10 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Brown Recluse Spiders [Homemade Repellent]

Brown Recluse Spiders are a type of poisonous spider. If they bite, it will require significant medical attention. These spiders are found in the southern part of the USA, in states such as texas, western Georgia, the southern parts of Iowa, Illinois, and the southwestern part of Nebraska.

These spiders usually live outside in woodpiles and trees, but they can also make webs in garages, closets, and cellars, or anywhere that is warm and dry.

This is why it is extremely important to take measures to keep these spiders away. Thankfully, you can do so using natural methods, which we will discuss in this article. 

How to Get Rid of Brown Recluse Spiders Naturally?

Below are 10 effective natural ways to get rid of brown recluse spiders. These methods include the usage of household products to kill brown recluse spiders naturally, homemade repellent spray, natural sticky traps and several other natural remedies to keep brown recluse spiders away.

1. Sticky Traps

Sticky Traps are extremely effective at catching Brown Recluse Spiders. These spiders have long legs, so when they walk over the traps, they will get stuck.

You can get spider traps specifically, or you can also use rats traps. This is one of the safest ways to catch any spider because it does not use any chemicals. 

Required Items:

• Sticky Traps

Step by Step Process:

• Start by identifying the areas that may have brown recluse spiders. You can do so by checking for spider webs. 
• Place sticky traps near those areas. You can place these traps on the walls as well using double-sided tape. 
• Wait for 24 hours before checking back on the traps. 
• If you have caught a spider in the trap, carefully fold the trap and discard it far away from your home. 

Precautions:

Avoid getting the glue on the traps on your hands or your clothes because it can be extremely difficult to remove. 

2. Apple Cider Vinegar as Natural Repellent for Brown Recluse Spiders

Apple cider vinegar can be used as a way to repel and kill Brown Recluse Spiders. When sprayed directly onto the spiders, they will die.

However, the strong smell of apple cider vinegar can also repel the spiders from your home. This is a quick yet easy way to get rid of these insects using homemade ingredients. 

Required Items:

• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Dish Soap 
• Water 
• Spray Bottle 

Step by Step Process:

• Make a mixture of ½ cup of apple cider vinegar with ½ cup of water. 
• Add 2 to 3 drops of dish soap into the bottle. Close the lid and shake well. 
• Whenever you notice a brown recluse spider, especially if it is on a web, spray it directly with the mixture. Try to cover it with the liquid. 
• The spider may run away, but it will die within a few minutes. 
• Carefully pick it up using a paper towel and discard it far away from your home. 

Precautions:

The smell will evaporate and disappear after a day or so, therefore you must re-apply the solution every other day. 

3. Homemade Brown Recluse Spiders Spray Using Dish Soap

Dish soap is an extremely effective way to kill brown recluse spiders. Spraying a dish soap spray directly onto a brown recluse spider will kill them immediately.

This is a tedious method as you will have to go after every individual spider. However, this is an extremely efficient way to get rid of an infestation, especially in areas such as woodpiles, or your attic. 

Required Items:

• Dish Soap
• Water 
• Spray Bottle 

Step by Step Process:

• In a spray bottle add ½ cup of water. Add 2 teaspoons of dish liquid into it. 
• Shake the bottle well before using the spray. 
• When you notice a brown recluse spider, spray it directly with soapy water. It should die soon after. 
• You can also use this method on the nest of a brown recluse spider to kill all eggs or young spiders. 
• Discard the dead spiders far away from your home. 

Precautions:

Always make sure to wipe down any area that you spray this mixture on, otherwise, you may slip on the soapy water. 

4. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth is a fine powder that is commonly used to get rid of crawling insects. This is a good way to get rid of Brown Recluse Spiders.

Although this powder is perfect for killing brown recluse spiders, it can be difficult to get the powder onto the spiders. So, the best way to use this method is to sprinkle this powder directly on the spiders and their nest or webs. 

Required Items:

• Diatomaceous Earth Powder
• Applicator for the powder

Step by Step Process:

• Diatomaceous Earth Powder works best when it comes in contact with the insect, however, since spiders have long legs, it is unlikely that they will touch the powder directly if they walk over it. Therefore, you should Sprinkle a generous amount of this powder on the web of the spider. 
• You can also use an applicator and spray the powder directly into an infested area.
• If the spiders consume or walk over the powder, their body will start to dry out and they will die soon after. 
• Discard the spiders carefully, away from your home. 

