For many of us, spotting a spider in our home can trigger a surge of unpleasant physical effects, including a racing heart, shallow breathing, and an instinctive feeling of dread. This primal response seems to be something we are born with, and while some people can overcome their instinctive fear and learn to love arachnids, others can’t be in the same room as one without panicking.

If you are in the latter camp and simply can’t bear the thought of cohabiting with even the smallest and most harmless spider, then you may be keen to discover some helpful tools to keep eight-legged interlopers out of your home.

Read on to find out some top tips so you can start making your home spider-free today.

Keep Things Clean And Tidy

One of the easiest ways to keep any kind of bug at bay – including spiders – is to ensure that your home is kept as neat and tidy as possible. Regular vacuuming and dusting are a useful preventative measure, as is removing any webs that you find around the home.

You should also try and keep clutter to a minimum, as spiders can easily hide underneath or behind various objects and then creep out in the middle of the night to give you an unpleasant shock.

Block Their Entrance

Another simple but effective technique for preventing spiders from setting up residence is to stop them getting in in the first place, by blocking off any entryways they could use. These include sealing any cracks in your walls or window frames; and, if you have any screens on your doors or windows, making sure they don’t have any holes that could allow a spider to creep through.

Call In The Exterminators

While the vast majority of spiders are harmless, and can actually do us a good turn by killing other troublesome bugs that we really don’t want to live with, some spiders can be harmful or even deadly. If you live in an area where venomous spiders are known to reside, then it may be best to call in an a spider control service to make sure none have found their way into your home.

Trim Your Shrubs

If you are really committed to keeping spiders out of your house, then it’s a good idea to take a look at your home’s exterior. If there are any shrubs or bushes planted right up against the house, these may need to be trimmed, or even relocated altogether, if you want to prevent spiders from gaining access – unless, of course, it’s a eucalyptus or one of the other plants which spiders supposedly dislike.

Use Natural Remedies

Sometimes, keeping eight-legged intruders away can be achieved with the use of natural remedies, such as essential oils, herbs, and even vinegar.

Supposedly, spraying peppermint or eucalyptus oil-infused water liberally around the home may help to deter them, as can placing cedar blocks or cinnamon sticks on your windowsills.

You should also consider burning citronella candles or incense both inside and outside of the home, as this is said to be repellent not only to spiders but also to mosquitos – a win-win situation.