Wave goodbye to these pesky arachnids
Spiders, with their intricate webs and insect-heavy diet, are a vital part of our ecosystem. However, when they venture inside your home and set up camp behind your favorite reading chair, they can trigger a range of emotions from mild discomfort to full-blown arachnophobia. If you're sharing your living space with these eight-legged creatures and are determined to regain your spider-free sanctuary, learn how to get rid of spiders and prevent their arrival.
There are a few primary motivations that may attract spiders to your living space, and recognizing them can help you develop effective prevention strategies.
One of the most common reasons spiders enter homes is for prey. Flies, mosquitoes, and other small creatures can provide an easy meal for spiders, so reducing insect populations will limit your home’s appeal to arachnids.
Spiders may enter homes during seasonal transitions. For example, as temperatures drop in the fall, these creatures may seek shelter indoors to escape unfavorable outdoor conditions. Certain spider species may enter homes to mate or lay eggs, which can be especially prevalent during late summer and early fall.
Cracks and openings in a home's exterior can make it easy for spiders to enter. Plants, trees, or other structures touching a home may also serve as a bridge for spiders, facilitating their entry. Quiet, undisturbed spaces like a cluttered or neglected attic are also ideal habitats for spiders.
Homes located near natural surroundings such as wooded areas, fields, or bodies of water may be more likely to attract spiders, as these creatures may wander indoors more easily. If a home has previously experienced a spider infestation, it's possible that eggs or spiderlings may remain hidden and hatch later, leading to recurring issues.
If a home has outdoor lighting near windows, this can draw spiders indoors. The light may attract insects, which in turn attracts spiders looking for a meal.
The most obvious sign of a spider problem is frequent sightings of the creatures, but two other signs could indicate you're on your way to an infestation. Spider webs, even if a spider isn't present, could signal an issue. Spiders weave webs to capture prey, so if you're spotting an array of webs at your house, this may be a sign they are inhabiting the area. Webs often appear in crevices such as window frames and are usually found in more secluded areas of the home, like an attic or basement.
You may also find egg sacs near the webs, which are small and have a silk-like quality. Finding even just a few sacs is cause for concern, but if you're seeing multiple, it's a sign of a rapidly growing spider population. If this occurs, it's best to address the issue quickly to avoid letting the spiders multiply.
To eliminate spiders from your abode, a blend of preventative tactics, natural solutions, and, in extreme cases, chemical interventions can be used.
The best first step to eliminating spiders is identifying the species you're dealing with. Some types of spiders aren't harmful, so you don't need to worry about getting close to them. However, other types of spiders can have a poisonous bite: If your home has these species, your safest option is to hire pest control to handle it. Pest control cost ranges between $300 and $500 for a one-time service.
Before you go killing spiders, you may want to research the type of spider present. Some harmless spider species could be effective pest control for other insects. If the sight of a common house spider doesn’t give you the heebie-jeebies, consider keeping a few around to take care of flies, moths, roaches, and more.
Spiders love clutter and will seek out potential hiding spots to make their home. Try to reduce the clutter throughout your house, starting with areas where you've spotted spiders. Vacuum and dust all areas of your home regularly to remove any existing webs and egg sacs. If you spot an egg sac, remove it immediately because if left unattended, it can quickly result in an infestation, which is more challenging—and expensive—to battle.
There are several natural remedies you can try that might help deter spiders, but they’re not proven to solve your problem. Dilute essential oils such as peppermint, tea tree, and lavender with water and spray it around entry points. Or mix equal parts of water and white vinegar to spray instead. Some homeowners have success with placing chestnuts in the corners of rooms to repel spiders.
You can use sticky traps or glue boards to catch spiders. Place these strategically along the walls, corners, and near other known entry points. If you have children or pets, opt for non-toxic, humane spider traps to keep everyone safe.
If you have a severe spider infestation, consider using spider-specific insecticides as a last resort. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe use. While you can do this on your own, especially if you have some prior experience, it's not a bad idea to contact a professional pest control service.
To keep spiders out of your home, utilize these proactive measures. While you may still notice spiders creeping through here and there, their presence will be greatly reduced if you prioritize these strategies.
Continue with regularly cleaning and vacuuming your home to remove spiders, their webs, and potential food sources.
Inspect your home for gaps, cracks, and holes where spiders can enter. Seal these entry points with caulk or weather stripping to prevent spiders from getting inside.
Install or repair window and door screens to eliminate an entry point.
Trim any vegetation that may be touching or hanging over your home. Bushes and trees are commonly used as bridges by spiders.
Use lower-intensity outdoor lighting as it can effectively reduce the number of flying insects that draw spiders towards your house.
Continue monitoring your home to quickly assess your preventative efforts and increase them, if necessary.
Invest in periodic pest control visits, which average between $40 and $70 for monthly visits or $100 and $300 for quarterly visits.
If you're facing a minor spider issue with a harmless species, ridding your home of these pests is something even new homeowners can manage on their own—or just leave them be. However, if you see more than three spiders daily and find egg sacs, you're likely facing an infestation. If you try DIY solutions but find they aren't effective, hiring a local spider exterminator is the most effective solution. Skip right to hiring pest control if you spot a dangerous species to keep you and your family safe.
The easiest method to get rid of spiders is using a spray. Mixing water with either vinegar or essential oils is a simple method that can be used over and over again. It may require spraying periodically to help get rid of and prevent spiders. You can choose to keep a spray bottle of the solution handy to use as needed.
While some anecdotal evidence suggests that dryer sheets may discourage spiders, their effectiveness is uncertain and lacks scientific evidence. If you choose to experiment with dryer sheets, place them in areas where spider activity has been observed or close to entry points. However, due to the gradual loss of fragrance, replacing the dryer sheets regularly is advised. As this method isn't always effective, use dryer sheets in conjunction with other methods.
Spiders are not typically attracted to bedding as a primary source of food or shelter, but they sometimes inadvertently end up there. Spiders can hitch a ride on your clothing, belongings, or through open windows and doors. The underside of a bed, especially if it's near a wall or corner, can provide such a sheltered spot where they can hide and build webs. Dust and clutter under your bed can create ideal hiding places as well. If your room has other insects like flies or mosquitoes, spiders may be drawn to the area in search of prey.
