How to Get Rid of Spiders

Spiders can be a frightening sight in your home. They can sometimes also cause painful bites that leave marks for a long time. Since most insecticides are harmful to you and your loved ones, you should avoid using them unless all else fails. If you are wondering how to get rid of spiders in the house, read on to learn what the most non-toxic and effective techniques are.

How Did I Get Spiders?

Spiders are small insects that will have an easy time getting into your house. They usually come in through the following:

• Windows
• Doors
• Cracks
• Holes

Any opening is a point of entry for a spider. If you have gaps in your window screens or leave your door ajar for too long, you will find new spider roommates in your house. Spiders can also come by latching onto things you bring into your home.

How Serious Are Spider Problems?

Depending on where you live, the spiders which enter your home may range from being benign to dangerous. Most spiders are not dangerous, which means spider problems will be minimal. In the United States, only the Black Widow and Brown Recluse spiders are a danger to you if they bite you. However, they rarely do and are only found in some regions of the South. Spiders are more frightening to see than actually posing danger.

What Are the Signs of a Spider Infestation?

If you want to know how to get rid of spiders in house, you first have to know what a spider infestation looks like. There are a few glaring signs of a spider infestation, whereas others are more subtle. Here are the signs you should look for to find out whether you need to get rid of any spiders crawling around your house.

• You see spider webs in the corners of your house and areas which are usually hidden from view. The shape of spider webs will often be circular.
• You find cracks in your walls, in any corners, or by windows and doors. Some spiders prefer to burrow instead of creating easily-identifiable webs.
• There are moist or damp areas in your house. Basements are usually an ideal breeding ground for spiders. Closets and storage chests are also prone to having higher humidity that spiders enjoy.
• There are other insects, either in potted plants or elsewhere. Spiders feed on insects like ants, flies, and even other spiders.

Spider Prevention and Control Tips

If you already are battling legions of spiders in your home, you probably want to know how to get rid of spiders in the house without chemicals. Although spiders have an essential role to play in nature when it comes to keeping other pest populations manageable, you may not want them in your home. If you are looking to deter spiders from entering your home in the first place, you can try the following:

Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water and place the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray where you suspect spiders would enjoy or have already been noticed. Another way to use peppermint oil is to apply a few drops to cotton balls and place them anywhere you suspect spiders have an entry point into your home. This will deter them from entering.

Create a spray by mixing a cup of apple cider vinegar and pepper, along with a teaspoon of liquid dish soap and a carrier oil. Spray this in damp areas like your bathroom, as well as anywhere you have noticed spider webs.

How To Get Rid of Spiders in House

Keep your house clean. Remove any clutter that has built up over the years. Dust regularly and put things away that would be appealing for a spider to use to create a nest.

Sprinkle borax into areas that have cracks and holes. This powder will both repel and kill them. You can also put this powder between your windows and along the bottoms of your doors.

Putting chestnuts on windowsills not only brings in festive cheer, but it repels spiders effectively. These nuts keep for a long time, so you can have them sitting on your window sills for quite some time.

Spiders hate lemon and orange peels. They will run away at the first hint of citrus. You can rub the skins on your window sills, doorways, bookshelves, and other problem areas. If you use peels, you will have to replace them within 48 hours because they will lose their potency. You can also put a citrus essential oil and mix a few drops into water and spray the mixture on the problem areas.

Wrapping Up

Spiders can scare you with their presence and also give you nasty bite marks. Thankfully, you can get rid of them by using a few non-toxic methods. If you tried the array of methods provided earlier and still are having problems with spiders weaving their webs in your home, you may want to consider calling an exterminator.