15 Different Ways to Catch and Get Rid of Spiders

how to get rid of spiders

Do you find spiders creepy? Are you sick of them crawling in your home?

Well, don’t worry.

They don’t mean to harm you anyways. But it is also not okay to have them roaming inside your house.

So, here is your complete guide to getting rid of spiders in various different ways that work the most effectively.

But before we begin with those ways, let’s begin with knowing about spiders and why they do come inside your home…

Different Types of Spiders

First, let’s understand the different types of spiders entering your home.

It would be best if you kept in mind that most of them will not cause you any harm or bite you.

Here are some of the most common spiders that can enter your home:

  • Cardinal spider
  • Giant house spiders
  • False widow spiders
  • Hobo spiders
  • Wolf spider
  • Lace web spiders
  • Zebra jumping spider
  • Daddy long legs
  • Money spiders
  • Cupboard spiders
  • Huntsman spider
  • Cobweb-weaving spiders

Most of these species are not poisonous.

But they can get aggressive and bite people at home if provoked.

Although these bites are not very dangerous, they can be painful and fatal depending on the type of spider that has bitten.

So, it would be best if you were more cautious when getting rid of them.


Why Do Spiders Come Inside?

Did you know that only five percent of house spiders will go outside your home? Yes, that’s right.

Most of them inside your house will keep multiplying due to the eggs they lay in building materials or furniture.

After that, they live in the house for a long time because it is their home for them.

But have you wondered why the spiders will come inside your home in the first place?

Well, that can be due to a number of reasons.

a) For Mating

Firstly, if you have a female spider living in your house, you must remember that male spiders will look for them during the mating season.

The mating season usually takes place during the summer, and that is when the male spiders outside may come inside your home.

b) For Food and Water

Spiders usually feed on other pests found around your home, which include insects like moths, mosquitoes, drain flies, roaches, etc.

And if they find plenty of them inside your home, they will get attracted.

To make your place less inviting for spiders, you will need to get rid of these insects by ensuring proper trash disposal.

Plus, ensure you fix all leakages and standing water supply near the sinks or drains from where spiders keep their body hydrated.

c) To Hideout Safely and Get a Shelter

Darker and secluded areas of your property are the favorite places for spiders where they love to hang out.

These areas will generally include the attic, crawl space, garage, or basement.

Here they can find an undisturbed environment with optimum humidity and warmth, which they need to thrive.  

You may also find them nesting and feeding in areas like your garden, where they can find plenty of tree branches, bushes, and shrubs to hide.


How to Catch a Spider Inside Home?

If you have a phobia of bugs, catching the spiders by hand may not work for you.

However, if you don’t fear holding an insect, you can simply pick them up and leave them outside your home.

Many individuals catch a spider by using a glass or a mason jar.

It is a great method to help you humanely rid of the spider.

Just make sure that the jar is transparent, has enough space to hold the spider, and is not too fragile or heavy.

When you are ready, you will have to get close to the spider to trap it under the container.

To pick the jar up, you will have to slide a piece of cardboard or paper beneath the jar.

After that, lift the jar and release the spider away from your home.

Glue Traps

Glue traps can also work very well in catching these eight-legged critters.

You can buy one from the market or easily make a DIY glue trap at home using cardboard.

Spread some sticky glue across the surface on one side while keeping the other side clean and dry.

Set this trap where the spiders are most active, like inside your cupboards, near the trash bin, near flower pots, under your kitchen sink or bathtub, etc.

As the spiders try to crawl through these glue traps, they will stick due to their furry body.

To make this trap work better, you can add a few live insects (such as ants and roaches) as bait to lure the spiders.

how to catch spider

How to Get Rid of Spiders at Home? (15 Ways)

If you don’t want to get too close to the spiders and trap them under the jar, there are many other popular ways to rid of them.

Here are 15 of them that are most commonly used by homeowners:

1. Keep the Outdoor Lights Off

Lights are a big attraction for creepy-crawlies.

Most of them are nocturnal, so they will come close to any source of light during the night.

Light also provides them a way to find food outside.

So, if you don’t want spiders to feast on the insects in your yard or garden, keep the lights off at night.

If they find food, they will be reluctant to leave, so this is an effective method to keep them away.

2. Adopt a Cat

Cats are always on the hunt for creepy crawlies.

They will take care of your spider problem in no time, and you will not have to make any effort yourself.

So, get the help of this adorable creature and say goodbye to your spider problem.

3. Utilize Conkers

Another name for conkers is horse chestnuts.

They have chemicals inside that the spiders strongly dislike.

You can place conkers in every corner of the house where you think spiders will come to reside.

Once they come near these, they will instantly go away because of the taste and smell.

You should not only rely on this method.

Use it with other methods of getting rid of spiders if you want the best results.

4. Keep Your Trash Away from Your Home

Trash attracts flies, and flies attract spiders.

It is a vicious cycle, and you can be caught in the middle of it.

That is why you should always keep your trash a great distance away from your home.

Tightly seal your trash cans and wheel them away from your home.

Ensure that the trash inside is also in airtight bags so that there is no smell or anything else that can attract flies.

