How to Get Rid of Spiders: Complete Guide for Homeowners (2026)

Last updated: March 3, 2026

By James — 25-year pest control industry veteran

Figuring out how to get rid of spiders starts with understanding why they are in your home in the first place. Spiders are predators that follow their food source, so their presence usually signals an underlying insect problem. While most house spiders are harmless and even beneficial, certain species like black widows and brown recluses pose real health risks. A targeted approach that combines identification, removal, and prevention is the most effective way to manage spiders in your home.

This guide covers how to identify common and dangerous spider species, proven DIY removal methods, when professional treatment makes sense, and long-term prevention strategies. For pricing details on professional spider control, see our spider exterminator cost guide.

Common House Spiders vs Dangerous Species

Identifying the spiders in your home is the first step toward deciding how to handle them. Most species found indoors are completely harmless, but two species in the United States require caution.

Common house spider

The common house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) is the species most frequently found indoors. These small, brown or tan spiders build messy, irregular webs in corners, window frames, and closets. They are harmless to humans and actually help control populations of flies, mosquitoes, and other small insects. Their webs are the main nuisance, as they collect dust and become unsightly over time.

Wolf spider

Wolf spiders are large, hairy, and fast-moving, which makes them one of the most alarming spiders to encounter indoors. Despite their intimidating appearance, wolf spiders are not dangerous to humans. They do not build webs. Instead, they are ground-dwelling hunters that chase down prey. Wolf spiders typically wander indoors accidentally through gaps under doors or around foundations, especially in fall when temperatures drop.

Cellar spider

Cellar spiders (often called "daddy longlegs") have very long, thin legs and small bodies. They build loose, irregular webs in basements, crawl spaces, garages, and dark corners. Cellar spiders are completely harmless and are actually effective predators of other spiders, including more problematic species. They are a nuisance primarily because of the webs they leave behind.

Black widow

Black widows are one of two medically significant spider species in the United States. They are shiny black with a distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. Black widows prefer dark, undisturbed areas such as garages, sheds, woodpiles, and the undersides of outdoor furniture. They are most common in the southern and western United States.

Black widow bites are rarely fatal to healthy adults but can cause severe pain, muscle cramps, and nausea. Children, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems are at greater risk. If you find black widows in or around your home, professional treatment is the safest approach.

Brown recluse

The brown recluse is the other medically significant species in the U.S. It is light to medium brown with a distinctive violin-shaped marking on the back of its head (cephalothorax). Brown recluses are found primarily in the central and southern United States, roughly from Nebraska to Texas and east to Georgia.

True to their name, brown recluses are reclusive and prefer undisturbed spaces like cardboard boxes, closets, attics, and behind furniture. Their bites can cause tissue necrosis (skin death) in some cases, though many bites heal without serious complications. If you suspect a brown recluse population in your home, use sticky traps to confirm their presence and contact a pest control professional for treatment.

Why Spiders Enter Homes

Understanding what draws spiders inside helps you address the root cause rather than just treating the symptoms.

Following prey insects

This is the primary reason spiders end up indoors. Spiders go where their food is, and homes with insect problems provide a reliable food source. Flies, gnats, ants, moths, and other small insects that are attracted to light and food scraps create an inviting environment for spiders. Reducing the insect population inside your home is the single most effective way to reduce spider activity.

Seeking shelter

Spiders seek protected spaces for web-building and egg-laying. Cluttered areas like garages, basements, attics, and storage rooms provide ideal shelter. Undisturbed boxes, piles of clothing, and stacked materials offer the dark, quiet conditions spiders prefer.

Moisture

Some spider species, particularly cellar spiders, are drawn to damp environments. Basements with moisture problems, leaky pipes, and poorly ventilated crawl spaces attract both spiders and the insects they feed on. Fixing moisture issues addresses two problems at once.

Gaps in doors, windows, and foundations

Spiders enter homes through the same gaps and cracks that let insects in. Common entry points include gaps under doors, torn or missing window screens, cracks in foundations, openings around utility pipes, and spaces where siding meets the foundation. Even small openings provide enough access for most spider species.

DIY Methods to Get Rid of Spiders

Most spider problems can be managed with consistent DIY efforts. The methods below work best when used together as part of an integrated approach rather than relying on any single technique.

Declutter to reduce hiding spots

Spiders thrive in cluttered, undisturbed areas. Removing piles of boxes, newspapers, clothing, and other stored items eliminates the sheltered spaces spiders need for web-building and egg-laying. Focus on garages, basements, attics, and closets where clutter tends to accumulate. The less hiding space available, the fewer spiders can establish themselves in your home.

