How to Get Rid of Spiders in Your Home

Are you dealing with unwanted visitors in your home? We’re talking about the kind that has eight legs, loves to hang out in your pantry, and never knows when it’s time to leave. 

That’s right:  We mean a spider infestation!

If you’ve noticed the creepy crawlies inside of your house, then it’s important to eliminate them, stat. While they might not be as large or threatening as other pests and rodents, they’re still not welcome on your property.

Today, we’re sharing how to get rid of spiders and keep them gone for good. 

Why Should You Get Rid of Spiders?

Especially if you’re an avid gardener, then you might think of spiders as beneficial insects. In many ways, they are. 

Outdoors in their natural habitats, spiders help control the natural insect population. They’re particularly great at trapping and killing bugs that tend to spread diseases, such as mosquitoes, flies, and roaches. They’ll even consume other spiders!

However, while they might play an important role among your flower beds and rows of vegetables, they’re not so helpful indoors. 

This is largely due to their breeding patterns and lifecycles. One spider egg sac can hold thousands of tiny baby spider eggs. If just one makes its way inside and hatches, the infestation could be substantial.

Thankfully, you don’t usually have to worry about spiders causing any major type of property damage. While they might be icky to look at, they won’t tear up your furniture or invade your upholstery. Though some may bite when threatened, it isn’t common. 

In fact, out of all the spider species in the world, there are only two that can cause a great deal of danger to humans: black widows and brown recluses. Yet, that doesn’t mean that you should happily welcome them into your home. 

Let’s look at five steps to take as soon as you notice a spider population where it doesn’t belong. 

1. Vacuum Your Home

Before you start getting rid of spiders, take the time to thoroughly vacuum your home from top to bottom. Usually, spiders will avoid homes that are meticulously clean, as they prefer to hide out in unswept corners and dark crevices. 

As you clean these spots (even the hard-to-reach ones), pay attention to what you see. Be sure to suction up any egg sacs, cobwebs, or spides that you encounter. When you’re done, dispose of the vacuum bag or deep-clean the canister. 

Next, get rid of any piles that you have hanging around. From stacks of laundry to old magazines and newspapers, those areas could serve as makeshift bunkers for the spiders in your home. 

2. Clean Your Exterior

Those spiders didn’t enter your home unannounced. Most of the time, they make themselves at home right outside the perimeter of your house before making their way indoors. 

To remain hidden, they’ll camp out in piles of leaves, firewood, or other natural debris. Then, when the time is right, they’ll make the big exodus to your warm, safe home. 

If you suspect that you have a spider infestation, don’t forget to clean the outside of your home, too. You might be going crazy vacuuming and dusting indoors, while a new generation of pests is marching in on someone’s shoe. 

Another way to make your home less inviting to spiders? Resist the urge to keep your exterior lights on all the time. Landscape lighting is gorgeous, especially at night, but it also beckons to outdoor insects and invites them to come closer. 

3. Put Your Food Away

While you’re picking up clutter in and around your home, remember to put up any food that might attract spiders. 

Even chip clips aren’t usually enough to completely seal the bags in your pantry. Transfer loose, dry food (such as pasta, chips, and cereal) into tightly-sealed containers instead.

This takes away the spiders’ food source. Without easy access to plenty of nibbles, there’s no way for them to survive. 

4. Try Natural Repellants

If you’d rather take matters into your own hands before calling a professional pest control company, then there are a few at-home solutions you can mix up, using household ingredients you may already have on hand. 

Some solutions call for you to add a few drops of spider-repelling essential oils, such as lavender, peppermint, or citrus, to a few cups of water. Others use a combination of dish soap or vinegar. 

Once you’ve researched the best blends, you can apply a few spritzes anywhere that a spider might be able to enter your home. While the solution might work in the short term, its effectiveness will fade with time. 

It’s best to seal those entrances, instead. Look for any cracks or crevices that might allow an insect to enter your home, paying close attention to doors and window screens. Caulk up the gaps to make your home more lock-tight and secure. 

5. Call a Professional Pest Control Company

Any time you have a pest problem on your hands, it’s best to call a pest control company to take care of it. 

These experts will know exactly where to look for spiders, what an infestation looks like, and how to proceed. They’ll identify what kind of spiders you’re dealing with, and what the most effective treatment method will be. 

Then, they’ll treat the inside and outside of your home to prevent another re-infestation. 

We’ll Help You Get Rid of Spiders

Though they aren’t the most menacing insects to contend with, no one wants to live alongside a growing family of spiders. 

When you know how to react in the event of an infestation, you can prevent the population from growing even larger. You can also make sure the spiders stay gone forever. 

Our experienced pest control team can help you get rid of spiders for good. Contact us today to schedule a free inspection.