Spiders also love to reside in old cans and bottles.

So, whenever you are done consuming a drink or juice, always recycle your cans.

5. Always Keep Your Garden and Home Clean

The messier your garden, the easier it will be for insects and other creepy crawlies to set up shelter.

That is why you should always keep your garden neat.

Prune and clean your entire garden and keep plants away from your doorstep so spiders are not attracted to come inside.

Keeping the inside of your home clean is also just as important. Keep your home free of dust and clutter.

That way, the spiders will not be able to build any webs in your home in the dusty corners.

It is not a quick way, but it can be effective and should be used with other methods.

6. Seal All the Openings in Your Home

Spiders can enter your home through openings of many corners and nooks.

That is why it is essential to seal all openings around the doors and windows in your home.

Installing window screens can also be a great solution as it will prevent any creepy crawlies from creeping in.

7. Cover Your Pet Food

Never leave pet food lying around, especially outdoors.

It can gather flies and bugs and attract spiders.

Always cover them with a plastic box or container to prevent flies from becoming attracted.

8. Always Wash Your Fruits

Always wash your fruit after bringing it from the supermarket.

Fruits are appealing to creepy crawlies, and they will instantly attract any around your house.

So, never forget to clean them if you want spiders to stay away from your home.

9. Use Cinnamon

Creepy crawlies have a heightened sense of smell than humans.

That is why they find some odors incredibly strong that we love.

Cinnamon is one of them, and spiders hate their scent.

If you want to keep spiders away, you can burn a cinnamon-scented candle inside and outside the house.

Once they smell this, they will go away in no time. It is one of the most effective home remedies you can use.

10. Consider Growing Eucalyptus

Another smell that spiders hate is that of eucalyptus.

So, growing them in your home is guaranteed to keep the spiders from entering.

You can also keep them on your deck or yard so that spiders can be deterred from the outside.

Other than planting eucalyptus, you can try mint, basil geraniums, marigolds, and lemon verbena. chrysanthemums and rosemary.

All these spider-repellent plants can be an incredibly effective way of getting rid of these creatures in your home and garden.

11. Use Lavender

Do you love the smell of lavender? Do you know who doesn’t?

Spiders don’t because they hate the odor.

So, combine warm water, 1 tbsp washing liquid, and seven drops of lavender oil in a spray bottle.

Shake it all and spray it around doors, windows, walls, and other corners.

It will make your house smell nice and repel the spiders away.

12. Use Lemon as a Weapon

Do you know what spiders hate? The smell of citrus.

So, utilizing a lemon is the perfect weapon against spiders.

Just the smell of it from a distance will drive them away, and they will never visit your home again.

The best way to do this is by rubbing lemon peel all over the house in bookshelves, cabinets, windowsills, and other places they might hide.

Once they smell the lemon peel, they will move out of your home.

13. Peppermint Essential Oil

If you don’t want to rub lemon peels on your furniture or doors, you should apply peppermint instead.

All you will have to do is fill a spray bottle with twenty drops of peppermint oil and water.

After that, spray the mixture on all the nooks and corners of your house.

It will deter the spiders from coming inside, and you will have humanely gotten rid of them.

14. Vinegar is another Great Option

If you want to create the strongest repellent to deter spiders, vinegar is the best mixture to utilize.

Mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray it in every corner of the house.

We know that vinegar has a strong odor that even you might hate, but it will go away once the mixture dries, so don’t worry about that.

15. Use Bleach as a Pesticide

Making homemade pesticides with just bleach and water is another excellent home remedy for repelling spiders away.

All you have to do is mix the two to dilute the bleach, and you can spray it around the home in places that can attract spiders.

The odor will instantly drive them away.

black widow spider

What Spiders are Poisonous to Humans?

The deadliest spiders around the world include the Brown Recluse, Black Widow, Redback, Hobo, and Sydney Funnel-Web.

Few others that can be included in the list of dangerous spiders are the Six-eyed Sand Spider, Brown Widow, Red Widow, Goliath Birdeater, 3 Mouse Spider, Chilean Recluse, and the Brazilian Wandering Spider.

These are the world’s most dangerous spiders with venomous stings you should stay away from.

The Goliath birdeater tarantula (Theraphosa Blondi) is also the world’s largest spider by mass, weighing around 6.2 oz (175 g).

Although very dangerous and poisonous, the level of harm caused (when they bite humans) will usually depend on the amount of venom injected.

Plus, people’s sensitivity levels may vary from person to person, who also decides whether the reaction they feel is immediate or not.

Many people are not very sensitive, so they have zero reaction (or a bit delayed reaction) when bit by poisonous spiders.

On the other hand, the impact of poisonous bites can be immediate on people sensitive to allergic reactions.

Hence, they will require emergency medical treatment if bitten by spiders. Failing can sometimes cause sudden death.  

How to Avoid the Bite?

One of the best ways to avoid poisonous bites from spiders like the brown recluse and black widow is by being careful.

Like if you are putting up the shoes in the morning, shake or tap them outside before you slide the feet into them.

