As the weather begins to cool, many people notice an unexpected change inside their homes. Spiders that seemed almost invisible during the warmer months can suddenly become much easier to spot, especially around doors, corners, bathrooms, and other quiet areas.
For anyone who is uncomfortable around spiders, even a small increase in sightings can be frustrating.
September is often associated with increased spider activity in homes because male spiders become more active as they search for mates. That seasonal movement can make it seem as though spiders are suddenly appearing everywhere, even though many may have already been living unnoticed in or around the house.
One TikTok user who describes herself as a serious arachnophobe claims she found a simple homemade trick that has helped reduce the number of spiders she notices indoors.
Her method requires only a few inexpensive ingredients and takes just minutes to prepare.
The Simple Spider Repellent Hack
TikTok user @hazcolourfulhome shared her homemade method with followers, explaining that she had been using it for several years.
Her basic idea is surprisingly simple.
She combines Epsom salt with essential oil and places the mixture inside small net bags. The bags can then be positioned around parts of the home where spiders are commonly noticed.
In her video, she explained that she uses the method because of her strong fear of spiders and said she had not noticed any coming into her home since she started using the approach.
However, it is important to separate a personal experience from scientific proof. Her claim that the method has kept spiders away for years is her own observation. It does not establish that the same results will happen in every home.
Still, the idea is inexpensive enough that some homeowners may find it worth trying as part of a broader approach to reducing unwanted insects indoors.
What You Need to Make the DIY Bags
The ingredients are relatively easy to find.
You will need:
Epsom salt
Small breathable or net bags
Essential oil
The creator said there is no need to purchase an expensive brand of Epsom salt.
According to her explanation, inexpensive Epsom salt works for her because she believes the crystals can hold onto the essential oil rather than immediately dissolving it.
To make the bags, she recommends placing a generous amount of Epsom salt into each net bag and then adding essential oil.
The bag is then tied securely.
The resulting sachet can be placed in areas where spiders are commonly noticed, such as near entrances, in corners, or behind bathroom fixtures.
Because essential oils can leave an oily residue, the creator also offered an important practical warning. She advised being careful about placing the bags directly on wooden furniture or other surfaces that could potentially be affected by oils.
A small dish or another protective surface could help prevent direct contact.
Which Essential Oils Are Recommended?
The TikTok creator specifically mentioned lemon as one of her preferred choices.
She also suggested scents such as mint, eucalyptus, and lavender.
These fragrances are frequently mentioned online as possible spider deterrents because spiders may be sensitive to certain strong odors.
However, that does not mean every essential oil will reliably keep spiders away from a home.
The effectiveness of scent-based repellents can vary depending on the spider species, the concentration of the scent, ventilation, and other conditions inside the property.
For that reason, it is better to think of this DIY method as a household experiment rather than a guaranteed spider-proof solution.
If someone decides to try it, the safest approach is to use small quantities and place the sachets where they will not be touched frequently by children or pets.
Why Are More Spiders Appearing in September?
The timing of the trend is not entirely random.
During late summer and early autumn, people in some regions commonly report seeing more large spiders indoors. One major reason is that male spiders become more active during the mating season.
Rather than suddenly appearing from nowhere, some spiders may have been present around buildings for weeks or months.
The difference is that they are now moving around more.
Male spiders may leave their usual hiding places and travel in search of females. That increased movement makes them much more noticeable to people.
This is one reason a quiet house can suddenly seem to have a spider problem when the season changes.
Spiders May Already Be Living Nearby
Finding a spider inside the house does not necessarily mean it has recently entered from outside.
Homes contain many small, undisturbed spaces that can provide shelter for spiders. These include gaps, corners, storage areas, garages, sheds, window frames, and spaces behind furniture.
Some spiders can remain unnoticed for long periods because they spend much of their time in locations that people rarely inspect.
Then, when they become more active, homeowners suddenly start seeing them.
