Get Rid of Spiders

Having spiders on your property can be beneficial, since they control the population of mosquitoes and other insects, but that's hard to remember when you come face to face with one IN your house. Learn how to immediately get rid of a spider, then take measures to keep them out of your home and in the yard.

Steps

Take Immediate Action

  1. Make a spider stick. Take a stick-shaped object, such as a broom or mop handle, and tie or duct-tape a rag or towel on one end. When you're finished, you should have a padded end that is shaped like a ball.
    • Make sure the rag ball is secured tightly to the stick. You don't want it falling on the ground when it's covered in spiders.
    • If you wish, you can spray the rag with an insecticide; this would kill any live spiders that you pick up. However, if you'd prefer not to use a chemical, you can skip this; the spiders will get wrapped in their own web anyway.
  2. Approach the spiders in question. Look in the corners where your walls meet the ceiling, under old furniture, and anywhere else you have spiders in your house. You'll find most spiders hanging out on their webs.
  3. Remove the spiders and their webs. Use the stick to dispatch spiders and remove their webs. Be thorough, since spiders may have laid eggs in their webs that will hatch sooner or later.
    • Pin spiders against the wall and press down with the stick.
    • Use a spinning motion to wrap the webs around the rag, leaving no shreds hanging.
  4. Throw the rag away. When the job is done, place the rag in a plastic bag, unwrap the tape, and slip it off. Tie the bag and throw it away. Repeat the whole process about every two months, or as often as necessary.

Make Your House Less Hospitable to Spiders

  1. Clear out clutter. Spiders are attracted to dark, quiet places, which is why they're commonly found in basement corners. If you have a lot of clutter in your home, you're creating more comfortable places for spiders to inhabit.
    • Remove old furniture. If you have chairs, couches, and other old, dusty furniture that never gets used, consider letting it air out and taking to a donation center. Little-used furniture makes a good home for spiders.
    • Don't use the space under your bed as a storage area. Forgotten clothes and shoes, stacks of papers, and other items you might have under the bed might be attracting spiders.
    • Throw out recycling promptly. Storing old bottles, cans, and newspapers is a sure way to attract creatures, including spiders, to your home. Recycle these items promptly after using them.
  2. Use proper storage techniques. Spiders tend to crawl into the comfortable spaces provided by boxes, bags and other storage items. Since items are usually stored in rooms and closets that don't get daily use, making sure to store things properly is especially important.
    • Don't store boxes on the floor. Placing them on a shelving unit makes them less accessible to spiders.
    • Don't use cardboard boxes. Using plastic boxes with tight-fitting lids stored on shelves deters spiders from moving in.
  3. Keep your house clean. Spiders prey on insects, and insects are attracted to crumbs, sugar, and other human food items. Keep your kitchen clean and your food sealed in airtight containers to prevent insect infestation from happening.
    • Vacuum your house once a week. Cleaning the carpet sucks away insect eggs and removes tiny bits of food that might attract bugs.
    • Use a cleaner to scrub your windowsills, baseboards, and other areas every few weeks.
  4. Place glue traps in areas where you tend to see spiders. Different spiders are attracted to different sorts of traps, so choose the type that will work for the spiders that live in your area. Spiders will walk across the traps and get stuck, and you can dispose of the traps later.
  5. Consider pesticide. If you have a lot of spiders in your home, spraying a pesticide around entryways might be the right option for you. Pesticides are generally effective, but because they are poisonous, they should not be used if you have children or pets.

Prevent Spiders From Coming Inside

  1. Seal your home. Make sure it's not easy for spiders to wander into your home. Keep the windows and doors closed and take the following measures to keep unwanted creatures out:
    • Use caulk to seal up cracks and holes inside and outside your home.
    • Make sure your windows are screened, and check the screens occasionally to be sure they don't have holes.
    • Screen other points of entry such as vents, the chimney, and gutters.
  2. Trim back foliage around the house. Some species of spiders build their webs in tall grasses and other plants, so if you have a spider problem, you might want to remove landscaping that's close to your house. Cut the grass often, and compost yard clippings in the back of your yard.
  3. Don't stack wood against your home. Many types of spiders like to live in wood piles, so having one stacked against your home is almost guaranteed to draw spiders inside. Store your wood in a shed located away from your home.



Things You'll Need

  • Stick
  • Old rag
  • Duct tape

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Sources and Citations

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