Why Spiders Hate The Color Blue (Repelling Guide)

Small Black Fuzzy Spider on Wooden Deck

Not everyone considers a spider a welcome surprise in their household. Spiders are often met with shock and disdain, and you may wonder how to repel and get rid of unwelcome spiders naturally which may have you thinking, “what color do spiders hate?”

According to research, spiders hate the color light blue. Not only does this color repel spiders, but it repels wasps, too. Consider painting your home or porch light blue if you live in an area with a high rate of spiders, as this may aid in keeping them from building nests on your home or porch.

Now, there are a few reasons why spiders like and dislike some colors which we’ll break down below! Luckily for us, there are ways to repel spiders with no need for pesticides. Let’s get to it!

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So, what colors do spiders hate?

For a long time, researchers believed spiders could not see color. However, researchers from the University of Cincinnati found spiders care about color. According to the research, wolf spiders react differently to different colors. 

Research reveals dichromatic vision allows wolf spiders to recognize and react to ultraviolet and green lights. Dichromatic vision means that they are essentially color blind but are sensitive to lights of green wavelengths.

Colors spiders love

The same paper suggests the color green draws spiders in. This is most likely because they are the most sensitive to this wavelength; it could also resemble the colors of nature, which the spiders are more drawn to.

If you are trying to keep away spiders, consider cutting down on the number of green objects in your home or porch area, as this could attract unwanted visitors.

Consider swapping the lavish greens for brighter pastels and light blue, as these should help keep away spiders.

What colors do bugs see?

Different bugs see different colors. However, most bugs cannot see the color red. If you are looking to repel bugs (not just spiders), maybe consider purchasing a red-light light bulb meant to attract bugs. The Bug Bulb 2 in 1 Camping Lantern by Boundery is a fantastic place to start! 

If you’re mainly looking to repel mosquitoes, consider having light pastels around, as they have been shown to keep those pests. They’re highly attracted to dark colors, so be sure to keep things looking light.

Spiders are no different in their uniqueness with what types of colors they see. However, they do not have the same range as humans–they see ultraviolet light and green light. However, this depends on the type of spider.

How Spiders See In General

Evarcha arcuata Jumping Spider Macro Shot in nature

Over 40,000 species of spiders are found on the planet, which leads to a great variety in eye numbers and shapes. While different species of spiders can have from zero to eight eyes, the mechanics behind those with eyes are usually the same. In fact, we use eye numbers and arrangements for classification purposes.

Spider’s eyes are split into two different types: Primary and secondary. The principal pair of eyes found at the front are called the primary eyes, also known as the Ocelli, with the smaller eyes on the sides being the secondary eyes.

Ocelli can detect where the light is and can display images. Secondary eyes allow for motion detection and measuring darkness. Another anatomical difference between the two is the secondary eyes lack the separate facets typically associated with compound eyes.

Despite having multiple eyes, the overwhelming majority of spiders with four pairs of eyes still have poor eyesight. Thankfully, spiders have hair-like touch sensors called setae, which they use to scan their surrounding environment.

However, some species of spiders, such as jumping spiders, wolf spiders, and flower spiders, have excellent eyesight. So, not all of them cannot see!

Almost every species can see color, each with its limitations. Jumping spiders, for example, have eyes that can detect green, red, orange, and yellow. They use filters inside their eye’s retinas, which grant true trichromatic vision, just like humans.

Some species have also adapted to see ultraviolet light, making them unique because of their similarities to human eyesight.

Most spiders cannot see in the dark

Much like humans, most species of spiders cannot see in the dark. Not only this, but most spiders have poor eyesight. They rely on touch, vibration, and taste to sense prey or predators in their vicinity. They can also be sensitive to changes in brightness and polarized lighting as well.

Of course, this does not apply to all spiders. Some spider species have extremely good eyesight, such as jumping spiders, flower spiders, and wolf spiders. They use their vision to find prey and notice predators before they attack.

How to use the color blue to keep spiders away

Now that you know spiders hate the color blue, you can use that to your advantage. Try painting your porch ceiling where spiders tend to flock light blue!

You can also consider painting your house blue! If you are not ready to commit to a blue house, do not forget that you can also choose your decorations to be light pastel colors or light blue.

Place blue items near areas where spiders may frequent, such as near your home’s foundation and windows. Another great idea is to paint your shutters or window trim light blue!

How to repel spiders from your home Naturally

There are natural ways to repel spiders in your home! While these fixes may not work 100% of the time, they are still worth a try! To start, there are many scents spiders dislike, which you can use to deter them. I highly recommend taking a look at those scents!

Researchers at Simon Fraser University tested three different natural items that online sources claim to act as spider repellents. The three substances included chestnuts, lemon oil, and peppermint oil.

Lemon oil is reported to be the most effective, but the research shows peppermint oil is the most effective out of the three, with chestnuts in second place.

Ironically, the most popular search result (with over one million hits on Google at the time) did not work at all! The study ruled that lemon oil as a natural repellent is a myth.

According to research published by Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Lima oil was the most effective against a particular species of spider, called Tetranychus urticae. Lima oil prevented the movement of mites between plants, so it could act as a repellant.

You could also purchase an all-natural, pre-made spray mixture to spray in the areas that are most commonly infected with spiders. We recommend Mighty Mint’s Insect and Pest Control (not used in the studies), which is made of all plant-based ingredients and peppermint oil.

How to prevent spiders from entering your home

The spider weaves its own net against the window of a residential building

The first step in stopping a spider infestation is by practicing active prevention to keep spiders out. Prevention includes a few things, such as taking awareness of the environment of your home and other steps.

You can view or full guide on the things to do if you find spiders in your home here!