This can create the impression that there has been a dramatic invasion when the actual change may simply be increased movement.
Can Epsom Salt Really Keep Spiders Away?
This is where some caution is needed.
The original TikTok post presents the Epsom salt and essential oil combination as a successful spider deterrent based on the creator’s personal experience. But personal experience alone is not enough to demonstrate that the mixture is an effective spider repellent under controlled conditions.
The Epsom salt itself should not be viewed as a proven spider-control ingredient.
The theory behind the hack is more closely connected to the strong fragrance of essential oils.
Even then, results may vary considerably.
A strong scent may discourage some spiders from spending time in a particular area, but that does not necessarily mean it will prevent them from entering a building or eliminate an existing spider population.
For homeowners dealing with repeated sightings, reducing access points and removing conditions that attract insects can be more dependable strategies.
Simple Ways to Reduce Spider Sightings
The homemade sachets can be combined with several basic household practices.
Start by checking doors and windows.
Small gaps around frames can provide potential entry points for insects and other small creatures.
Sealing obvious cracks and improving door seals may reduce opportunities for unwanted visitors to enter.
Keeping areas around windows and entrances clean can also help.
Outdoor lighting is another factor worth considering. Lights can attract flying insects, and insects can provide food for spiders. Reducing unnecessary exterior lighting or using lighting positioned farther away from doors may help reduce insect activity immediately around entrances.
Regular cleaning can also make certain areas less attractive to spiders.
Vacuuming corners, ceilings, storage areas, and behind furniture can remove webs and insects while giving homeowners a chance to spot potential entry points.
Don’t Forget About the Food Source
One of the most practical ways to understand spider activity is to consider what attracts them in the first place.
Spiders are predators, and many species feed on insects and other small creatures.
If a home has a noticeable insect problem, it may naturally become a more attractive place for spiders.
That means controlling insects can sometimes be more useful than focusing entirely on the spiders themselves.
Keeping food sealed, cleaning crumbs, managing household waste, repairing screens, and reducing unnecessary moisture can all contribute to a less insect-friendly environment.
In other words, instead of simply asking how to get rid of spiders, it can be useful to ask why they are finding the house attractive.
A Simple Trick, But Not a Guaranteed Solution
The Epsom salt and essential oil method has become popular because it is inexpensive, simple, and easy to prepare.
The TikTok creator says she has used the technique for years and believes it has helped keep spiders away from her home. Her sister reportedly tried the same approach and also felt that it worked.
Those experiences may be interesting to other homeowners, particularly people looking for alternatives to commercial products.
But there is an important distinction between a viral household tip and a scientifically established pest-control method.
There is no guarantee that placing scented Epsom salt bags around a home will prevent spiders from appearing.
Results may depend on many factors, including the type of spider, the structure of the home, local conditions, and the availability of food and shelter.
Should You Try the DIY Spider Sachets?
For someone who simply wants to experiment with a low-cost household method, the sachets may be an option.
The ingredients are relatively inexpensive, preparation is straightforward, and the bags can be placed discreetly around the home.
However, they should be treated as a supplementary measure rather than a guaranteed solution.
Homeowners should also be careful when using concentrated essential oils. Some oils can irritate skin, and certain essential oils may be unsuitable around pets. Keeping the sachets away from children and animals and following the safety instructions for the particular oil is a sensible precaution.
If spider activity becomes unusually heavy or persistent, identifying and addressing entry points and insect activity may be more effective than relying on scent alone.
Why September Can Feel Like Spider Season
For many homeowners, the arrival of September can make spiders suddenly seem much more noticeable.
The cooler weather, seasonal activity, and movement of male spiders can all contribute to increased sightings.
That does not necessarily mean homes are suddenly being overrun.
In many cases, the spiders were already nearby. They are simply becoming easier to see.
A homemade sachet containing Epsom salt and essential oil may be an interesting addition to a cleaning routine, especially for people who dislik