For most people, spiders aren’t welcome house guests. If you’ve noticed an increase in the number of spiders inside your home, the best spider repellents can help keep these pests outside where they belong. Our top recommendation for keeping spiders at bay is Wet & Forget Miss Muffet's Revenge Spider Killer, an easy-to-use spray that kills and repels insects for up to 12 months.

While it’s normal to have a few spiders in your home, if you notice an unusual increase or specific types of venomous spiders, it might be time to purchase a repellent. “Spiders are beneficial and mostly harmless, so having a few spiders shouldn't be cause for alarm,” says Tyler Hawkins, regional field manager at Fox Pest Control. “However, there are a couple of spiders that have venom and can be harmful to humans, including black widows and brown recluse spiders.”

Most repellents use pesticides to kill spiders and other insects like ants and cockroaches, but there are also natural products that use essential oils to simply deter insects from entering your home. No matter which option you prefer, here are the best spider repellents to help keep your home free of creepy, crawly bugs.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

Spiders and other insects can put a damper on your outdoor activities, so the Forbes Vetted team has done hours of research and testing to find the best insect repellents, mosquito traps and other outdoor products on the market.

• The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team includes three expert editors: Rebekah Lowin, Amanda Arnold and Sholeen Damarwala.
• The author of this piece, Camryn Rabideau, is a regular contributor with extensive experience covering home and lifestyle topics.
• For professional advice on dealing with spiders, we spoke with Tyler Hawkins, region field manager at Fox Pest Control, for tips on finding the most effective repellents and other ways to keep these pests out of your home.

How We Chose The Best Spider Repellent

To find the best and most effective spider repellents, we researched a wide range of highly rated products and used guidance from our expert to refine our selection.

• We looked for best-selling products from well-known insect control brands like Ortho and Spectracide.
• At the suggestion of Hawkins, we looked for repellents that use pyrethroid pesticides, which are one of the most effective options for controlling spiders around the house.
• We considered both natural repellents and pesticide-based formulas that kill spiders, prioritizing products that are safe to use around children and pets.
• We evaluated each product on several factors, including their ease of application, how long the protection lasts and the overall safety of the formula.
• During our research, we also read through dozens of user reviews to see if people have found the formula to be effective. We prioritized products with an average rating of 4 stars or higher.

What To Look For In The Best Spider Repellent

Active Ingredient

The most effective spider repellents typically contain pesticides that kill insects and keep them out of your home. “Look for products with active ingredients such as bifenthrin, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin or other types of pyrethroids,” explains Hawkins. “These products don’t repel spiders, but they kill spiders on contact and provide a residual effect that can last for several weeks after application.”

If you prefer a repellent that doesn’t use pesticides, there are natural ingredients that can help keep spiders away. “Essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender can be effective at repelling spiders,” says Hawkins. However, these natural ingredients are typically less effective and require more frequent application.

Form

Spider repellents come in several forms that work in different areas. Sprays are the most common and can often be used both inside and outside your home. For best results, you’ll want to apply products like the Wet & Forget Miss Muffet's Revenge Spider Killer around your home’s foundation, windows and doorways to prevent spiders from coming inside.

However, you can also find spider repellents in satchels or pouches, which are useful for areas like closets where you don’t necessarily want to spray a pesticide.

Longevity

When comparing products, you’ll also want to take into account how long the repellent lasts after application. Sprays like the Spectracide Bug Stop Home Barrier can last for up to 12 months when used according to the directions, while natural repellents like Mighty Mint Insect & Pest Spray need to be reapplied every few days. If you have a lot of spiders, you may want to opt for a longer-lasting product—otherwise, you’ll need to repurchase the solution frequently.

Safety

When using any sort of pesticide around your home, it’s important to consider how it may affect your family, pets and other organisms. For instance, repellents that use bifenthrin as their active ingredient are generally considered safe once dry, but you’ll need to keep kids and pets away from the applied area while it’s still wet. There are also pesticides like gamma-cyhalothrin that are toxic to beneficial insects like honeybees, so you’ll want to keep it away from garden beds and flowers.

What Is The Best Spider Repellent That Works?

The most effective spider repellents typically use pyrethroid pesticides to kill the insects and keep them from entering your home. Products like the Wet & Forget Miss Muffet's Revenge Spider Killer can be used both inside and around your home, as the treatment will last for several months when applied correctly. “Treat around the foundation, doors and windows,” says Hawkins. “Also, treat other areas where spiders can be found or build their webs like eaves or corners of the garage.”

For best results, there are a few additional steps you should take to keep spiders from entering your home. “Make sure window screens fit tight and are not damaged,” recommends Hawkins. “Spiders, including spiderlings, can fit through small gaps rather easily. Make sure cracks and crevices are sealed with caulk or similar material. Sweep away webs that can accumulate on the outside of the home.”