Sometimes, despite your best efforts, spiders become a persistent population. If you see a dozen every night, or spot black widows or brown recluses, it’s time to bring in a pro. Pest control companies can spray the perimeter with stuff that lasts months. One treatment is cheaper than a year of anxiety.
But for the everyday eight-legged house guest? A little peppermint, a good vacuum, and some caulk really do the trick. You’re the boss of your home, not them.
Remember that spider in the lampshade? I sprayed a little peppermint oil near the bulb, vacuumed its web, and it moved to the shed within two days. Now I live in peace, and it lives where it belongs—outside, where I can appreciate it from a safe distance.