Monday, September 13, 2010

Natural Spider Repellents????


It's that time of the year again.
The time when I start noticing spiders trying to invade my home. I don't mind spiders as long as they are outdoors but when they come into my home that is a whole other story.   SQUASH!
I have killed two nice size spiders within the past two days and they totally gross me out.
One was in my bed the other night. EEK!
I think he may have come in on the laundry that I hung outdoors to line dry that day.
The other came in when I opened the front door.
I had seen one hiding in the corner of the front porch as I was sweeping the day before but I left him be since he wasn't hurting me. However, I believe he is who I squashed when I opened the front door and he came scurrying in.
I've begun my fall cleaning, hitting every nook and cranny that the little suckers would like to hide in yet that does nothing to prevent them from coming into my home.
These aren't little spiders....these are big, hairy wolf spiders.
I know they are probably just looking for a nice warm place to hole up for the winter but my house is off limits.
I know that you can buy chemical repellants to spray along the outside of your house to get rid of them but I try not to use such items. I would rather use someting natural, safe to use around people and animals yet will keep them from coming indoors.
Something that will just shoo them away.

Any ideas???

I have heard of using hedgeapples but I don't have a clue where I could find those.
If any of you have ideas, tips or tricks that work I would really appreciate them.
Oh, and do any of you have problems with spiders coming in during the fall or are they only attracted to my house?

8 comments:

Unknown said...

I use bug spray...I Have to, my daughter is highly allergic...was bit when she was 3 years old and had to take her to the ER..Was on Bendrly for 6 weeks because she would break out in hives..They think she was bitten by a black widow...so I use the potent stuff on the outside...I was weed whacking last evening and all the years we have lived here I have never seen so many spiders in my life and all kinds of them. I don't like using chemicals but this is one time I use them...Lisa

Carmen S. said...

UGH!!!! We get them every fall and they look just likes yours! I don't use any bug sprays with the bunnies in the house and I've never thought to maybe google natural spider repellants, may have to try that but i hate them and usually get out the dirt devil and get rid of them that way (I noticed if you squash there is an audible *crunch* TOO GROSS!!!!!!)

Steph said...

We have problems with brown recluse spiders around here, which will put you in the hospital if they bite you. I've only seen a couple around our house since we've moved in though. I put out those sticky spider traps to get them, but I'm not sure those things are big enough to solve your problem!

Barb said...

Wish I could help you on this problem. We get some pretty big black spiders at the farm. I try to tell myself that they eat bugs, but I still don't like them.

Donna~One Simple Country Girl said...

Ugh, that spider is creeping me out! Can't help you with any repellant ideas, but I do have some good news for you! You are a winner in my lastest giveaway! Pop over to my blog to check out the details and please e-mail me your addy so I can get your goodies out to you ASAP! onesimplecountrygirl@ymail.com
Hugs,
Donna

Holly, the Old Western Gal said...

Oh dear, I see the spiders in your area are as big or bigger than Texas spiders!!! Eeek. I have heard of placing dried citrus around the doors or spraying with [real] orange oil/alcohol mix that you make up yourself (not just the scented orange stuff).

Paula said...

EEEK! That is an amazing picture, though- I would have never had the nerve to get that close. (Not even with a zoom lens! LOL)
I came over from Carmen's blog- really enjoyed my visit here today!

Carmen S. said...

Hubby and I want to go to Amish country in the fall too, will have to study those booklets you sent me and plan a route:D