Few things ruin a room faster than spotting an eight-legged intruder crawling across the baseboard. Spiders enter through gaps under doors, around windows, and along foundation cracks, then build webs in corners where they go unnoticed until they drop onto your pillow. Conventional bug sprays kill on contact but leave chemical residue on surfaces where kids and pets play, while sticky traps catch a few but fail to address the root problem. The real solution is a repellent barrier that spiders refuse to cross, applied along their common entry points.
I’m Mohammad — the founder and writer behind ProteinJug. I have spent years analyzing pest control formulations, comparing active ingredient concentrations, and cross-referencing thousands of buyer experiences to separate products that actually create a repellent barrier from those that merely smell pleasant for an hour.
After evaluating dozens of sprays, dusts, and aerosol formulas, I have narrowed the field to five that earn a spot in a serious home defense kit. Whether you prefer a plant-based mist or a targeted dust, this guide to the best thing to get rid of spiders will help you choose the right tool for your home.
How To Choose The Best Thing To Get Rid Of Spiders
Spider repellents fall into three categories: natural essential-oil sprays, synthetic chemical dusts, and plant-powered aerosol formulas. Each works differently, and the right choice depends on whether you want a no-touch barrier for daily prevention or a knockdown weapon for visible spiders on walls and ceilings. Below are the four factors that separate an effective spider defense from a wasted purchase.
Active Ingredient Strength and Residual Duration
Peppermint oil is the most common natural active in spider repellents because spiders have olfactory receptors on their legs that detect strong mint concentrations and trigger avoidance behavior. The key metric is the oil concentration — a formula labeled “extra strength” typically contains a higher percentage of pure peppermint essential oil, which extends residual activity from a few hours to several days. Synthetic dusts containing permethrin work differently: they cling to the spider’s exoskeleton on contact and provide a residual layer that remains active for weeks inside wall voids and under appliances, making them ideal for areas where you cannot spray regularly.
Application Method and Reach
A ready-to-use trigger spray is the most convenient option for baseboards, window frames, door thresholds, and other visible perimeter areas. If you have spiders nesting in crawl spaces, behind heavy furniture, or inside electrical boxes, a dust formulation with a snorkel tube or puffer applicator reaches those voids without soaking the surrounding area. Aerosol sprays offer a middle ground: they shoot a directed stream that sticks to vertical surfaces and dries quickly, but the can runs out faster than a liquid spray bottle of the same volume.
Safety Around Children and Pets
Plant-based sprays that list only essential oils (peppermint, lemongrass, geraniol) as active ingredients are generally safe when applied according to the label and allowed to dry before people and animals re-enter the room. Dusts containing permethrin require more caution — the dust itself is low-toxicity to mammals, but inhalation during application can irritate lungs, so you should wear a mask and keep pets out of the room until the dust settles. If you have a dog that licks baseboards or a cat that climbs near window sills, a natural peppermint spray is the safer everyday option.
Scent Intensity and Indoor Freshness
A strong peppermint aroma is the most common consumer complaint about natural spider repellents. Some people enjoy the crisp, clean scent, while others find it overwhelming in small bedrooms or enclosed basements. Formulas vary widely in how much fragrance lingers after drying — the pure peppermint oil sprays tend to smell stronger during application but fade to a mild background note within an hour, while formulas that include lemongrass or cedarwood have a more complex, softer profile. If you are sensitive to strong smells, look for a spray that lists “natural essential oils” broadly rather than “100% pure peppermint oil” as the sole active.
Quick Comparison
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wondercide Ant & Roach Aerosol | Aerosol Spray | Quick kill on contact | Lemongrass & geraniol active | Amazon |
| Bonide 363 Spider & Ground Bee Killer | Dust | Hard-to-reach voids | Permethrin 0.25% dust | Amazon |
| Waspika Peppermint Oil Spray | Natural Spray | Everyday perimeter defense | Extra strength peppermint oil | Amazon |
| Smart Grower Peppermint Oil Spray | Natural Spray | Maximum strength repellent | Pure peppermint essential oil | Amazon |
| Eglagen Peppermint Oil Spray | Natural Spray | Budget-friendly pest barrier | 16 oz concentrated formula | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Wondercide Ant & Roach Aerosol
Wondercide is the only product on this list that combines plant-based active ingredients with aerosol delivery for true contact kill. The active duo — lemongrass and geraniol — disrupts the spider’s nervous system on contact, dropping it within seconds rather than simply irritating it into fleeing. This makes the aerosol particularly effective for visible spiders on walls, ceilings, and window frames where a mist would merely annoy the spider and let it scurry away to a darker corner. The 10-ounce can fits comfortably in one hand and shoots a directed stream that sticks to vertical surfaces without dripping.
