While spiders do plenty of good for our ecosystems by consuming other unwanted pests, many of us can agree that we would rather not have them bedding down with us in our homes. Their webs, bites, and simple presence can be a source of distress, and leave many people wondering how to get rid of spiders. Pesticides are often suggested as a way to keep local arachnid populations under control. If you would rather not have toxic pesticides in your home, there’s a simple and effective spider repellent that might be right under your nose: Clove essential oil. According to a study from the Journal of Economic Entomology, essential oil made from cloves can be an effective deterrent against those sneaky eight-legged creatures trying to gain entry into your house. So, how does it work? One way to use essential oils as a spider repellent is to dip cotton balls directly in the oil and place them around your home. Make sure to consider all of the places where the insects may be gaining entry, such as under doorways or through windowsills, vents, or gaps in the floorboards. If you would prefer the diluted version for a more subtle scent, combine five drops of essential oil with five drops of dish-washing liquid in one quart of water. Now you have a ready-to-spray solution that can be misted over any areas showing evidence of spiders. BEWARE — undiluted essential oils can be toxic if ingested, especially to pets. It’s important to place essential oils out of reach of pets and small children or to consider using a diluted solution. A side benefit of using clove oil against spiders is that the compounds found in cloves can also be toxic to other bothersome insects, including red ants, mosquitoes, flies, fleas and roaches.