Precautions:

Always use food-grade diatomaceous earth, which is the purest form. 

5. Vacuum to Get rid of Brown Recluse Spiders Naturally

If you encounter a brown recluse spider in your home, you can vacuum it up and discard it far away. You can also vacuum up the webs and any eggs they may have laid to prevent any more brown recluse spiders.

When you use this method, you must be very careful and you have to discard the vacuumed up spider far away from your home to be safe. 

Required Items:

• Handheld vacuum

Step by Step Process:

• First, you must find the brown recluse spiders inside or outside your home. 
• Carefully turn on your vacuum and start vacuuming the web, the spider, and any eggs. 
• After you have vacuumed everything up, wear a pair of gloves and empty the content of the vacuum into a plastic bag. 
• Throw the bag far away from your home. 

Precautions:

Always discard the content of the vacuum in a secluded or wooded area. 

6. Citrus Fruits

The strong smell of citrus will keep brown recluse spiders away from your home. You can use any citrus fruit like orange, lemon, grapefruit, or lime.

You can use the peels and the juice to get rid of these spiders. However, this method is a short-term solution, so make sure to use this along with other methods. 

Required Items:

• Lemons or Oranges
• Spray bottle (optional)

Step by Step Process:

• Peel 5 to 6 lemons or oranges. 
• Juice the lemons or oranges and store the juice in the refrigerator to use later. You can optionally put the juice into a spray bottle. 
• Squeeze the peels lightly before placing them in closed-off and cluttered places. 
• Spread the juice from the lemons or oranges outside your home in areas that can become infested with brown recluse spiders. 
• Repeat this process every 2 days to keep them out of your home. 

Precautions:

This is a temporary method, and you will be required to replace the peels every 2 days, so use it as a last resort only. 

7.  Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus Oil is commonly used as an insect repellent in many households. It is also often used in commercial insect repellents.

You can easily make a Eucalyptus oil spray at home and use it to deter these dangerous spiders from your home. However, always keep in mind that the effect will last as long as the smell is strong enough. 

Required Items:

• Eucalyptus Oil
• Rubbing Alcohol 
• Water 
• Spray Bottle 

Step by Step Process:

• In a spray bottle, add ½ cup of water along with ½ cup of rubbing alcohol.
•  Add 10 to 15 drops of Eucalyptus oil into the mixture and close the bottle. 
• Shake it before use. Spray in every closed space, cluttered area, and corner of your home. Cover any area that may be affected by spiders. 
• Spray it directly onto any spiderweb as well. 
• The spiders will be repelled by the smell and they will go away from your home. 
• Spray again after 4 to 5 days, once the smell has dissipated. 

Precautions:

Brown Recluse spiders are quite dangerous, so always make sure to use a prevention method after using this method, so that they do not return. 

8. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is a common insect repellent used by gardeners and farmers. It is a very safe and efficient way to get rid of spiders from your home as well. You can buy commercial products to do so, or you can make your own peppermint spray at home.

The effects of this spray will last as long as the smell lasts, so always pair this method with other prevention methods to keep these arachnids out. 

Required Items:

• Peppermint Oil
• Water 
• Rubbing Alcohol 
• Spray Bottle 

Step by Step Process:

• In a spray bottle add ½ cup of water with ½ cup of rubbing alcohol. 
• Add 15 to 20 drops of peppermint oil into the mixture. Close the bottle and shake well. 
• Spray this mixture around your house, concentrating on closed spaces and the areas that have a lot of clutter. Places such as the attic, storage room, basement, pantry are some of the most common places where you can find these spiders. 
• You can also spray this mixture directly on any brown recluse spider nest if you find it. 
• The spiders will run away immediately. You can keep them out for a few days until the smell starts to disappear. 

Precautions:

This method is a temporary way to get rid of these spiders, so always use other methods along with it to keep them out permanently. 

9. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is known for its anti-microbial properties, however, it is also a great spider repellent. You can use Tea tree oil in a spray form to get rid of brown recluse spiders from your home.

This is a temporary solution as the effects of this spray last only a few days, so you have to re-apply the mixture every few days and also employ other prevention methods as well. However, this is a very safe and easy method to get rid of these spiders. 