What sets Wondercide apart from the other natural options is its lab-proven kill rate against over 20 common household bugs, including spiders, ants, roaches, fleas, and stink bugs. The formula contains no artificial fragrances or synthetic pyrethroids, so it is safe to spray around pet beds and kitchen counters once the area dries. Buyers consistently report that a single blast stops spiders mid-stride, and the aerosol format avoids the nozzle clogs that plague many trigger-spray bottles.
One caveat: the can’s nozzle has been reported to clog halfway through the second can in some units, and the oily residue can leave floors slippery if over-sprayed. For broad-area perimeter spraying, a hand-crank spray bottle of peppermint oil is more economical. But for spot-treating spiders you actually see, nothing in this lineup delivers faster, safer knockdown.
Why it’s great
- Kills spiders on contact with plant-based actives
- Safe around pets and children after drying
- Effective against 20+ household pests
- No artificial fragrances or synthetic chemicals
Good to know
- Nozzle can clog before can is empty
- Oily residue can make floors slippery
- More expensive per use than liquid sprays
2. Bonide 363 Spider & Ground Bee Killer
Bonide 363 is a dust formulation — not a spray — and it fills a completely different role than any peppermint-based product. The active ingredient is permethrin at 0.25%, a synthetic compound that binds to the spider’s cuticle on contact and remains active for weeks inside enclosed spaces. The snorkel tube applicator lets you direct the fine dust into cracks, crevices, electrical outlets, wall voids, and the gaps behind baseboards where spiders actually nest. A liquid spray cannot reach these spaces without soaking the surrounding drywall, and a peppermint mist evaporates within hours.
Buyers consistently report that a single application to ground bee holes and yellow jacket nests eliminates all activity within 24 hours, using less than half a bottle per nest. For spider control, the dust is most effective when puffed into corners of basements, attics, and garage ceiling junctions where cobwebs accumulate. The dust itself is low-toxicity to mammals, but inhalation during application can irritate the lungs, so a mask is recommended. Once the dust settles, it stays put and continues working even if the surface gets dusty.
The trade-off is that the Bonide 2-pack only contains two 10-ounce bottles, and the puffer bulb requires firm squeezing to generate enough air current. Some users report that the bottle’s dispenser mechanism can fail after heavy use, leaving you with a bottle of dust and no way to apply it. For deep-wall spider prevention where sprays cannot go, however, this is the most effective option on the list.
Why it’s great
- Reaches wall voids and cracks sprays cannot
- Permethrin provides residual activity for weeks
- Effective against ground bees and yellow jackets
- Compact 2-pack for multiple treatment areas
Good to know
- Dispenser mechanism can fail mid-use
- Requires mask to avoid lung irritation
- Not intended for visible spider contact kill
3. Waspika Peppermint Oil Spray
Waspika’s peppermint oil spray earns its “extra strength” label by delivering a noticeably higher concentration of pure peppermint essential oil than many budget competitors. The result is a crisp, pleasant mint aroma that lingers lightly after drying, rather than the harsh chemical smell of synthetic insecticides or the faint, fleeting scent of diluted peppermint sprays. Buyers consistently note that the spray creates a noticeable reduction in spider webs and visible spiders within days of application along baseboards, window frames, and door thresholds. The ready-to-use formula requires no mixing or measuring, and the non-staining formula leaves no residue on painted walls or wood trim.
What separates Waspika from other peppermint sprays is its reported effectiveness against a broader range of pests. Multiple verified buyers mention seeing fewer ants and roaches alongside spiders, and several report that the spray keeps stray cats and wildlife away from garden beds and porch areas. The 16-ounce bottle covers a generous perimeter, and the nozzle delivers a fine, even mist that does not dribble or flood the trigger. For daily, no-hassle perimeter defense in a home with kids and pets, this is the most balanced natural option.
The only notable weakness is that the spray’s residual effect fades faster than a dust or aerosol, requiring reapplication every few days in high-traffic entry areas. Buyers with severe spider infestations may find that the spray alone does not eliminate heavy cobweb buildup, and a companion dust treatment in wall voids may still be necessary.
