This Surprising Hack Will Keep Spiders Out of Your Car

Updated: Apr. 26, 2023

Be sure to clean out all nooks and crannies thoroughly. And then, because spiders despise the smell of lemon, you can use that as a leave-on repellent.

lemon essential oilNikolay Litov/Shutterstock

Finding a spider in your car can be an uncomfortable experience. When it continues to happen, it becomes an alarming reality. The last thing you want is to make your driving experience a frightening one, which is why you should tackle the problem immediately.

Arachnids in your vehicle can make you never want to drive again, but getting rid of them is actually quite easy! First, you’ll want to identify where the spiders are coming from. They like to hide in warm and sheltered places, so you’ll likely find them tucked behind your side-view mirrors and in your air vents. They may also be taking up residence under your hood, away from your engine, gathering in things like leaves.

Be sure to clean out all nooks and crannies thoroughly. And then, because spiders despise the smell of lemon, you can use that as a leave-on spider repellent. Here’s the formula: Five drops of lemon essential oil, five drops of dishwashing liquid, and one quart of water. Put all three ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well.

Spray the mixture on cobwebs, and around doors and windows. You can also place some of the essential oil on a cloth and swab your air vents with it. And if you find the spiders are following you into your home, here’s how to keep them out of the house.