How to Get Rid of Spider Eggs With a Vacuum

Most spiders lay their eggs in their web, so that’s likely where you’ll find an egg sac. If you don’t see one on the known web, check other quiet, cluttered corners of your home. Once you find it, inspect the sac to determine what species you’re working with. Most silk egg sacs are white or off-white and round or oval-shaped. They’ll be small—about the size of the spider responsible—and depending on the species, there may be multiple smaller egg sacs or just a big one. If you know through sightings that you’re dealing with a dangerous species, like a black widow or brown recluse, call your local exterminator rather than clean up the egg sac yourself. Luckily, most household spiders are harmless, and very few types will require medical attention for a bite.

Combine a mixture of equal parts household bleach and water in a spray bottle. Spray this solution directly onto the egg sac to kill the spider eggs inside. If the mixture hits a living spider, it will be killed, too, so don't spray the mama if you want her to stick around eating your household pests. 

Remember that this solution can also be toxic to children and pets, so spray it with extreme caution and ensure it’s fully cleaned up once you’ve gotten rid of the spider eggs. 

Using the long tube attachment, point your vacuum directly at the web to suck it up along with the egg sac. You can also dust the area with a duster after vacuuming to really make sure you’ve caught every inch of that web. Vacuuming a spider will easily kill it, but egg sacs may survive thanks to their outer protection, which is why the bleach step is important. 

Immediately take your vacuum outside once you’ve sucked up the spider situation. Empty the contents of your vacuum into a plastic garbage bag and tie it up with an airtight seal before placing it in your outdoor garbage bin. This ensures that even if the egg sac were to hatch despite the bleach, the hatchlings wouldn’t be able to escape. 

As an extra precaution, especially with a venomous spider species, you can freeze the bag in a freezer chest or cooler for a few hours to neutralize the egg sac before throwing it in a garbage bin.