To get rid of spiders in your house, the most effective steps include sealing entry points, reducing clutter, vacuuming regularly, and managing the insect activity that draws them inside. Most house spiders are harmless and actually help manage other insects, but their presence indoors is understandably undesired. This guide covers practical methods for getting rid of spiders indoors, along with what attracts them and how to keep spiders away.
Which spiders are found indoors
Most household spiders belong to a handful of species that regularly seek out indoor spaces. Understanding which type you’re dealing with will help you decide the best way to respond.
- Common house spiders: Small and brownish, building messy webs in corners, closets, and basements. They’re harmless and rarely bite.
- Cellar spiders: Sometimes called “daddy longlegs”, they prefer damp, dark spaces like garages and basements. Their long, thin legs look alarming, but they pose no real danger.
- Wolf spiders: These indoor spiders are larger, faster, and tend to roam floors rather than build webs. They can look intimidating, but they’re not aggressive, and bites are uncommon.
- Jumping spiders: Small and curious, these spiders are often spotted near windows and in sunny areas. They’re active hunters and non-aggressive toward people.
Dangerous species like brown recluse and black widow spiders are far less common inside typical homes, but their bites can cause serious reactions. Both are more prevalent in the South and Southwest of the US. If you spot either species in your home, contacting a professional pest control service is the safest course of action.
Why spiders enter your home
Spiders come indoors for two primary reasons: food and shelter. When outdoor temperatures drop and insects become scarce, warm homes become attractive hunting grounds. Spiders are predators, not scavengers, so they follow their prey inside rather than intentionally seeking out human living spaces.
Several common conditions make homes more appealing. Gaps and cracks around windows, doors, and the foundation provide easy access. Clutter in basements, garages, and closets creates undisturbed hiding spots. Stacked firewood near exterior walls and overgrown vegetation along the foundation serve as natural pathways inside. Addressing these conditions alongside direct removal methods is what makes spider control more effective over time.
7 ways to get rid of spiders indoors
Whether you’re dealing with occasional sightings or a more persistent spider infestation in the house, these methods can reduce activity and help you with how to keep spiders away from your home.
1. Seal entry points
Cutting off access is one of the most effective long-term approaches to spider control. Walk the perimeter of your home and inspect windows, doors, and the foundation for small gaps, cracks, or holes. Apply caulk to cracks in walls and baseboards, add weatherstripping around door frames, and check window screens for tears or gaps.
Spiders can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, so a thorough inspection pays off. Sealing entry points also limits the insects spiders feed on, reducing the overall appeal of your home as a hunting ground.
2. Reduce clutter
Spiders prefer dark, undisturbed spaces, and clutter gives them exactly what they’re looking for. Basements, attics, closets, and garages are the most common trouble spots. Keep storage organized and off the floor where possible, and use sealed plastic bins instead of open cardboard boxes. Regularly clearing out these areas removes the hiding spots where spiders build webs and deposit egg sacs, making it much harder for them to settle in comfortably.
3. Vacuum and clean regularly
Vacuuming is one of the easiest options for how to get rid of spiders in your house. Work along corners, under furniture, behind appliances, and around window frames where webs tend to accumulate. Removing webs as soon as you spot them means spiders have to keep rebuilding, which discourages them from staying.
During your deep cleans, carefully inspect dark corners and the undersides of furniture for a small, silken, marble-sized spider egg sac; vacuuming these up immediately prevents hundreds of new spiders from hatching inside your living spaces.
Consistent cleaning also reduces the dust and debris that attract other insects, limiting the food supply that draws spiders indoors in the first place.
4. Manage other insects in the home
Spiders are predators, and they go where the food is. A steady supply of flies, gnats, or other small insects inside your home keeps spiders coming back. Store food in sealed containers, wipe down surfaces after meals, fix leaky faucets that create moisture buildup, and take out the trash on a regular schedule.
Reducing the insect population inside your home removes one of the main reasons spiders are attracted indoors and helps deter their activity over time.
5. Try a natural spider repellent
Several household ingredients may help deter spider activity for homeowners looking to get rid of spiders naturally. These methods work best as part of a broader approach rather than as standalone solutions.