Plus, inspect your clothing before putting them on.

Also, make sure to inspect your bedding before you lie down on your bed at night.

Spiders can crawl slowly through your bedroom and can hide in your bed for long without getting your notice.


Can You Use Insecticides To Kill Poisonous Spiders?

Irrespective of your sensitive levels, you should take proper steps to kill poisonous spiders as soon as you see them nearby or inside your property.

Fortunately, there are the best spider killer sprays and insecticides available on the market that can serve the purpose.  

Some of those insecticides are so powerful that they can kill the spiders instantly when sprayed on them, even from a distance.

Plus, the effects of these insecticides can last for several weeks once it has been applied on the surfaces that serve as an entry point for spiders.

Mostly these areas can be around your doors, windows, cracks in the wooden deck, etc.

If you are searching for a good spider killer that can work indoors and outdoors, here are a few best options you can consider from…

  • D-Fense SC
  • Suspend SC
  • Cyzmic CS
  • Cyper TC
  • Delta Dust
  • Bifen L/P
  • Hot Shot Spider Killer
  • Terro Spider Killer
  • Talar Professional Insecticides
  • Black Flag Spider Killer Aerosol Spray

Out of all the above spider killer products, my top pick is D-Fense SC.

Compared to other formulas, this concentrate mixes well and can give you the highest level of control you are seeking.

Plus, it’s very affordable to use.

If you are using it for indoor purposes, a 1-gallon pack can quickly provide nearly eight to ten different treatments depending on the dose you will be using.

Products like Permethrin SFR and food-grade diatomaceous earth can be a great alternative if you have concerns about using insecticides to kill spiders.

These not only work for keeping away the spiders but also other insects.

spider killing sprays

Important Tips for Picking and Using Spider Killer Sprays

When picking the insecticides for killing poisonous spiders, it’s important to know whether you want to use them indoors or outdoor.

Pesticides that are meant for indoor purposes should have little or no smell at all.   

These should be safe to use around humans as well as pets without causing any issues (such as sneezing or nasal irritation) to them.

When considering indoor sprays, also make sure that you avoid getting any wettable powders.

These can leave ugly white residues on your walls, wood, or other surfaces when dried.

Pesticides, when selected for outdoor purposes (like for spraying in the garden, backyard, deck, etc.), should come with stronger sticking power.

These spider-controlling insecticides must resist sunlight, rain, wind, and other environmental effects.

This is important to make them last longer.

A pungent smell will not be a problem if you are choosing the insecticide spray for outdoor use.

So, make sure you pick the stronger one that can remain intact for weeks, even if it smells a bit hard.

Application Tips and Precautions

Once you have purchased the right product for killing spiders, you should follow certain safety guidelines to use them best.

  • Before spraying, read the manufacturers’ instruction carefully that has been provided on the product label.
  • Never apply any insecticides without protective gear. Always protect yourself while handling chemicals by using hand gloves and face masks.
  • Active ingredients used in spider killer sprays can be dangerous for pregnant women, kids, and pets. So, make sure you do not use these products in their presence.
  • To get the best protection from the spiders, re-spray the insecticides (at least once every three months) around the places that can serve as an entry point for the spiders.

Remember, certain spider species (like brown recluse) can be very dangerous due to their poisonous sting.

Hiring a good spider extermination service is, therefore, most recommended if you want to be safe.

Depending on your location, type of spider, and the level of infestation, the cost of exterminating spiders can range from as low as $50 to as high as $500.

Although the prices can vary considerably, you should be ready to spend an average of $175 if you are planning to hire pest control services to get rid of spiders.

Other Related Questions:

Why do spiders build webs?

Most spiders spin their webs to trap and catch insects for eating.

These spiders use their spinnerets (silk-spinning organ of a spider) to produce silk threads in their silk glands.

Which is then used for spinning the web.

However, the thing you should note here is not all spiders build webs.

Some may not weave them at all, while there are others who build but do not use them for catching their prey.

What kind of webs do spiders make?

Different spider species are known to weave various kinds of webs.

Some of the most common spider webs that are commonly found in the U.S. states include:

  • Sheet webs
  • Funnel webs
  • Triangle webs
  • Spiral Orb Webs
  • Tangle Webs or Cobwebs

Can spiders camouflage themselves?

Spiders around the world are provided with diverse functions and abilities.

The ability to camouflage themselves is one of them.

Crab spiders particularly use their ability to camouflage for capturing prey and hide from predators.

Crab spiders can produce silk, but they do not weave the webs for preying.

Instead, they change their colors (which range between yellow and white) and can do so for days while waiting on different color flowers for their prey to come.

Crab spiders are also venomous and paralyze their prey by injecting venom before they grab them.

But worry not, the bite of a giant crab spider isn’t dangerous to humans but can be a bit painful.

Final Words 

That was your complete guide to getting rid of spiders in your home.

Most of the time, it is not difficult as you can simply swat them away with a broom or a fly swatter if they come your way.

For others, all the above ways will effectively help to remove spiders without killing them.

Use these methods consistently, and soon your house will be creepy-crawly free.

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