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Do Hot Tubs Attract Spiders? (Not often, but . . .)

Behind our hot pub panels, it’s dark, warm, and humid; all conditions that seemingly might attract bugs. So that made me wonder do hot tubs attract spiders?

Hot tubs do not attract spiders, as spiders prefer to make their webs in trees or vegetation under trees. That enables them to catch more bugs. However, since hot tubs do attract other insects make sure to keep crumbs away from the perimeter.

But the bigger the bug problem you have around your hot tub, the more likely spiders might decide to head that way.

So whatever the reason, if you have a problem with spiders, read on to find out what to do about it.

How do I keep spiders out of my hot tub?

Spiders hate the smell of lemons and other citrus fruits, so rub lemon peel around the edge of the hot tub to deter spiders. Spiders are also repulsed by essential oils such as peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus. So spraying these or burning the oils will also keep them away.

Many people dislike spiders even if they are not afraid of them.

Still, in their defense, spiders are good to have around because they eat the bugs you don’t want, such as mosquitoes, fruit flies, midges, flies of all kinds, in fact, just about anything that gets caught in their elaborate webs.

There are over 3,000 species of arachnids in America, and although many of these are capable of biting, only three are known to be dangerous to humans:

  • Black widow spiders
  • Brown recluse spiders
  • Hobo spiders

Spiders will only bite if they feel threatened, and it is very rare for a bite to lead to sickness.

However, if you are still adamant that you want to keep spiders out of your hot tub, here’s what to do:

And if you really feel mean about spiders, they hate vinegar. The acetic acid burns them and will kill them instantly, so even the smell of this will keep them well away.

Does putting a hot tub on a deck attract spiders?

Putting your hot tub on a deck will not attract spiders to live in the hot tub, but they will like the space underneath as this provides warmth and shelter.

There will also be a plentiful food supply for spiders that hunt and feed off the ground. Being cold-blooded, spiders adapt to their environment and are active all year round, even in the coldest of winters.

All spiders are carnivorous, so they won’t feed off scraps of food that may drop through the decking. This will, however, attract rats and mice and that you DON’T want.

I covered this in a recent article, and I get into all the best tips to make sure rodents don’t move into your hot tub.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Spiders drink water, but they get this from tiny droplets on plant leaves, often from early morning or evening dew. They would not be interested in the water in your hot tub due to both the heat and the chemicals. So if you find one floating in there, it is probably because it slipped in and couldn’t get out.

Spiders are great at climbing walls.

But they struggle with smooth vertical surfaces, which is why you often find them in your bathtub or kitchen sink. Contrary to popular belief, they didn’t climb up through the drainpipe! So scaling up a hot tub or around the acrylic shell is not where you’re likely to find them.

And unlike Spider-man, they cannot shoot their web upwards.

Does putting a hot tub on concrete keep more bugs away?

If you place your hot tub on a concrete base, there is less chance of bugs getting underneath and making a home for themselves. However, if you eat in your hot tub, the crumbs will have nowhere to go other than on the concrete. So make sure to clean it off thoroughly to avoid attracting bugs.

It is always essential to place your hot tub on a firm, solid base, especially if it is an inflatable type.

A hot tub filled with water can weigh as much as 6,000 pounds, bigger ones even more, so concrete is ideal, but it needs to be thick enough – at least four inches – and preferably reinforced with mesh to prevent it from cracking.

If you want to keep the bugs away, look beyond the concrete base.

Many of the bugs you want to deter love damp, rotting wood, so don’t store a log pile anywhere near the hot tub. Also, make sure that any wood paneling and fencing is pressure treated and stained to prevent rot.

Rock gardens are another place where creepy-crawlies love to hang out.

Most of the time, they will stay put, but as soon as they realize that humans are about, they will come and investigate to see if there is any food around for them.

Do spiders lay eggs inside a hot tub?

Most spiders would not lay eggs in the underside of a hot tub. While some species carry their eggs sacks with the mother, others prefer to hide them in secure, dry places, and a hot tub seems perfect. However, due to the pump noise, hot tubs are not a likely choice.

If you want to ensure the spider population around your hot tub is kept to a minimum, deterring them first is the best defense.

Remember what I said above:

Spiders hate the smell of:

  • Lemons and other citrus fruits
  • Peppermint
  • Tea tree oil
  • Eucalyptus

So you could definitely plant any of those nearby, or use essential oils, or look for candles or tiki torch fluid scented with those.

But if it’s too late, just don’t just crush the egg sac!

This could send all the tiny spiderlings scurrying everywhere. The best way to remove the egg sac is by using a vacuum to suck it up and then dispose of it in the trash.

When spiderlings hatch, they never stray too far from the egg sac, relying on their thinly spun silken threads to attach to something concrete as it drifts on the wind.

Not all of them will survive these early days – many will be eaten by predators such as lizards and even other spiders. Those that remain will begin to feed on midges or fruit flies straight away, moving onto bigger prey as they grow.

Should I spray bug spray around the edge of my hot tub?

You can cover the edges of your hot tub with bug spray, but this is not the best way to keep bugs out. And it also may not be pleasant to soak while smelling it.

But the need for a bug spray depends on what you want to keep away.

Spiders don’t like the smell of vinegar, so spraying a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water around the edge of your hot tub is as good as any bug spray on the market.

If you don’t like the smell of vinegar yourself, there are other options available.

Proprietary sprays such as Mighty Mint uses peppermint essential oil – check it out on Amazon by clicking on the link. It will repel spiders and is safe to use around young children and pets.

Here is a list of herbs and essential oils that spiders and many of the insects they feed on dislike:

  • Eucalyptus
  • Citronella
  • Lavender
  • Peppermint
  • Tea Tree
  • Cinnamon
  • Lemon
  • Cedar

Using any of these in spray form or by burning the oils in a lamp or candle will go a long way to keeping the bugs at bay, leaving you to enjoy your spa experience to the fullest.

Final Thoughts

I hope, if nothing else, I have demonstrated that spiders are best left alone to get on with what they are good at – ridding you of a lot of the nasty bugs that bite and ruin your outdoor fun.

They aren’t really interested in you or your lifestyle and will leave you in peace to soak in your hot tub on a lovely sunny day.

However, for those who have a genuine fear of spiders and want to keep them well away, use the same things you would use to deter flies, mosquitoes, and midges. A double whammy!

If you never bought a hot tub before, I recommend reading this recent article on my website before taking the plunge—Twenty-three Essential Things to Know Before Deciding Which Hot Tub to Buy.

And don’t forget to read the other related articles on my website by clicking on the links.


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Jeff Campbell