The Surprising Spider Trick I Wish I’d Known Sooner: Why Vicks VapoRub Might Keep Spiders Away
The Surprising Spider Trick I Wish I’d Known Sooner: Why Vicks VapoRub Might Keep Spiders Away
When you live in an old house—mine dates back to the 1880s and could easily serve as the setting for a creaky haunted-house movie—you learn to accept a few quirks. The floors groan with every step, the windows let in chilly drafts, and every now and then, a spider decides to move into a dark corner uninvited.
But one autumn, the situation got out of hand.
Every morning seemed to bring a new eight-legged visitor. One day it was hanging from a lampshade, the next it was tucked into the corner of a windowsill. I’m not particularly afraid of spiders, but after a week of feeling like I was living inside a Halloween decoration display, I’d had enough.
I tried everything I could think of:
Spraying peppermint, tea tree, and citrus essential oils
Placing chestnuts in corners (a trick my grandmother always recommended)
Vacuuming away every visible web
Sealing cracks and gaps around windows and doors
Despite my efforts, the spiders kept appearing.
Then a friend who also lives in an old, spider-prone home suggested something unexpected: Vicks VapoRub.
“Vicks?” I asked. “The stuff people use when they have a cold?”
“Exactly,” she replied. “Spiders dislike strong scents like menthol and eucalyptus. Give it a try.”
I wasn’t convinced. Vicks has a powerful smell that can fill a room in minutes. Could it really help keep spiders away?
How I Used It
That evening, I applied a small amount of Vicks VapoRub around window frames, doorways, and a few corners where I’d noticed spider activity. I didn’t use much—just a thin layer in strategic spots.
To my surprise, over the next several days, I noticed fewer spiders and almost no new webs appearing in those areas.
Why It Might Work
While there’s limited scientific evidence proving that Vicks is a guaranteed spider repellent, many people believe the strong combination of menthol, eucalyptus oil, and camphor can discourage spiders from lingering in treated areas. Spiders rely heavily on their senses to navigate their surroundings, and strong odors may make certain spots less appealing.
A Few Tips
✔ Apply only a small amount near windows, doors, and cracks.
✔ Reapply every week or two as the scent fades.
✔ Keep your home clean and clutter-free to reduce hiding places.
✔ Seal gaps and openings to prevent spiders from entering in the first place.
Final Thoughts
Will Vicks VapoRub completely eliminate spiders from your home? Probably not. But if you’re looking for a simple, inexpensive trick to help reduce unwanted visitors, it may be worth trying. At the very least, your house will smell fresh and minty—and you might just find yourself sharing one less room with a spider.
