If you hate spiders as much as I do, seeing them in your bed can be a nightmare. When looking for dark places to hide, they tend to gravitate towards things like the closet and, even worse, your bed. However, there are ways to keep them out of your bed, ensuring you don’t have to wake up to creepy crawlies all over your blanket.
If you cringe at the idea of spiders in your bed, you are not alone. Let’s go into detail about how to keep them away so you no longer have to worry about being faced with such a situation.
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1. Wash Your Sheets Regularly
While spiders aren’t attracted to crumbs and other things found on your sheets, other pests are. The spiders then turn up to hunt these pets while they attempt to feed. Regularly washing your sheets can help keep those bugs away and prevent spiders from coming along to clean them up.
Spiders and bugs, in general, tend to be put off by the scent of fresh laundry so you should use a detergent that smells clean and fresh to help keep them away longer. Also, dryer sheets, fabric softener, and other scented items can also be helpful.
2. Keep the Bedroom Clean
Similar to washing your sheets, keeping your bedroom clean can help as well. You should vacuum and dust often to keep bugs away. Remember, if there are bugs, there will be spiders who come looking for a meal.
So, keep the nightstands and other furniture clean, make sure you take out the trash regularly, and vacuum often and thoroughly.
Additionally, don’t forget to clean darker places like closets and vents. The dark, cool environment inside makes it a perfect hiding spot for spiders. The more thorough you are with cleaning, the less likely you will see any more spiders in your bedroom.
3. Don’t Let Your Sheets Hang on the Floor
Depending on the size of your bed, there’s a chance that your sheets will hang on the floor. While letting your sheets hang is often more convenient and takes less effort, it also gives spiders a convenient spot from which to climb onto your bed.
The best way to prevent this is to make your bed every day and tuck your sheets in so that they do not hang. While spiders will still be able to climb onto your bed, it won’t be as easy.
You might also want to read: Flat vs. Fitted Sheets: Which Bedclothes Are Better?
4. Clean Under Your Bed
Sometimes the problem is not your bed being dirty, but rather the space under your bed. There’s a lot of dirt and dust that can accumulate under there, including skin cells and food particles.
No matter how clean your bed is, the mess under your bed can still attract bugs and spiders.
To prevent this, try not to keep too many things under your bed. It can be a great storage space, but leaving things under there can result in them gathering dust and dirt. It can also keep you from cleaning there regularly because moving that stuff out can be difficult.
Cleaning under your bed should be a regular part of your cleaning routine.
5. Use Boric Acid to Kill Spiders
Boric acid can really come in handy when trying to get rid of spiders. Not only does it repel other bugs like roaches and termites, but it also kills spiders if they ingest it.
However, keep in mind that this may not be the best option for people with children or pets, as it can also be harmful to them if they consume it in high amounts.
Keeping other bugs and pests away is normally enough to keep spiders away, as they will then have no food source. But boric acid takes it a step further, causing spiders to dehydrate and die if ingested.
This option may be the best one to handle an already out of control spider problem because it not only gets rid of their food source but can kill the pesky arachnids themselves.
Even if spiders don’t ingest the acid, even walking on it can cause issues for them. When spiders walk over boric acid, the acid can cause holes in their skin. Depending on how much damage was done, the spider will be in a lot of pain and may even die.
You want to make sure the spider comes into contact with the boric acid. So, it is best to put it anywhere you think they may be coming in and line your bed with it to keep spiders off of it.
6. Don’t Eat in Bed
It can be tempting to grab a snack and lay in bed, but that will attract bugs and leave crumbs in your sheets. Even eating on top of your comforter can leave crumbs that make their way into your sheets as you sleep.
No one is perfect. We all eat in bed sometimes. However, if you are looking for ways to keep spiders out, this may have to stop.
While those crumbs in bed may seem to be harmless, they are actually a great way to attract bugs. And once you attract bugs, you attract spiders to eat those bugs.