Seal cracks and gaps

Inspect the exterior of your home and seal any openings that could serve as entry points. Use caulk to fill cracks along the foundation, around window frames, and where pipes or wires enter the home. Install or replace door sweeps on exterior doors. Repair or replace torn window screens. Sealing these gaps also reduces the insects that spiders follow indoors.

Remove webs regularly

Removing spider webs on a regular basis discourages spiders from staying in a particular area. Use a broom, vacuum, or cobweb duster to sweep webs from corners, window frames, eaves, and other common spots. Consistent web removal is especially effective because it destroys egg sacs before they hatch and forces spiders to expend energy rebuilding, which often causes them to relocate.

Use sticky traps

Sticky traps (glue boards) placed along baseboards, in corners, under furniture, and in closets catch wandering spiders like wolf spiders and brown recluses. They also serve as a monitoring tool, helping you gauge the severity of the problem and identify which species are present. Check traps weekly and replace them as they fill up or lose stickiness.

Reduce outdoor lighting

Outdoor lights attract flying insects, which in turn attract spiders. Reducing exterior lighting near doors and windows, or switching to yellow "bug light" bulbs, significantly decreases the insects available near entry points. This is one of the simplest and most effective prevention measures homeowners can take.

Essential oils (limited effectiveness)

Peppermint oil is frequently cited as a natural spider repellent. While some anecdotal reports suggest spiders may avoid areas with strong peppermint scent, scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited. The oil evaporates quickly and requires frequent reapplication. Essential oils should not be considered a reliable primary method for spider control, though they may provide a minor supplemental deterrent in targeted areas.

Diatomaceous earth along baseboards

Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) is a fine powder made from fossilized algae that damages the waxy coating on spider exoskeletons, causing dehydration. Apply a thin, barely visible layer along baseboards, behind furniture, in closet corners, and around other areas where spiders travel. DE works best in dry locations, as moisture renders it ineffective. Keep it away from areas accessible to small children and pets.

When Spiders Indicate a Bigger Pest Problem

If you are seeing a large number of spiders in your home, the spiders themselves are likely not the core issue. An abundance of spiders is a strong indicator of a significant insect population that is providing them with a steady food supply.

Spiders are opportunistic predators. They stay where food is plentiful. A home with dozens of spiders almost certainly has a thriving population of prey insects, including flies, gnats, ants, moths, or other small bugs. In this scenario, eliminating spiders without addressing the underlying insect infestation will produce only temporary results. New spiders will move in as long as the food source remains.

The most effective approach is to treat the insect problem first. Identify what the spiders are eating and target that population. Once the prey insects are controlled, spider numbers will decline naturally. This may involve improving sanitation, sealing entry points, addressing moisture issues, or scheduling a general pest control treatment. For more guidance on determining whether professional pest control is needed, see our guide on when to call an exterminator.

Professional Treatment Options

Professional spider treatment is warranted when venomous species are present, DIY efforts have not reduced the problem, or the spider population is large enough to indicate a significant underlying pest issue. Professionals have access to commercial-grade products and can target spiders in areas homeowners cannot easily reach.

Many pest control companies offer combination packages that include perimeter spraying, interior treatment, and web removal in a single visit. Ongoing quarterly or monthly service plans typically cost $40 to $70 per visit and provide consistent protection against spiders and the insects they feed on. For a complete pricing breakdown, visit our spider exterminator cost guide.

Prevention Tips

Long-term spider prevention is more effective and less expensive than repeated treatments. These steps reduce both spider access and the conditions that attract them.

• Keep storage areas organized. Regularly clean and reorganize garages, basements, attics, and closets. Spiders prefer undisturbed areas, so periodic reorganization disrupts their habitat.
• Use sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard. Cardboard boxes provide ideal hiding spots for spiders and their egg sacs. Switching to clear, sealed plastic bins eliminates this harborage and makes it easier to spot any pests.
• Install door sweeps. Gaps under exterior doors are a common entry point for spiders and insects. Door sweeps create a tight seal that blocks access.
• Fix torn screens. Repair or replace damaged window and door screens to prevent spiders and their prey insects from entering. Even small tears provide enough space for most spider species.
• Keep outdoor lights off or use yellow bulbs. Standard white lights attract the flying insects that spiders feed on. Turning off unnecessary exterior lights or replacing them with yellow or sodium vapor bulbs reduces insect activity near your home.
• Trim vegetation from the house perimeter. Keep shrubs, tree branches, and ornamental plants at least 12 to 18 inches from exterior walls. Overgrown vegetation provides shelter for spiders and creates bridges from the yard to your home. Clear mulch, leaf litter, and woodpiles away from the foundation as well.

For a broader look at pest control pricing across all service types, visit our pest control cost guide.

Frequently Asked Questions