Why it’s great
- Extra strength peppermint oil for stronger repellency
- Pleasant, non-overpowering mint scent
- Non-staining formula safe on painted surfaces
- Effective against ants, roaches, and wildlife
Good to know
- Residual effect fades faster than dusts or aerosols
- Reapplication needed every few days in entry areas
- Less effective on heavy cobweb buildup alone
4. Smart Grower Peppermint Oil Spray
Smart Grower markets this spray as “maximum strength,” and the formula lives up to the claim with a noticeably higher concentration of pure peppermint essential oil than standard grocery-store brands. The difference shows immediately upon opening the bottle: the mint aroma is sharp and penetrating, cutting through musty basement air and filling a room within seconds. Buyers report that the spray creates a long-lasting barrier that keeps spiders, ants, crickets, and even camel spiders from crossing treated thresholds, and several mention that the smell remains detectable for days, signaling that the barrier is still active.
The formula is ready-to-use straight from the bottle, with no mixing or dilution required. The 16-ounce bottle covers a substantial perimeter, and the trigger nozzle delivers a steady stream that can be directed into corners, along window sills, and around door frames. For outdoor garden use, buyers note that the spray effectively repels aphids and ants from rose bushes without damaging the plants. The pure peppermint oil base means the spray is safe for use in kitchens and bedrooms once dry, though the strong scent during application may be too intense for small, enclosed spaces.
A few buyers note that the spray loses effectiveness against flying insects like hornets that hover near garage doors, and the bottle can leak if stored on its side after the nozzle is engaged. For year-round indoor perimeter protection against crawling spiders and insects, however, this is the most concentrated natural option available.
Why it’s great
- Maximum strength peppermint oil for stronger barrier
- Long-lasting residual activity compared to diluted sprays
- Safe for indoor use in kitchens and bedrooms
- Effective in garden on aphids and ants
Good to know
- Very strong mint aroma may overwhelm small spaces
- Bottle can leak if stored on its side
- Not effective against flying hornets
5. Eglagen Peppermint Oil Spray
Eglagen’s peppermint oil spray is the most affordable entry point into natural spider repellents, and it offers a concentrated formula — each 16-ounce bottle makes up to 2 gallons of diluted spray. That means you can treat a much larger area than a standard ready-to-use bottle, making it ideal for homeowners with expansive perimeters, multiple outbuildings, or garden beds that border the house. The pure peppermint essential oil base is safe around children and pets when applied as directed, and buyers report that the spray effectively repels chipmunks, squash bugs, and other garden pests when used outdoors.
The main trade-off is longevity. Several buyers note that the undiluted spray’s residual effect lasts only about a day before reapplication is needed, and the scent fades faster than the extra-strength formulas from Waspika or Smart Grower. For heavy spider infestations, the diluted spray may require more frequent reapplication, and some buyers report that it does not kill insects on contact — it only repels them. The spray works best as a light daily maintenance mist along baseboards and window frames rather than a one-shot knockdown treatment.
Another point to consider: the nozzle on some bottles has been reported to clog or fail after a few uses, which is a common issue with budget trigger sprays. If you plan to use the full concentrate at a 1:15 ratio, you will get many applications, but the sprayer itself may not last that long. For a low-cost, pet-safe daily mist to maintain a spider-repellent perimeter, this is a sensible starting point.
Why it’s great
- Concentrated formula makes 2 gallons of spray
- Safe for use around children and pets
- Effective on garden pests like chipmunks and squash bugs
- Very affordable entry point for natural repellents
Good to know
- Short residual effect, requires daily reapplication
- Does not kill insects on contact
- Nozzle may clog or fail after several uses
FAQ
Does peppermint oil actually repel spiders or does it just smell nice?
Should I spray the spider directly or treat the perimeter?
How often do I need to reapply a natural spider repellent?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most users, the best thing to get rid of spiders is the Wondercide Ant & Roach Aerosol because it delivers contact kill without synthetic chemicals and works safely around pets and kids. If you want a long-term barrier that reaches wall voids and crawl spaces where sprays cannot go, grab the Bonide 363 Spider & Ground Bee Killer. And for a budget-friendly daily perimeter mist that keeps spiders away without harsh fumes, nothing beats the Waspika Peppermint Oil Spray.