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One of the more common bugs you’ll have to deal with when tent camping is spiders.
And while most are harmless, it’s a good idea to keep your tent spider free to prevent the possibility of a painful (and rarely fatal) bite.
So, let’s learn how to keep spiders out of your tent with these seven proven and effective tips!
How to Keep Spiders Out of a Tent
The best way to keep spiders out of your tent is to keep your tent sealed as often as possible. This means keeping the tent door zipped up at all times and ensuring there are no holes in the tent fabric or mesh. A well-sealed tent is a spider-free tent.
Along with keeping your tent sealed at all times, below are the only seven tips you’ll need to effectively keep those pesky spiders out of your tent for good!
1) Double-Check Your Camping Gear
First, inspect your tent and other camping gear (sleeping bag, backpack, etc.) for spiders after bringing them out of storage and between camping trips.
This is especially important if they’ve been stored in the attic, garage, or basement over the winter months when spiders seek shelter. This will lower the chances of bringing any spiders along with you.
2) Choose the Right Campsite
Next, we need to set up camp in a location that doesn’t attract spiders and other bugs.
In other words, avoid pitching your camping tent near:
- Stagnant water
- Dense shrubs
- Underneath trees
- Near artificial light sources like light poles
You want to set up camp in a spot that spiders won’t find attractive. The fewer spiders you have around your campsite, the less chance of them entering your tent!
3) Keep Other Bugs Away
The idea is simple, yet one of the most effective ways to keep spiders not only out of your tent but away from your campsite…
Keep the bugs and insects that spiders eat away.
If there are many bugs around your campsite (mosquitoes, ants, etc.), then spiders, by their very nature, will be drawn towards your area. This will increase the chances of them making your tent their home.
While there are many different ways to keep bugs away from your tent, the big three are choosing a suitable campsite (which we covered above), keeping your camp clean and free of food and crumbs, and using natural light sources like a campfire.
Related: How to Keep Bugs Out of a Tent
4) Utilize Smells to Keep Spiders Away
While there are not many scientific studies proving that certain scents repel or kill spiders, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence.
Some of the more common scented items you can use to repel spiders include:
- peppermint oil
- lemon oil
- eucalyptus oil
- lavender oil
- tea tree oil
- citronella oil
- cedar
- vinegar
- certain herbs
And there are plenty more items people swear by to repel spiders.
Did you know…
Spiders, also known as arachnids, can smell and taste through special sensory organs on their legs!
If using a scented essential oil to repel spiders, place about five drops in a 16-ounce spray bottle with some water and spray generously around your camping tent.
Alternatively, you can spray vinegar or spread cedar chips around your tent to potentially help repel spiders.
5) Use a Spider Repellent
There are many different spider repellent products on the market. Some are all-natural and some chemical-based. Some are sprays, and others include pouches, incense sticks, and more. Some are designed to kill spiders, and others simply repel them.
The type of spider repellent you use is up to you and what’s most convenient for your camping style, if you’re eco-conscious, your budget, and so on.
I recommend Mighty Mint Spider Repellent as it is an all-natural spray that is eco-friendly, safe for humans and pets, and is proven effective.
Mighty Mint Spider Repellent Natural Spray (16oz)
Price:Clicking this link to make a purchase may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you.
If you use a general bug repellent, make sure it repels spiders, as well.
6) Diatomaceous Earth
Speaking of spider repellents, another natural alternative is a little something called Diatomaceous Earth.
Diatomaceous Earth is a fine powder made of fossilized plankton accumulated over millions of years in freshwater lakes. This product can be used in hundreds of different ways – one of which is to repel spiders and insects!
Simply sprinkle some DE around your tent and campsite to effectively keep spiders away. And don’t worry, it’s a food-grade product that is safe for use around your home, garden, pets, and campground!
Harris Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth Powder
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7) Keep the Color Green Out of Your Tent (Seriously)
Spiders, particularly wolf spiders, have dichromatic vision, meaning they only see green and ultraviolet, according to one study. In other words, they are essentially color blind but are sensitive to light within the green wavelength.
In the study, researchers noticed that female spiders were attracted to male spiders that sharply contrasted with their background. So, if you want to keep spiders out of your tent, you might want to steer clear of the color green in and on your tent.