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

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.