How to Rid Your Home of Spiders

Most spiders are beneficial, keeping many insect pests under control. Instead of killing spiders, take them outside and release them into your garden. Here's how to keep them outdoors.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Work Boots
• Brooms
• Cannister Vacuum Cleaners
• Garden Hoses And Attachments
• Garden Rakes
• Garden Shears
• General Cleaning Supplies
• Hedge Trimmers
• Insecticides (dust Or Spray)
• Pesticides
• Sodium-vapor Or Yellow Lightbulbs
• Thick Gardening Gloves
• Window Screens
• Caulk And Caulking Guns
• Ladders
• Ladders

1. Practice good sanitation for control. Vacuum and clear away all webs, being sure to remove any egg cases. Move and dust frequently behind furniture, stored boxes and appliances.

2. Eliminate the spiders' food sources - including flies, cockroaches and moths - and they will be less likely to return. Check and repair all screens, and seal cracks.

3. Remove piles of wood, trash and debris from around the foundation of your home. Be sure to wear protective clothing: long-sleeved shirts, long pants, gloves and boots.

4. Hose off the outside of your home to destroy webs and egg cases.

5. Replace outdoor lights with yellow or sodium-vapor lightbulbs, which are less likely to attract insects and then spiders.

6. Shake out clothing that has been stored before putting it on.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're determined to use a chemical control against spiders, keep in mind that these are only effective if the chemical lands directly on the spider. A flyswatter works as quickly.
• Two kinds of poisonous spiders inhabit North America: the black widow and the brown recluse. Watch for black widows in piles of wood, trash or stones, and in sheds, garages and barns. Watch for brown recluse spiders in old hanging clothing, behind pictures or in dark corners.

[kevpdr]

on 8/13/2007 I found a great way to get rid of spiders. Get a regular size spray bottle and fill it about 80% full with warm water. Then, add about 20 - 30 drops of essential peppermint oil to the water. Give it a little shake and then spray it around the areas where you see spiders or where they get into your house. They hate the smell of peppermint. I sprayed it around on my patio and they started running from every direction! Also, another helpful hint: Get a cat. They love to eat the little pests!

[JohanM]

on 5/8/2007 Spiders usually don't bother me that much, but yesterday I found a huge black one crawling on the floor! It was the sice of a m&m...just not as chocolaty :) If that thing would have made it into my bed I would have freaked out like a little girl ( no offense to little girls).

[vanston27]

on 4/27/2007 I'm a certified pest control applicator in north Texas. The tips by the staff expert are very good.

The most important things you can do are regular cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, and most importantly.... REDUCE CLUTTER!!!

Electonic pest control units do not work. The entomologists at Texas A&M University have proven that they do not work. Don't waste your money.

If you have a severe infestation of Scorpions or Brown Recluses, call a professional. There are some residual chemicals that are effective against arachnids such as Demand CS .06%, and Demon WP .02%, Drione, DE, and crack and crevice residual aerosols. Qualified professionals know how to apply the correct ammount to kill spiders without harming people or pets.

on 6/25/2007 I was told to hang pantyhose filled with moth balls in the basement. Spiders don't like the smell and will not enter. I tried this, and it seemed to work. Also, it removed the musty damp smell from the basement.

on 8/4/2006 I suggest lemon products, like lemon furniture polish , especially for doorways and windows. Or, you could take some lemon dish soap and mix it with some water and spray around spider's hiding spots. Spider balls may work for you, but I don't find they work, they attract spiders instead.