oils, white vinegar is an excellent alternative. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray it into cracks and crevices where spiders might enter. Note that the smell is strong until it dries, and it can damage some varnished surfaces.

3. Add cedar wood to your home

It may surprise you that cedar is a very effective insect repellent. In fact, studies show that ants are repelled by the compounds in this lumber and that ticks die after exposure to higher doses. Given its history of use in mothproof furniture, it makes sense that it would also act as a deterrent to arachnids. So, consider picking up some of this multitasking wood if you’re tired of webs everywhere.

4. Get a pet

Many pets, such as cats and dogs, have a natural instinct to chase and hunt down insects around the house. While they usually target fast-moving critters like flies or moths, don’t be surprised if they track down a wayward spider, too. Cats, in particular, are curious creatures, and a crawling spider can easily become their new favourite plaything. If you notice your pet playing with a spider, be cautious and try to prevent them from eating it, as it could upset their stomach.

5. Clean your house regularly

Spiders like to find warm, quiet places to hide and spin webs, so by regularly dusting and vacuuming, you’re less likely to find them getting comfy in your bedroom. It’s time to get your Hinch on!

6. Use a door sweep

Door sweeps are a simple spider repellent that also doubles as insulation. Install a door sweep on your bedroom door to prevent spiders and insects from creeping underneath.

7. Patch entry points

Make sure tiny gaps are sealed off to keep spiders away from your home and prevent them from entering your bedroom. Use sealants such as caulk in keyholes, under doors or around windows, electrical wiring, and any other gaps you find in walls.

8. Avoid eating in bed

No matter how careful you are, if you eat in bed, the odd toast crumb will make it onto your bed sheets, attracting insects. Spiders will then be attracted to these insects, and you’ll soon find yourself sharing your bed with creepy crawlies.

9. Wash your bedding regularly

Keeping your bed sheets clean is hygienic and can help prevent spiders and other insects from crawling into the bed. The buildup of skin cells, sweat, and dust can attract insects of all kinds, which spiders are attracted to.

10. Keep your outside lights off

Insects and bugs are attracted to light, making it a field day for spiders. In the evening, make sure your outside lights are off, and you’ll be less likely to attract any creepy crawlies through door cracks and open windows.

11. Use spider catchers

A little kinder to our six-legged friends, spider catchers can be easily set up around your home to capture any creepy crawlies you encounter safely. Once trapped, you can release them far away from your space, ensuring both your peace of mind and their well-being. It’s a humane alternative to squashing them, and although it requires a bit more effort, you’ll be left feeling good knowing they’ve been relocated without harm.

12. Keep your garden tidy

Plants and shrubbery near your home provide a sheltered pathway for spiders and other insects, so keeping them refined and tidy can help prevent them from sneaking in undetected. Spiders also like taller plants when building their webs, so trimming your garden and opting for smaller flowers can help keep them from setting up camp outside your door.

13. Call in an exterminator

If all else fails, you can always get help from professionals to repel spiders from your bedroom. Whether you’re faced with a persistent problem or find yourself around a venomous spider, call for help.

This is not usually required on British soil, as we’re lucky not to have venomous spiders in the UK. However, we do have false widow spiders, and these can bite. If you find yourself face-to-face with a false widow, you can call in pest control to keep you and your family safe.

Keeping spiders out of your home is all about knowing why they come in and taking simple steps to stop them. So, remember to clean regularly, seal up cracks, and use natural repellents to keep your home cosy and spider-free.

We can expand on this further – spiders are very sensitive to vibrations, which we often produce by snoring or moving in our sleep. Add in the fact that we are not a typical spider’s prey, and you get a combination that keeps them away (most of the time, anyway).

Also, when it comes to sensitivity, our skin is incredibly receptive to touch, even for something as small as a spider. This means if one were crawling on your face, you’d likely wake up before it could get close to your mouth. While we can’t guarantee it won’t happen, as the experts say, it is very unlikely.

Even though spiders may not go near your mouth, it doesn’t mean they won’t enter your bedroom, especially after humid weather at the beginning of autumn. If you’re wondering why spiders are in your home in the first place or what may attract them, it’s mainly down to the weather. 

During autumn, male spiders in the UK will seek out warm and dry places like our bedrooms. Dr Chris Terrell-Nield says: “The males are up to 10 cm across the leg span and can be the size of your hand…”. Yikes! 

“But hold on,” you may be saying. “It’s summer, right? Why are the spiders coming into my home now?” The answer is simple. Spiders are fragile creatures, and what may be a slight shift in the weather for us (such as the change from a sunny day to an absolute washout) can be devastating for them. Not only that, but it may falsely trigger a seasonal change early, making them move ahead of schedule.

In other words, if it gets too warm, too cold, or even too rainy, expect spiders to seek shelter from the elements, much like in our homes.

Other reasons spiders might be in your home are:

• It’s mating season: Spiders look for the best living areas and breeding conditions, so inside your warm and dry home is a great option. If your place has little nooks, it’s also excellent for egg-laying.
• They need nourishment: Spiders will come into your home if you have good food and water for insects. Protect those bananas and apples.
• Accessible areas: Small cracks and holes in your home mean accessible areas for insects and spiders to crawl through.
• You bring them in yourself: If you love a charity shop haul and suddenly see many spiders in your home, they could have entered through your purchases. Whether it’s a designer sofa or a vintage handbag, a wayward egg sac could be attached.

Now we know why they get in; it’s down to the how. The sad truth is that they will often walk in. A spider can scoot inside through an open door, window, air vent, or a crack in your home’s architecture.

The second way is less common but equally prevalent. Spiders will often hitchhike onto other items and make their way inside your home. We mentioned charity shop finds before, but this isn’t the only way. It can sometimes happen during a big house move, where spiders are inside your boxes and belongings and then are shipped from one house to another. Sometimes, this can be from things outside being brought in – especially common with firewood, plants and camping equipment. So, before bringing them inside, thoroughly inspect them to ensure you don’t see any creepy crawlies.