Required Items:

• Tea Tree Oil 
• Rubbing Alcohol 
• Spray Bottle 
• Water 

Step by Step Process:

• In a spray bottle add ½ cup of rubbing alcohol, with ½ cup of water. 
• Mix 10 to 15 drops of Tea Tree Oil into the mixture. Close the bottle and shake well. 
• Now you can use this spray to keep brown recluse spiders out of your home. Spray the mixture in all corners and cluttered areas. Do not forget to spray directly on any web that you may find outside your home.  
• The smell of the tea tree oil will keep these spiders out of your home while keeping your house smelling fresh. 

Precautions:

This solution is temporary, so additional prevention methods need to be put into place to make sure the spiders do not return. 

10. Ultrasonic repellent

Ultrasonic repellents are a favorite among many homeowners for getting rid of spiders, especially brown recluse spiders. These repellents use ultrasonic sound to repel these arachnids, without making you uncomfortable in any way.

This is a great method if you have a child or a dog who may be irritated by other repellents. It is also a safe method. 

Required Items:

• Ultrasonic Repellents

Step by Step Process:

• You can use one or multiple ultrasonic repellents in your home to get rid of brown recluse spiders. The close it is to the spider, the better it will work. 
• Connect the ultrasonic repellent to a power source and turn it on, especially at night. 
• Turn it off during the day, so that the spiders do not get used to it.
• The strong ultrasonic sound will drive out the spiders from your home. Keep in mind that they can still live outside your home.  

Precautions:

Ultrasonic Sounds are not 100% effective, and only works when the sound is very close to the spiders, so always use preventative methods with this method as well. 

How To Keep Brown Recluse Spiders Away Naturally?

Below are 5 natural ways to keep brown recluse spiders away. These simple natural techniques are proved very effective to prevent brown recluse spiders.

1. Keep your house clean

Brown Recluse Spiders may be living in your house because there is a constant food source for them. They do not usually feed on human food, but rather they hunt down other insects such as cockroaches, and moths.

If your house is cluttered and uncleaned, then your house may become a breeding ground for these insects, which in turn, will attract the brown recluse spiders.

Moreover, if you have a lot of old cardboard or wood packaging, these spiders may be encouraged to build their webs on them, since they resemble the outside environment. Keeping your house clean and clutter-free will prevent brown recluse spiders from coming inside. 

2. Seal all openings in your house

Brown Recluse Spiders can crawl through small cracks and openings in your house. The best way to prevent it is to use caulk to close all gaps and cracks in your houses, including the ceiling and floor.

You can also use mesh screens to cover any ventilator, windows, and doors to prevent spiders from entering your house. 

3. Move woodpiles away from your home

Woodpiles are one of the most common areas you will find brown recluse spiders. Whether you have a pile of firewood, or you recently cut down a tree, if there is a pile of wood or tree branches, near your house, it could be the source of brown recluse spiders.

Move the pile of wood or branches away from your house and store it far away so that any spider that may be living inside the pile does not come into your house regularly. 

4. Minimize outdoor lighting

Brown Recluse Spiders usually come out at night to find food and shelter. If you have a lot of outdoor lights, it can easily attract these spiders to come and live in your garden or house. If you have a lot of outdoor lights, make sure to keep them off as much as possible. 

5. Clear out all spider webs

The best way to discourage brown recluse spiders from living in your house or your property is to destroy their nest, i.e. their web.

Anytime you see a spider web, carefully remove it using a twig or a vacuum. When the spider returns to find that their web is gone, they will go away and build their web in a different area. 

Top 5 Natural Repellents to Get rid of Brown Recluse Spiders

If you are looking for readily available natural repellents to get rid of brown recluse spiders, check below listed best Natural and Organic brown recluse spiders repellents.

Final Words:

Brown Recluse Spiders are very dangerous to have around. The bite of a brown recluse spider can cause tissue necrosis in humans, and if they bite small animals like your pets, it could potentially kill them.

It is extremely important to immediately seek medical attention if you or your pet has been bitten by one of these spiders. This is also why it is very important to get rid of them from your surroundings.

If you start noticing an infestation, it is a good idea to call exterminators, however, if you notice a few of them around your house, you can easily take care of them using the natural methods mentioned in the article.