Spiders are one of the most prevalent household pests—and also one of the most feared. No one likes to see spiders in or around their home, which makes it extra irritating that they like to hang out on upper-story balconies.
Luckily, there are a ton of easy and foolproof remedies you can use to prevent spiders from setting up shop on your balcony.
So, what is the short answer to the question of how to get rid of spiders on balcony?
The approach that needs to be taken to get rid of spiders on a balcony will vary depending on the species of spider in question. However, general measures include removing clutter and debris that can provide shelter, using pesticides or other repellants, and trimming back vegetation.
The rest of this article will explain in detail why spiders love to hang out on your balcony or deck and how you can get rid of them, including using natural repellents such as citrus, garlic, and eucalyptus, as well as non-natural remedies such as electronic repellents and Borax.
Why are so many spiders on my balcony?
Spiders love to gather wherever they can easily catch food and obtain water. They also like dark, high areas, which is one reason they find the upper corners of your balcony so appealing.
When it comes to food, flying insects such as flies and mosquitoes are abundant on outdoor balconies, making the perfect feast for a spider. In short, balconies are excellent places for spiders to live.
Fortunately, there are a number of actions you can take in order to get rid of spiders on your balcony.
How do I keep spiders off my balcony?
There are many things you can try to keep spiders off of your balcony. While there are a lot of homemade remedies you can try, if you do not have the time or inclination to do so, one of the easiest repellents you can try using is an electronic one.
Electronic repellents (Amazon link) work by emitting ultrasonic sounds which are too high-pitched for humans to hear. Only spiders can hear them, and they do not like the sound. They will do everything they can to avoid it!
A bonus for electronic repellents is that you do not have to worry about using other ingredients which may be harmful or poisonous to humans or pets.
If you have other animals in your home, an electronic repellent may be the way to go. One thing to keep in mind when using electronic spider repellents, however, is that they must be located near an electric outlet, as they must remain plugged in.
Keeping your balcony as clean as possible is another easy remedy you can try. Spiders are attracted to dark, dank places and areas where they can easily hide. By keeping your balcony free of debris and spider webs, you can take away most of the places that spiders like to make their homes.
If you are willing to try some natural remedies, there are many scents that are excellent at repelling spiders.
What scent keeps spiders away?
There are several scents that spiders do not enjoy. Since spiders have a very strong sense of smell, lots of things with strong scents work to repel spiders. Some of these scents include cedar, vinegar, citrus, and peppermint oil.
To use cedar to repel spiders from your home, try using cedar mulch or cedar oil. With the oil, you can use a mixture of water and oil to spray the exterior of your balcony. With the mulch, you can try placing it in pots around your balcony, especially if you have balcony plants there.
Vinegar is another strong scent that works to repel spiders. You can use it in the same manner as cedar oil: simply place a mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and use it to spray anywhere where spiders like to enter your balcony and spin their webs.
This spray should be used every day, especially when it is hot and humid out.
Citrus is a cheap and easy spider repellent, since you can simply use leftover peels from oranges, lemons, limes, or grapefruits. Take the leftover peels and rub them on the areas of your balcony where spiders like to hang around. The strong scent should help keep them away.
Lastly, you can use peppermint oil in the same way as cedar oil and vinegar. Create a mixture of the oil and water in a spray bottle and apply the mixture anywhere where spiders like to enter and spin webs. This will help get rid of spiders on your balcony. See the video below for a live tutorial!
What is a natural spider repellent?
Natural spider repellents are any natural items that help to keep spiders away. We have already discussed some excellent natural spider repellents above, such as cedar, citrus, and more. However, those are not the only natural spider repellents you may try to get rid of spiders on your balcony.
Tobacco is one natural remedy that spiders hate. You can use loose tobacco leaves by spreading them around your balcony, especially where spiders like to hide.
You can also create tobacco balls by mixing the tobacco leaves with a mixture of water and flour. Shape them into balls and then place them around your balcony. Be sure to keep these away from children and pets.
Eucalyptus oil is another oil-based repellent you can try. Just like the mixtures we discussed in the previous section, mix the oil and water in a spray bottle and squirt the mixture anywhere where spiders may be on your balcony.
As a bonus, eucalyptus oil is also a repellent for other pests such as snakes and mosquitoes!
If you do not have eucalyptus oil, you can try placing sprigs of fresh eucalyptus from the eucalyptus tree about. This should have the same effect as the oil in repelling spiders and other pests.
Garlic is yet another natural repellent for spiders. It requires a little bit of mixing, however. Placing full bulbs of fresh garlic will not do anything to keep spiders away. Instead, you must crush a clove of garlic and mix it with water.
