Before learning how to get rid of spiders in your house, let’s start by mentioning that spiders have been around for about 300 million years, and some may have taken over your home as their own.
When more houses pop up, spiders may be forced to crawl inside your home and start spinning webs. But how do you know if they have or not? There are some signs you should look out for that indicate that you have a house infested with spiders. We’ll break them down here.
7 Signs of Spider Infestation
-
Finding Egg Sacs
One thing that people may find with a spider infestation is egg sacs around the house. Instead of laying one egg at a time, they lay hundreds of them. Once they lay them, they wrap them up in a silk ball. If you find one of these in your home, you need to dispose of it immediately. If that egg hatches, you could have a hundred more spiders in your home. Even better, they’ll be baby spiders that will hatch more eggs and completely take over your home.
When you find a spider egg sac, make sure that you contact a pest control company to solve the problem immediately.
-
More Moisture in Your House
One sign that you have the perfect breeding ground for spiders is that your house starts to feel more humid and moist. Or, instead of the whole house feeling like that, there may just be some corners or areas that spiders will enjoy building a home in. If you have a basement, this area of the home is a perfect place for extra moisture which is where the spiders may be hiding.
-
Seeing More Spiders Than Usual
One obvious sign that you have a spider infestation is that you’re seeing more and more spiders. Seeing one or two every now and then is normal as all kinds of bugs can find their way into your home. But if you start to see too many of them, this may be a sign of concern. If they have laid eggs and let the eggs hatch, you will most likely have all of the same types of spiders crawling around your home.
It can be difficult to tell the difference between the two species of spiders. Some of the most poisonous ones are the Brown Recluse and the Black Widow. If you have an infestation of these types, call a professional immediately. These spider’s bites are extremely venomous.
-
Have Unused Cracks and Crevices
In addition to having a humid or damp house, you may also have a lot of cracks and crevices that aren’t being used. These are also places that spiders like to hide. Sometimes they’ll be in the walls, sheds, or even in the attics. That’s why it’s important to clean out these areas and avoid letting things pile up. This is like inviting the spider into your home.
-
Seeing Webs
Just because you don’t see a lot of spiders doesn’t mean that you don’t have a spider infestation. They may be there, just crawling around out of your sight. However, you may start seeing more and more webs in your home. Even if the web doesn’t have a spider in it right now, doesn’t mean that there won’t be a spider there later.
Some spiders can make different types of webs though. You may see more cob-like webs and some that are more intricate in design. If you’re seeing two different types of webs, you may be dealing with different species of spiders.
-
Amount of Insects in Your Home
Spiders like to eat all kinds of insects, like mosquitoes, moths, flies, and other small bugs. They trap them in their webs and then save them for later. If you have a problem with any of these bugs in your home, spiders may have crawled into your home to build a web and start feeding off of them.
Noticing a lot of bugs on a daily basis and then not seeing any at all may be a sign of concern. Unless you called a pest control company to come and get rid of your insects, the spiders may have come in and finished the job.
-
Unexplained Bites
Not all spiders bite or are poisonous, but some of them are. Spiders don’t really eat humans or enjoy them, but they may bite you if they feel threatened. Since they like to build their webs in low-traffic areas, you probably won’t have a lot \of bites from them.
However, if you stick your hand in one of these areas and feel something bite you, chances are it may have been a spider.
How to Get Rid of Spiders in Your House
Now that you know the signs of a spider infestation, you’ll also need to know how to get rid of them. While calling a professional is important if you have an infestation, there are some things you can do to try and reduce the chances that it can happen again.
-
Clean Your House
The most important thing you can do is to clean your house. The less clutter you have in your place, the fewer places a spider will have to build their new home. Try and keep everything clean and get rid of any spider webs when you see them. Make it a habit to clean and vacuum your home often to eliminate dust, debris, and spider webs. Since spiders feed on insects, reducing the insect population can help deter them. Keep your home free of crumbs, food spills, and uncovered trash bins.
-
Seal Cracks and Openings
Close off any cracks, gaps, and openings around doors, windows, and other entry points to keep spiders from coming inside. Use weather stripping and caulk to effectively seal these areas.
-
Use Natural Repellants
Pesticides can help with spiders, but they can also be dangerous to use if you have small children or pets in the house. Certain essential oils, such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil, have strong scents that repel spiders. You can combine a few drops of these oils with water and spray them around entry points and areas where spiders are commonly found.
- White vinegar can be used around entry points, windows, and corners where spiders are likely to enter
- Cedar wood, available as blocks or chips, releases a scent that repels spiders. Place it inside closets, corners, and other areas prone to spider activity. Another option you could use in such places would be lavender sachets.
- Place citrus peels (such as orange, lemon, or lime), garlic or bay leaves in areas where spiders tend to hide, as their strong scent can help repel them
- Mint plants around your home are also an effective natural repellant; their strong smell tends to repel spiders
- Chestnuts and cinnamon around windowsills, doors, and other entry points can deter spiders
- An aesthetic solution against spiders could be a garland of eucalyptus leaves which you can hang wherever needed
-
Make sure the outdoor area is clean and clutter-free
Trim any bushes and plants near your home, as they can create pathways for spiders to enter. Install screens on windows and doors to keep spiders out. Ensure that the screens are intact and free of any tears or gaps.
Lights by doors and windows tend to attract insects, which then draw spiders. To minimize this, opt for outdoor lights with less attractive colors or turn them off when not in use.
-
Regularly Inspect and Clean Storage Areas
Lofts, garages, and other storage spaces can become spider breeding grounds. Regular cleaning and organization will help reduce their hiding spots.
-
Use Spider Catchers
Instead of killing spiders, opt for humane spider catchers or jars to safely capture and release them outdoors.
-
Opt for Professional Pest Control
If the infestation is severe or ongoing, consider hiring a professional pest control service to evaluate the situation and offer effective solutions.
Cover photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
