How do I prevent spiders from sharing my home?

Have you tried hedge apples? They are green balls that come from an "osage orange" tree. I had 2 or three in my downstairs for about 8 months...no spiders. You just need to have them sitting in the space - don't need to do anything to make them work, and they're organic! I'll try to attach a photo.

The following measures can be used to control all spiders:

• Routine, thorough house cleaning is the best way to eliminate spiders and discourage their return. A vacuum cleaner or broom effectively removes spiders, webs, and egg sacs.
• Spiders prefer quiet, undisturbed areas such as closets, garages, basements, and attics. Reducing clutter in these areas makes them less attractive to spiders.
• Large numbers of spiders often congregate outdoors around the perimeter of structures. Migration indoors can be reduced by moving firewood, building materials, and debris away from the foundation. Shrubs, vines and tree limbs should be clipped back from the side of the building.
• Install tight-fitting window screens and door sweeps to exclude spiders and other insects. Inspect and clean behind outdoor window shutters.
• Consider installing yellow or sodium vapor light bulbs at outside entrances. These lights are less attractive than incandescent bulbs to night-flying insects which, in turn, attract spiders.
• To further reduce spider entry from outside, insecticides can be applied as a "barrier treatment" around the base of the foundation. Pay particular attention to door thresholds, garage and crawl space entrances, including foundation vents. Carbaryl, bendiocarb, chlorpyrifos, or any of the synthetic pyrethroids (e.g., cypermethrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin) are effective, but may need to be reapplied periodically throughout the summer. Wettable powder or microencapsulated ("slow-release") formulations are most effective.

You can make a mixture of water and white vinegar. Spray all cracks, corners, and crevices. They do not like vinegar. I would do this daily and then cut down to weekly.

It appears that the tree/shrub can be found in the US and southern Canada. They are cultivated trees...so you might be able to buy one.

Cool! I was surprised how well it worked. Kept them out of my dusty garage for almost a year.