Then, place this mixture in a spray bottle and coat the areas of your balcony where spiders appear.
What is the best spider killer?
If you are trying to not only repel spiders but also kill the ones that are already on your balcony, you may try a remedy like Borax or Hedge apples.
Borax is probably the best spider killer, as it will kill any spider that comes into contact with it. To utilize it, simply sprinkle the Borax on any areas where spiders may be entering your balcony as well as any areas where they are spinning their webs.
Hedge apples are a natural remedy that will also kill spiders. In fact, this is a very old practical repellent for spiders. Hedge apples come from the Osage orange tree, and they are also sometimes known as monkey balls or spider balls.
If you do choose to use these as a spider repellent, however, be very careful. Wear gloves when handling them, and make sure to wash your hands afterward. If you have children or pets, be sure to keep them away from the Borax and Hedge apples, as they can be hazardous.
Why do spiders like high rises?
Spiders like high rises because tall buildings provide both heat and light. Although spiders generally prefer dark corners to hide in, light works to lure in the bugs that spiders like to catch for their dinner.
If they spin their webs near a window, they are guaranteed to have a plentiful food source.
The heat also means that they will be able to remain active for longer during the year, even during the winter.
How to get rid of high rise spiders
To get rid of high rise spiders, you can use any or all of the same remedies that we have already outlined above. If the spiders you are trying to get rid of are indoors, it will be helpful to focus your efforts on any cracks or potential entrances that the spiders are using to get inside your high rise.
How to get rid of spider webs on balcony
A large part of getting rid of spider webs is going to be getting rid of the spiders that are spinning them. Make sure that you are utilizing the remedies that we have already discussed in this article on how to get rid of spiders on balcony.
However, getting rid of the webs themselves can also help to get rid of the spiders, since you are removing their homes!
Use a broom, brush, or hose to tear down the spider webs on your balcony, then use any of the remedies we have discussed above to repel the spiders from simply remaking the webs in the same spot.
Any remedy which you can put in a spray bottle is especially effective since you will be able to spray the solution in the exact spot where you have just torn down the spider web.
Lastly, remember how we emphasized keeping your balcony clean? This is a big part of that. You want to make sure that your balcony does not have any messy or disorderly areas where spiders can spin their webs, but making sure that the spiderwebs are not there to begin with is important as well.
During the times of the year where spiders are the most prevalent, such as the summer, make sure you are removing the spider webs from your balcony at least once per day. This will help to get rid of spiders on your balcony.
Endnote on how to get rid of spiders on balcony
In conclusion, there are many ways to get rid of spiders on your balcony. You can use spider repellents and cleaning to keep them away.
However, the most important thing is to be consistent with your efforts. Keep using these tips to keep the spiders away. In time, your spider problem will eventually go away.
Lastly, should you, your family members, or pets get bitten by spiders or dangerous insects, which can be poisonous depending on where you live, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention.
The same goes for situations where a person or a pet might have been exposed to spider repellents and insecticides that are or can be, toxic.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any spider repellent plants?
Some popular spider repellent plants include lavender, peppermint, and thyme; however, it is important to note that there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that these plants actually repel spiders.
Some people believe that the strong scent of these plants confuses or irritates spiders, causing them to avoid the area. It is also important to note that different spiders have different sensitivities to smells, so this may not be effective for all species.
Do crab apples keep spiders away?
There is no scientific evidence that crab apples keep spiders away. However, there is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that crab apples may keep spiders away. One theory is that the sour smell of crab apples confuses spiders.
Does Eucalyptus keep spiders away?
While some people may anecdotally report that spiders seem to avoid areas where Eucalyptus oil is used, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
Some say that the strong scent of the eucalyptus plant naturally repels spiders, while others claim that the mere presence of the plant in a room is enough to keep the spiders at bay.
Do hedge balls keep spiders away?
There is no definitive answer to this question as the effect that hedge balls have on spiders differs depending on the species of spider.
Again, while there is no scientific evidence that hedge balls actually repel spiders, there are theories about why this could be the case.
One theory is that the smell of the hedge balls deters the spiders, as they do not like strong odors.
Another theory is that the prickly texture of the hedge balls makes it difficult for spiders to move around, and they, therefore, avoid these areas.
Does Borax kill spiders?
The quick answer to this question is yes, Borax can kill spiders. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of Borax as a spider killer will vary depending on the species of spider and the amount of Borax used.
For example, a small amount of Borax may be effective at killing spiders, but it can also be harmful to pets and humans if ingested. It is therefore important to take into account the specific situation before using Borax as a spider killer.