6 Best Spider Repellents
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 spotted a spider skittering across your floor lately, you're definitely not alone. In fact, one widely cited 2016 study from North Carolina State University found spiders in every single home surveyed. Researchers looked at 50 houses within a 30-mile radius of Raleigh and discovered that, on average, each home had about 62 spiders hiding out in corners, closets, and crawl spaces. That’s a lot of eight-legged roommates most of us never even see.
The upside? Pest control pros and entomologists agree that the right spider repellent can make a big difference. Some formulas not only help drive spiders away but also work against other household bugs like ants, fleas, and cockroaches, offering all-around protection for your space.
After thorough research at the Good Housekeeping Institute, we’ve rounded up the best spider repellents you can buy right now. These picks are effective and easy to use. Whether you're treating a garage, attic, or the corner behind your couch, there's an option here to help you reclaim your space.
Best Deal
Zevo Ant, Roach and Spider Spray (2-Pack)
Pros
- Kills spiders, ants, and roaches
- Low price
- 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 spray 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. And a further warning: It should not be sprayed near birds, reptiles, or fish.
| Active ingredients | Geraniol and cinnamon oil |
| Application | Spray |
Earthkind Stay Away Spiders (4-Pack)
Pros
- Easy to use
- Does not contain harmful chemicals or pesticides
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 to deter spiders 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 for the whole house; it might be best reserved 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 |
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 2,000 reviews and a 4.0-star rating on Amazon, this affordable spray can be best used as a 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.
Take note that some customers said in reviews that the product has a bad odor. 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
- Non-staining and odorless after drying
- Effective against spiders and other pests
- Works indoors and outdoors
Cons
- Synthetic ingredients can irritate those with sensitivities
Harris Spider Killer is a ready-to-use solution designed to take down spiders both inside and outside the home. Its water-based Deltamethrin formula targets a wide range of species, including black widow, brown recluse, and hobo spiders, and it dries odorless without staining surfaces.
The adjustable trigger sprayer allows you to switch between a focused stream and a broader fan pattern, making it easy to apply around foundations, doorways, patios, or basement corners. Beyond spiders, it also kills ants, crickets, fleas, and water bugs, offering broader pest control in a single bottle, it also claims residual insect kills of up to 18-months after applying.
In lab evaluations by the Good Housekeeping Institute, the spray delivered on key promises. Experts confirmed that the formula is non-staining and odorless after drying, and it’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It is also registered with the EPA, meaning it meets federal safety and efficacy standards when used as directed, an important factor for households with kids or pets. Some users may still prefer a plant-based or essential oil formula if they’re particularly sensitive to synthetic ingredients. With long-lasting protection that continues working after the spray has dried, Harris Spider Killer is a practical and effective solution for keeping creepy crawlies at bay.
| Active ingredients | Deltamethrin |
| Application | Spray |
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 has a 4.2-star rating on Amazon based on over 3,500 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. 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 may 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 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, Dave Watkins, president at the California Pest Management Association, offers some warning. “Most DIY spider repellents have limited effectiveness and need frequent reapplication to maintain any repelling ability,” he says.
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 says.
Are essential oils effective at warding off spiders?
Some essential oils, such as peppermint or clove oil, can be effective at repelling spiders, says Watkins. “However, the effectiveness depends on the correct concentration, application method, and frequency of reapplication, which can be difficult to determine,” he cautioned. For example, 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 that “while essential oils are natural, they can be toxic if misapplied, especially in households with children and pets,” says 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,” says 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 home. “To reduce spiders around the house, the long-term solution is to reduce shrubs or cut back shrubs around the house,” says Changlu Wang, Ph.D., a professor of urban entomology at Rutgers University. Because plants can attract spiders and other insects it's recommended to trim plants and trees at least two feet away from your house to minimize entry points, adds 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,” says 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, explains 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 advises.
- Don’t focus solely on spiders. “The most effective means for deterring spiders in and around the house is to manage insects, which are their prey,” says 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.
Timothy Dahl is a home improvement expert with nearly 20 years of experience testing and reviewing DIY tools, home products, and pest control solutions. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, and Popular Mechanics, and he’s the founder of Charles & Hudson. Timothy specializes in making complex projects approachable with clear, practical advice
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 home maintenance for more 25 years. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping, his expertise appeared in Consumer Reports and This Old House.
Timothy Dahl is an experienced writer and editor covering home improvement, DIY, and lifestyle topics for nearly 20 years. With a deep background in hands-on testing and reporting, he has reviewed and worked with hundreds of tools, products, and home innovations. Timothy's work has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, and Popular Mechanics, and he's the founder of Charles & Hudson. He specializes in making complex projects accessible and is passionate about empowering homeowners with clear, actionable guidance.
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.
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