Even crumbs that are pushed to the floor pose a risk as it attracts bugs to that spot. From there on, they may find their way to your bed.
If you really enjoy eating in bed and don’t want to stop, then try to wash your sheets after eating.
You could even vacuum your sheets when you are done eating just to make sure nothing was left behind. However, it is recommended that you don’t eat in bed at all to keep spiders away.
7. Position Your Bed Away From the Wall and Other Furniture
Spiders tend to find their way by crawling up and down surfaces like walls, counters, tables, and most other things that touch the ground.
If your nightstand is close to your bed, then spiders can use it to reach your bed. Similarly, if your bedding touches the nightstand, that will be an easy way for spiders to reach your bed.
Make sure there is a good distance between your nightstand and bed. This will prevent spiders from getting on your nightstand and reaching your bed.
That’s not everything that poses a risk when it comes to spiders crawling. It is common to keep stools or small dressers at the foot of the bed. Spiders can climb those easily and find their way onto your bed.
This also applies to your bed’s distance from the wall. Spiders are frequently found crawling up the wall or living in webs in the corner of the room, and if your bed is against the wall, they can easily access your bed from there.
So, try to position your bed away from the wall at least a few inches. Remember, if your sheets are touching the wall, that’s a risk too. Try to move your bed a distance away from all other surfaces.
8. Don’t Leave Water Sitting on Your Nightstand
Many different types of bugs are attracted to water, especially stagnant water. This is because it is an easier source of nutrition for them. This then means that spiders are attracted to these sources, too, as they know stagnant water often means a food source.
In the wild, you’ll often notice a lot of spiders near lakes and other places where water sits still. Many different bugs will gravitate here to live and eat, so spiders make their way to these spots looking for a meal ticket as well.
When they enter your home, they are going to look for the same areas to find food as they would find outside. This means that stagnant water sources are a target for them. So, make sure you aren’t leaving any water sitting on your nightstand for long periods of time, or you may have an eight-legged visitor.
9. Try an Electronic Pest Repeller
Electronic pest repellers emit high-pitched noises that repel many different types of bugs and pests. It even works on rodents.
To use it, all you need to do is plug it into your wall to keep those annoying pests away from your bedroom, including spiders. This is a great option if you don’t want to mess with any traps or chemicals.
- Fine tuned the range of ultrasonic frequencies
- Three function modes, green, blue and red, green and...
- It can cover an area of 80 to 120 square meters
- Put one in one room as ultrasonic wave can not...
Keep in mind that high-pitched sounds have been known to cause issues with hearing aids and telephone signals. While cats and dogs can hear it, they don’t seem to be bothered by it. However, because the noise is made to also repel rodents, it is not good for pets like hamsters, rats, and guinea pigs.
Repellers come in many different variations depending on what you are looking for. I recommend this pest repeller from Amazon. It is a great option for most rooms and can cover an area of 80 to 120 square meters (850 -1300 sq ft). It comes in different settings, so you can control the sound. The highest setting is fully audible to humans, but it works quickly to get pests away.
Keep it high for major infestations, and then once it does, it’s your job to turn it down to keep them away.
Another option to consider is the MAIKAILUN Pest Repeller. This four-pack will come in handy if you want to keep spiders and other bugs out of multiple rooms. All you need to do is plug it into a power source, and it will go to work right away.
Though electronic pest repellers aren’t made for people with rodent pets, they can really come in handy for those who don’t want to use harsh chemicals in their homes around their children or pets. Put the repeller as close to your bed as possible to get as much clearance as you can, and don’t be afraid to leave it plugged in for extended periods of time if need be.
Related: Does Raid Kill Spiders? (Using Raid for Spiders)
10. Make Sure Your Walls and Windows Are Sealed
Another great way of keeping spiders out of your bed is to board up the entrance points so they can’t get in. They can fit through tiny holes that we may not even be able to see in walls and windows. Make sure to fill those gaps tightly to prevent them from entering your home.
