Spiders. Yikes. These eight-legged arachnids are a common sight in homes across the United States. Finding spiders in your home can be unsettling, even when you know most species are harmless. The key to effective spider control is understanding what’s attracting them in the first place, usually other insects, and choosing the right treatment approach for your situation. This guide covers natural deterrents, safe use of chemical products, long-term prevention strategies, and when it makes sense to bring in professional help so you can make the best decision for your home.

Navigating and Treating Spiders in Your Home

Why You Have Spiders (and Why They Keep Coming Back)

Spiders don’t invade homes randomly; they follow food sources like flies, mosquitoes, ants, and other small insects. Common attractants include clutter that provides hiding spots, moisture from leaks or poor ventilation, and outdoor lighting that draws insects closer to entry points. Cracks around windows, doors, and foundations give spiders easy access indoors. If you’re seeing lots of spiders regularly, there’s a good chance you also have an insect problem that needs addressing.

Not sure what type of spider you’re seeing? Check our spider identification guide to help you recognize common and dangerous species before you start treatment.

 

Deter Spiders With Organic Spider Controls

If you prefer to start with green or organic methods, there are several natural options that can help deter spiders without harsh chemicals.

Essential Oils

Spiders hate strong smells like peppermint, tea tree, and lavender. Dilute tea tree, lavender, or a few drops of peppermint essential oils with water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution near doors and window sills where spiders enter your home. This is a natural spider repellant and will keep the spiders at bay.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

This is a non-toxic, all-natural remedy. It does an excellent job of pulling the water out of the spider’s exoskeleton, causing them to die. Sprinkling DE around the perimeter of your home lowers their numbers without putting your family or pets in danger.

Get Rid Of Spiders With Chemical Spider Repellent

For homeowners who want stronger DIY solutions, over-the-counter products can be effective when used correctly and safely.

Spider Sprays and Insecticides

Several chemical-based bug killers on the market target spiders. The best products contain pyrethroids and are featured in brands like resmethrin (Scourge®), permethrin (Biomist®), and sumithrin (Anvil®).

Spider Traps

These traps are non-toxic. Place them around where you spot spiders frequently and they’ll walk right into them. This is an easy way to prevent spiders from entering your home.

Why Misapplication Can Be Risky

Common mistakes with DIY chemical treatments include spraying too much product, using outdoor formulations indoors, applying sprays in the wrong locations, and not following safety precautions on the label. Effective spider control means targeting the areas where spiders actually travel and hide: baseboards, cracks, behind appliances, entry points, not just spraying visible surfaces. Misuse can create health risks for your family and pets without effectively controlling spiders.

How to Spider-Proof Your Home Long Term

The most effective spider control combines treatment with habitat modification and prevention strategies that make your home less attractive and accessible.

  • Seal cracks, gaps, and entry points: Inspect the exterior of your home for gaps around windows, doors, utility lines, vents, and foundation cracks. Use caulk to seal smaller gaps, add weatherstripping around doors and windows, and install door sweeps to close the space under exterior doors.
  • Reduce clutter inside and out: Organize storage areas, keep boxes off the floor, minimize piles of clothing or paper, and avoid stacking items in corners. Outside, manage woodpiles by keeping them elevated and away from the house, clear away stacked materials, and trim back dense vegetation or mulch that touches your foundation.
  • Control moisture and fix leaks: Repair leaky faucets and pipes, improve ventilation in basements and crawl spaces, and use dehumidifiers in damp areas. Proper drainage around your foundation and working gutters also help reduce moisture that encourages both insects and spiders.
  • Manage other pest problems: Since spiders follow their prey, controlling flies, mosquitoes, ants, and other insects significantly reduce the food sources that keep spiders around. A comprehensive pest management plan that addresses multiple pest types will naturally reduce spider activity as well.
  • Regular cleaning and web removal: Vacuum up webs, egg sacs, and spiders regularly, paying special attention to corners, behind furniture, along baseboards, in basements, and in garages. Frequent cleaning disrupts spider reproduction cycles and removes the sheltered spots they prefer.

The Importance of Professional Pest Control to Remove Spiders from Your Home

Controlling an isolated incident of spiders can be taken care of with DIY methods. However, there comes a time when professional assistance is necessary to get the spiders out of your home. Severe infestations or poisonous spiders, such as the brown recluse or black widow, are serious. People should never take these infestations lightly.

Professional pest control services handle your spider problem effectively and safely, and they’re thorough with their work. They’ll find the reasons and what attracts spiders to your home. Next, they will prevent them from entering and provide a range of immediate treatments and preventative services. This will keep the creepy crawlies out of your home long-term.

Take Control of Spiders in Your Home with ABC Termite & Pest Control Company

You have plenty of options when it comes to managing spiders, from natural repellents and safe product use to home modifications and professional treatment. If you’ve tried DIY methods and spiders keep coming back, or you simply want expert help from the start, contact ABC Termite & Pest Control for professional spider treatment in the Omaha and Lincoln areas. We’ll create a plan that addresses spiders and the pests that attract them, so you can enjoy a more comfortable, spider-free home. Talk with an exterminator today!