Assess your local environment and ecosystem.

The first step is to assess your local environment and see what types of spiders are found. This will help you determine specific steps you can take to keep them away.

What repels one spider may not repel another, so it is essential to be aware of the species native to your area!

Be sure to keep things clean!

Next, keep things cleaned and organized. Be sure to vacuum and dust, making sure the area is as clean as possible. Doing this reduces the likelihood of seeing spiders in your home or garage.

Clean up outside, too!

Outside, be sure to pick up yard waste and clean your gutters, as these are prime areas for spiders to turn into their homes. If you ever see spider webs or egg sacks, remove them immediately to keep them from hatching.

You can take a look at our guide for the most common places where spiders live in your home if you’d like to see where they go once inside!

Fill in holes and cracks that lead to the outside.

You should ensure all cracks and holes in your home (indoors, windows, etc.) are filled with caulk to prevent any unwanted critters from entering.

This contains not just spiders from entering your home but other pests such as ants or wasps from getting in and making your house their home.

Not only this, but you should also ensure all window screens are intact and together, as this also prevents spiders and other bugs from getting in through a potential opening.

Another tip is to ensure all food is sealed and put away in airtight containers. This leaves spiders and other pests without a food source, deterring them from your pantries. Vegetation should also be controlled, as leaves provide shelter for spiders.

All outside vegetation should be at least eight feet of the perimeter of your home.

Why are there so many spiders in my house?

One of the worst things is stepping out of the shower to see that a spider has made its way into your bathroom. This could be an upsetting experience, as few people are thrilled with the thought of spiders hanging around.

If you wonder why you have so many spiders in your home, there could be a few reasons for it. However, to keep spiders out, you need to take preventative measures.

Assess your home and try to find any cracks in windows, window screens, doors, closets, or areas where spiders gather.

Once the spider site of entry has been established, try replacing the window screen or filling the crack in with caulk. By doing this, you will be able to find solutions!

Should I leave spiders in my house alone?

There are a few harmless household spiders, such as:

  • Wolf spiders
  • Jumping spiders
  • Cobweb spiders
  • Parson spiders
  • Grass spiders

There are also pros to keeping these spiders around, as they pay their rent by eating other pests. Not only this, but spiders can eat other spiders, keeping the population in check in a sort.

Honestly – I truly prefer this method as it really keeps other insects down, especailly when the spiders are just living in your walls.

If you want an easy way to learn about spiders, check out the illustrated book Common Spiders of North America (2019) by Richard A. Bradley and Steve Buchanan. This book teaches you about spiders and describes dozens of spider species common to North America. It can be helpful when identifying spiders found in your home.

So, in theory, you can leave them alone as long as you can verify that they are not harmful to humans. You should never touch a spider unless you know the species, as they can bite if they feel threatened.

However, if you have spiders in your home, assess how they got in and then consider your next steps. In the meantime, while you are identifying where they came from, consider spraying Mighty Mint’s Insect and Pest Control in areas affected by spiders to keep them away.

Why Do People Think Spiders Are Bad?

Photo Picture of a Spider and his Web

Spiders are not bad; they are valuable parts of the ecosystem. However, some species of spiders can be harmful to humans. The answer to this question is that it simply depends on the type of spider you are talking about, as some species can be ‘bad’!

However, the harmless spiders you may find in your home are most likely to mind their own business unless you bother them. They are not going to bother you unless they’re stimulated to do so or if there is a potential prey in the area that it senses.

As long as you can stomach having a little eight-legged friend hanging around, then you can just leave them there. Of course, this is all to your comfort level, and you do not have to keep spiders hanging around.

That’s A Wrap!

In conclusion, spiders are (generally) harmless creatures that eat pests in your home. They strongly dislike the color light blue. However, spiders are more attracted to the color green, so keep this in mind when painting your patio or setting out decorations.

Spiders are not bad per se, but they have the potential to be harmful, so you should learn and familiarize what spiders are located in your area and ecosystem. If you find harmless spider species in your house, they can stay there but should be left alone.

One should not touch a spider unless it is to remove it. Of course, if you have harmful spiders in your home, be sure to contact a professional ASAP.

There are also natural ways to repel spiders, including the usage of pre-made insect repellents and straight peppermint oil or spider traps.

Spiders may find their way into your home through cracks or open windows, so be sure to assess the area when treating them with repellent to see if you can find the root of the problem.

You can use this information to your advantage by tweaking your home’s aesthetics to keep spiders out. Overall, spiders hate the color light blue. Keep in mind they love the color green, so if you are in an area with a high presence of spiders, steer clear of any green furniture.

Spiders are good for the environment, and if you can stomach them and they are not harmful, they can be left alone to eat pests. Remember, most spiders are OK to leave alone in your home.

So next time you see one, consider leaving it alone and welcome your new roommate!

References

Cerit, L., Duygu, H., Gülsen, K., Kemal, H., & Ozcem, B. (2017). Spider-like coronary anatomy; the true spider! Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia.

Da Camara, C. A., Akhtar, Y., Isman, M. B., Seffrin, R. C., & Born, F. S. (2015). Repellent activity of essential oils from two species of citrus against Tetranychus urticae in the laboratory and greenhouse. Crop Protection, 74, 110-115.

Fischer, A., Ayasse, M., & Andrade, M. C. (2017). Natural compounds as spider repellents: Fact or myth? Journal of Economic Entomology, 111(1), 314-318.

Stoffer, Brent & Uetz, George. (2017). The effects of experience with different courtship modalities on unimodal and multimodal preferences in a wolf spider. Animal Behaviour. 123. 187-196. 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.10.033.

How to pest proof your home in under a day e-book by Zack DeAngelis

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