A WD-40 Trick Keeps Outdoor Window Spiders Away
The writer describes ongoing cobwebs on the exterior windows of an older Florida home. After clearing the webs and cleaning the glass, they spray a light coat of WD-40 around the window perimeter and in corners, avoiding the glass, then let it dry. The method is presented as a way to discourage spiders from returning.
The author lives in an older Florida house where exterior window corners attract spiders year-round. After removing webs and washing glass, she applied a thin WD-40 layer along each window's bottom sill, sides, and top, plus small amounts in corners, keeping it off the glass and letting it dry without wiping.
She remained doubtful at first, but saw no new webs after one week and still none a month later. The product's lubricating action is said to make surfaces too slick for web-building, while its smell may also discourage spiders. Because WD-40 is weather-resistant, the coating reportedly lasts up to a year, even after rain.
This tip could influence homeowners and renters seeking low-cost, low-effort ways to manage exterior spiders, especially in humid regions. It may shift some consumers toward DIY repellents and away from professional pest control for minor web issues. However, results vary, and people with chemical sensitivities or concerns about product use on windows, siding, or nearby plants may need to weigh benefits and risks.