HELP!! I'm a prisoner in my own home. Held hostage by spiders outside

Louise
by Louise
my front door! This time of year those huge, thick spiders who build huge webs scare the bejesus out of me. I know it makes no sense, but I can't help it. At least, I now let ones that build webs in areas where I don't go live in peace. Previously, I'd spray them until they and their webs turned solid white. :-(
But tonight a neighbor girl rang my doorbell and when I went outside, there were THREE of these monsters out front. One was maybe 6 ft in front of the door spread out among some shrubs and two more were busy up above me outside the upper level of the house. I do NOT want them here.
Someone told me they got a spray to keep spiders away but I don't remember who told me. IS there such a product that works? I really don't want to kill them, but do NOT NOT NOT want them around my door.
I also have two in the back, but they were polite enough to build their webs several feet from the door so I can safely let my dog outside. BUT I do NOT go out with her at night during this season. Thankfully, the yard is fenced so she runs out and comes back in pretty quickly while I wait inside by the CLOSED door to open it quickly and let her back inside.
I can't even post a photo with the resident of this home on it. I can't stand to SEE them! :-)
  6 answers
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on Aug 12, 2013
    @Louise Hi! I hope one of the pest control Pro's chime in and give you some help soon! But I must say your writing style is FUN!!! I hope to see more of your posts!! xox
  • Calien Laure Calien Laure on Aug 14, 2013
    @Louise I find they hate peppermint oil, believe it or not and one of the simplest fixes is to use EcoSmart. I LOVE the EcoSmart products. You can find them at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. They have many styles, from pellets to sprays and concentrates. They are non-toxic so are safe for people and pets. You will notice a spicy scent after applying, but the bugs and spiders will stay away. I usually apply it around my windows, doors and front porch. Hope it helps!
  • Louise Louise on Aug 14, 2013
    This label says insect killer. I don't really want to KILL the spiders, just keep them away from my doors. So, if I spray it around will it do that or will it kill them if they come around?
  • Calien Laure Calien Laure on Aug 15, 2013
    I find the smell keeps them away. If you don't spray it directly on them, it shouldn't kill them. Trust me, I have PLENTY of spiders and bugs all over my yard. My neighbor has honey bees and they have been fine. And I have a lot of other critters all around my plants by my front doors - leaf hoppers, praying mantis, crickets, ladybugs, and more. Keeps the ants away, too.
    • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on Aug 21, 2013
      @Calien Laure I hope it doesn't keep the bees, and other 'critters' you mentioned away. They are beneficial to your garden! xox
  • Louise Louise on Aug 30, 2013
    I have another question regarding these writing spiders (or, I think they're also called garden spiders). Every year, I see that they build webs and hang out for a while, then disappear and I never see them again until the next year. I have way more this year than I like dealing with and carry a small tree branch with me when leaving or exiting my house at dusk or later so it will knock down any web I might be ready to walk into since I would surely expire if I found myself in one. TRULY! In fact, I stay home at night unless it's totally necessary to go somewhere. :-( So, my question: WHEN do these monsters quit hanging out? And, not that I'm going to go looking for them, but where do they go during the many months they're not torturing ME?
  • Dianna Thacker Dianna Thacker on Sep 08, 2014
    the easiest and cheapest fix is to use dawn dish soap in a pump up garden sprayer put 1/4 cup soap to 2 gallons of water mix gently and spray the front of the house and all of the bushes around it. buy yourself a cheap tossable broom to knock the webs down. I have found a broom gets more of the web from plants and wall than anything else I have tried. keep your lights off outside at night especially around your doors, it draws moths which in turn draws spiders get some decorative solar lights and place them along the walkways and areas you need lit