When the weather changes, spiders will crawl through whatever holes they can find in order to get to the warmth of your home. Keep them out of your bed by keeping them out of your home altogether. You can do this by sealing the edges of windows and holes in the wall tightly. This will keep them out of your home and away from your bed.
Caulk is best for sealing edges of windows and any holes you find. I recommend the Gorilla 100% Silicone Sealant. This seal is resistant to mold and mildew, dries quickly, and will not turn yellow. It is white and should match most walls and windows, and is made of 100% silicone, so you won’t have to worry about cracking or damage, making it easier to keep spiders out.
11. Some Essential Oils Can Help Keep Spiders Away
Soaking your sheets in some kinds of essential oils can keep spiders away as they may think it is harmful or dangerous. Some options you should consider include lavender and tea tree oil.
Lavender is a great relaxer, and adding it to your bedding can also be a great way to help you relax and sleep better at night. It is commonly used in sleep assisting medications and formulas and is definitely the essential oil that I would recommend.
That said, tea tree oil has also been proven to be a great insect repellant and boasts other benefits as well. It is a natural deodorizer, so it will keep your sheets smelling nice and clean.
Tea tree oil is also very healing. It is great for acne or cuts and scrapes that you want to heal quickly. It may not be calming like lavender, but it will promote healthy skin and keep spiders away.
Peppermint oil will also work well to keep spiders away. It has a very strong scent that turns insects away.
Keep in mind that you need to use small amounts of oil and dilute it before using it. Otherwise, the smell can be overpowering.
You may also like: The Best Places to Put an Essential Oil Diffuser
12. Use Vinegar as a Natural Insecticide
The scent of vinegar, like peppermint oil, will keep insects (including spiders) far away. Always dilute vinegar before using it, or the smell will be way too strong for you. You can also soak your sheets in a vinegar mixture to help keep spiders away. While it may not smell the best, it is a low-cost option that is probably something you already have in your home.
You should also consider spraying the vinegar mixture around your bed if you have rugs or a carpet. Do this to any curtains you have as well, just to be safe. The more surfaces you spray it on, the more likely it is to work successfully. You can dilute the vinegar with different substances if you want to get creative and experiment with the scent and effectiveness, but the easiest option is using water.
Water and vinegar are enough to get rid of those pesky spiders and other bugs that make their way into your bed.
Before you start spraying, keep in mind that you will be smelling this mixture for a while. I like vinegar as much as the next person, but smelling it when I sleep is not ideal. Make sure to consider this before spraying it in your bedroom, as the smell may linger for a while and is hard to get rid of.
However, you may also want to consider whether it is worse to smell vinegar for a few days or have spiders in your bed. For me, it’s worth it to get rid of those annoying arachnids.
13. Call the Exterminator
By far the last option you’ll want to look into is the exterminator. I only advise people to do this if their home is infested with spiders. After all, an exterminator does a thorough job, but they can be expensive, so there’s no need to call them if you have under a dozen spiders or so.
Final Thoughts
Spiders aren’t fun roommates, especially when they get in your bed while you’re trying to sleep. However, there are several ways to ensure that they don’t bother you when you’re sleeping, from keeping your room clean to washing your sheets. A thorough cleaning of the room will do the job just fine.
If you want even more protection, try repellants like vinegar, essential oils, and electronic repellers. Whatever you choose, just remember that the goal is also to keep other bugs away. Without other bugs around, spiders will have nothing to eat and no reason to visit and stay.
Keeping spiders away from your bed: List of Methods
- Wash your sheets regularly
- Keep the bedroom clean
- Don’t let your sheets hang on the floor
- Clean under your bed
- Use boric acid to kill spiders
- Don’t eat in bed
- Position your bed away from the wall and other furniture
- Don’t leave water sitting on your nightstand
- Try an electronic pest repeller
- Make sure your walls and windows are sealed
- Some essential oils can help keep spiders away
- Use vinegar as a natural insecticide
- Call the exterminator
