Spiders are perhaps the most common household pest. While most spiders are harmless, they can definitely be a little creepy. Here are 10 ways to get rid of spiders in your home to make sure that your family stays comfortable and safe.
Are spiders dangerous?
Before we get into how to get rid of spiders, let’s take a look at spiders that do have a dangerous bite. The vast majority of household spiders are entirely harmless, but the two main exceptions to that are the black widow and brown recluse.
You can identify a black widow by its shiny black body and red hourglass marking on the belly. They like to live in dark, undisturbed areas, so keep an eye out when cleaning out untouched areas like an attic or woodpile. While they are generally not very aggressive, their bites can cause fever and nausea.
The brown recluse is not often found indoors, but like the black widow it lives in spaces like attics, crawlspaces, and closets. They can be identified by the violin markings on its back. Their bites are rare, but they do cause sores and burning.
Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Spiders
This is a good option for those with a minor spider problem or those looking to avoid chemical sprays. Natural solutions can also be a great way to repel spiders without killing them.
Vinegar and Water
A vinegar and water mixture is a common method for controlling many pests, including spiders. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and vinegar. Then spray the mixture anywhere you thing spiders may be. Remember to get all the odd corners, nooks and crannies! Spiders will be repelled by the smell, so you can get rid of spiders without killing them.
Vacuum and Clean Thoroughly
Spiders often hide away in the little spots we don’t clean as often. One effective way to handle a small spider problem is simply to vacuum them up. Dust regularly to get rid of any spider webs, and clean up any cluttered areas where they may be hiding.
Salt Water Spray
Saline water is poisonous for spiders, making it a good natural solution for killing existing spiders that you need to exterminate. Mix up a very concentrated solution of salt water and spray it where the spiders are.
Prevent Spiders in the Home
The next step is to prevent spiders in the home. Try to identify ways that spiders could be making their way into the home. Likely culprits are plants and trees near the house. Spiders like to hide in these and then may find their way inside.
Try turning off lights or switching out bulbs so that you don’t attract spiders at night. Lights attract all sorts of insects that spiders like to prey upon, so reducing unnecessary light may help keep spiders outside.
Make sure to eliminate any spots where spiders would like to live in your house. Stacks of boxes, an overflowing attic, or a dark crawl space all make the perfect home for spiders. Even if the main part of the house is clean, spiders will migrate from these unused spaces into living areas.
Lastly, make sure to keep all spaces extra clean. Don’t leave any food out, throw garbage out frequently, and try to be sure to sweep up all crumbs. Dust away any spider webs and vacuum thoroughly. The goal is to make the home inhospitable to spiders so that they can’t move back in!
How to Get Rid of Spiders with Traps
Sticky traps are a great option for eliminating existing spiders and making sure that they don’t breed and multiply. Traps are also a good choice because they aren’t toxic, so they can be safer to use around children and pets.
You can buy pre-made glue traps to set out or make your own. To make your own trap try making a sticky paste out of corn syrup and water to spread across a piece of cardboard. This is an inexpensive, non-toxic option to deal with existing spiders.
Keep in mind though that it won’t be as effective on small spider populations. The fewer the spiders, the less likely they will be to cross over your trap. Traps like these are most effective when you have a larger infestation.
How to Get Rid of Spiders with Insecticides
While simple cleaning and repellent may do the trick if you only have a few spiders, sometimes insecticides are necessary to manage a larger infestation. It is especially important to use insecticides if you have a brown recluse or black widow problem. These species are dangerous, and insecticides are the most effective solution.
There are many over the counter sprays that you can find for spiders. Spray these along all entry points to the home (windows and doors), baseboards, in the corners and under furniture. Try to get any area where you’ve seen spiders. Don’t forget about dark cabinets, pipes, and crawlspaces.
Insecticides can also be found in powder form. Dusts can be more effective for larger spider problems. Use a duster tool to make sure you get the best coverage in large spaces like attics and garages.
Of course there is a risk with insecticides. Make sure that everyone in the home knows that they have been used and where. Keep pets and children away from these areas, especially immediately after spraying.
If you have a spider infestation, don’t hesitate to contact us at All Green Pest Control and Lawn Care. We can ensure that your pest problems are controlled effectively and safely!