- Peppermint oil: Mix 15-20 drops of peppermint essential oil with water in a spray bottle and apply around entry points, corners, and window frames. Spiders are sensitive to strong scents, and peppermint is one of the most widely used natural spider repellents.
- White vinegar: A 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water can be sprayed in similar areas. The acidic scent fades quickly for people but may still discourage spiders from crossing treated surfaces.
- Citrus peels: Rubbing lemon or orange peel along windowsills and baseboards takes advantage of spiders’ natural aversion to citrus. Citrus-based cleaning products may achieve a similar effect.
- Diatomaceous earth: Food-grade diatomaceous earth can be applied along entry points and in areas where spider activity is concentrated. The fine powder damages spider exoskeletons over time. Always use as directed by the manufacturer and reapply after moisture exposure.
Natural remedies may offer limited relief for light activity, but they’re unlikely to fully address an established spider infestation on their own.
6. Apply over-the-counter spider repellent
While over-the-counter sprays, essential oil mists, and chemical spider repellents are popular first-line choices for homeowners, they rarely solve a root spider problem. Spiders do not ingest pesticides through grooming like insects do, and their long legs keep their bodies elevated above treated surfaces, making standard contact spider spray highly ineffective.
Similarly, while placing spider sticky traps or glue boards in dark corners can capture individual wandering pests, these spider traps only act as a passive monitoring tool rather than a comprehensive population control method.
Relying solely on these retail spider control products yields temporary results because they fail to target the hidden breeding grounds or eliminate the secondary insect food source drawing spiders indoors.
7. Call a professional pest control service
For persistent or widespread activity, professional spider control is the most thorough option for getting rid of spiders in the house. Aptive’s trained technicians can identify the species involved, locate hiding places you may have missed, and apply targeted treatments at the source of the problem.
Professional spider control also typically includes an exterior perimeter treatment that addresses the insects spiders depend on, making re-entry harder over time. If you’re dealing with potentially dangerous species like brown recluse or black widow spiders, always contact a professional rather than attempting removal yourself. Contact Aptive for a free quote and get started today.
Getting rid of house spiders FAQs
Q: What’s the fastest way to get rid of spiders indoors?
Vacuuming spiders and webs directly is the quickest removal method. For better results over time, combine physical removal with sealing entry points and reducing the prey insects that draw spiders inside in the first place. Keeping a regular cleaning schedule, even when you are not seeing spiders, helps disrupt the cycle before they have a chance to re-establish.
Q: What smell do spiders hate?
Peppermint oil is the most commonly cited scent for deterring spiders. Eucalyptus, tea tree, and vinegar are also popular options. Scientific evidence for all of these is limited, and results tend to be short-lived. These scents work best as a short-term supplement alongside sealing entry points, reducing clutter, and addressing the insects that attract spiders indoors to begin with.
Q: How do I get rid of spiders permanently?
There is no single permanent fix, but consistent, layered management comes closest. Homeowners who see the fewest spiders over the long term combine sealed entry points, reduced insect prey, and professional pest control services that provide dependable coverage. A treatment plan tailored to your property helps address the root causes of spider activity, not just the spiders currently visible.
Q: What attracts spiders to my home?
Spiders are primarily attracted to where there are other insects. Spiders follow their food supply indoors, so homes with flies, ants, or other small insects tend to see more spider activity. Clutter, moisture, undisturbed storage areas, and bright outdoor lighting that pulls insects in at night all make your home more inviting to spiders looking for shelter and a steady meal.
Q: Are spider bites dangerous?
Most spider bites in North America cause only mild, temporary irritation. Bites from a black widow or brown recluse may cause more significant symptoms, including muscle pain, cramping, or localized tissue damage. If you are bitten and unsure of the species, try to note the spider’s appearance and monitor your symptoms closely. Seek medical attention promptly if your reaction is severe or getting worse.
The content in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition. Do not delay seeking emergency care for severe allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or throat. Individual reactions to spider bites may vary, and no guarantees are made regarding the effectiveness of any treatment described. Home remedies mentioned are not medically verified and may cause adverse reactions. Aptive Environmental LLC provides pest control services only and does not offer medical advice. The company is not liable for any damages or injuries resulting from the use of this information.
