One way to prevent spiders is to mix peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle, and spray it around your home, in corners where spiders like to gather, and under furniture. Spiders hate the smell of peppermint, so this scent will drive them away. You could also make a natural spider repellent spray using 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of oil, one cup of pepper, and one teaspoon of liquid dish soap. You can use this inside your home, but it’s also beneficial to spray it outside too, along window sills and doors to repel spiders. Finally, the best way to avoid having spiders come in your house is to clean really well, and avoid letting clutter build up.

Yes, spiders do bite, however, it’s not common. Spiders would rather avoid you, so spider bites are rare. Most spiders aren’t built to bite or attack large mammals, and with the exception of large, poisonous spiders like the black widow, most spider’s venom isn’t strong enough to do much damage to human tissues.

Spiders build themselves a sticky web that helps them catch prey, which is usually small insects like flies and mosquitoes. Spiders inject venom into their prey to deteriorate it from the inside out, essentially “liquifying” the bug, which allows the spider to consume it.