How To Get Rid Of Spiders? Natural, Herbal, and Chemical Treatment
Spiders are arachnids, a class of arthropods that also includes scorpion, mites, and ticks. There are more than 45,000 known species of spiders, found in habitats all over the world. Spiders vary in size from 0.11 inch (Samoan moss spider) to a big Goliath bird-eater, a tarantula.
When one thinks of spiders, he comes up with a fearful figure with venom in his mind. However, one must know that only some species of spiders are harmful to humans. Those are the ‘black widow’ and the ‘brown recluse’, both found in the US.
Here are some common types of spiders we can find around –
- Black Widow
- Black and shiny with tell-tale hourglass shape under the abdomen.
- Found in the regions where the temperature is warmer. Found throughout the United States.
- Live under stones or deck, hollow tree stumps, and in firewood piles.
- Female species are aggressive and bite in defense, especially while protecting eggs.
- Brown Recluse
- Light to dark brown with violin marking on their back.
- Found in the central Midwest U.S. from Ohio to Nebraska and in the south through Texas and Georgia.
- Often lives outdoors in debris and woodpiles. Indoors, they are found under furniture, inside storages, and in dark places.
- Bites will not be felt first but intense pain and stinging sensation will soon be experienced.
- House Spiders
- They are often yellowish-brown with an elongated abdomen.
- House spiders are found worldwide and are common throughout the United States and Canada.
- They can be found under furniture and in closets but the most common places are garages, sheds, and barns. They spin webs around windows and under paves.
- House spiders are less harmful to humans but they may bite in defense.
- Jumping Spiders
- They are compact in shape with short legs; they are black and covered with dense hair.
- Jumping spiders are found throughout the U.S.
- They can be found both indoors and outdoors. They mostly hunt inside structures around windows and doors.
Outdoors, they can be seen on bushes, fences, decks, under stones, and outside of the buildings. - They may bite in defense but are not poisonous.
- Long-bodied Cellar Spider
- They are pale yellow to light brown with long, skinny legs and a small body.
- Around 20 species are found around the U.S. and Canada.
- They are found in high humidity and moist places, basement, and crawl-spaces. Outside, they can be found in garages, barns, warehouses, and sheds.
- They do not bite and hence, are not harmful to humans.
- Wolf Spiders
- They are usually dark brown with paler stripes or markings.
- More than 100 species are found in the U.S. and Canada.
- They stay near the floor, close to walls and under furniture. Outdoors, they can be found under stones, timbers, firewood, leaves, etc.
They bite very rarely.
How to Get Rid of Indoor Spiders?
Pests, in general, are a nuisance to have around. They are unhygienic and spread diseases and infections as they crawl across the house. The infections spread by spiders can be sometimes potentially poisonous. The spiders are extremely hard to get rid of because of their nearly invisible webs and their appearance.
We try to get rid of pests in the house by doing what we can to the fullest. For the small infestations, we don’t prefer and afford to call professional service. There are, however, some natural remedies which we can try in our home.
Natural Home Remedies to Get Rid of Indoor Spiders
- Seal the cracks in walls – The easiest way to get rid of is to prevent entry. The spider comes into your house through small cracks and gaps in doors and windows. Blocking these entry points with filling material will help prevent the entry.
Also, check whether you have wires or cables coming into your house through a wall or some opening. These are also potential entry points of spiders. Seal all the smallest entry points to prevent them. - Remove the plants – There may be plants at the entrance of the house. Spiders hide in plants, leaves, and stones. If possible, remove the plants and locate elsewhere or ensure it is not touching the wall or floor.
- Keep house clutter-free – Cleaning the house up to the ceiling and corners is the better way to find and get rid of spiders. If the spaces are clutter-free, spiders won’t have access to places or hiding places. Ensure newspaper piles or clothes piles are neat and clean.
- Manage the lights in the house – The bugs get attracted to the food which can be easily seen in broad light. Spiders live on bugs by making them prey.
After a specific time, ensure that you switch off maximum lights and switch over to sodium vapor lights. This will keep most of the bugs out as well as spiders. - Clean utensils after food – Leftover food in containers or dishes will attract pests like flies, mosquitoes – note that they are food for spiders.
Always ensure to clean up the dishes and bowls immediately after food so that you can avoid pests and spiders. - Avoid leftover food – Remaining food after lunch or dinner must be arranged in a place out of reach of pests. If kept outside, it could be an invitation to several bugs that also carry disease and infections. These bugs, being the prey of spiders, will invite them.
Manage the leftover food out of sight like keeping it in the refrigerator. - Clean the dust periodically – Ensure the places where dust can accumulate easily are cleaned at a regular interval. The places like cupboard tops, AC units, indoor pavement, kitchen cabinets, to name a few, must be dust-free. This will prevent the spiders to come into your house.
- Peppermint Spray – Peppermint oil fragrance will keep the spiders away as they hate the smell.
Mix 25 drops of peppermint essential oil in normal water taken in a spray bottle. Spray it all over your house including furniture and curtains. The spiders will quickly move away from the house. - Eucalyptus Oil – Spiders cannot tolerate eucalyptus essential oil just like peppermint. Eucalyptus has other benefits – it can fight colds and detoxify your body pores.
It can also prevent spider activity in your home too. - Vinegar – The spiders hate the smell of any kind of vinegar. Mix equal quantity of water and vinegar and spray it in the home and directly on spiders.
You can also pour vinegar into a bowl and keep it in the corners to prevent spiders. - Lemon Peels – Lemon and lime peels will keep the spiders away because of their citric nature with repellent quality. You can keep the lemons peels daily in the corners and see the results.
- Tea Tree Oil – Tea tree essential oil scares the spiders and they keep away from such places. Tea tree oil is also helpful for the skin.
Add few drops in water and spray the mixture. You can also pour a few drops on furniture or clothes. Cotton balls laden with tea tree oil also can be placed strategically in areas in the house. - Walnuts – Though walnut snack is tasty to eat, it is a spider deterrent. Spiders hate walnuts, though the reason behind this is unknown. A bowl of walnuts in the corner will help you to drive the spiders out of the house.
- Citrus Plants – You can have the citrus plant outdoors and similar to the lemon peel method, it will help you to keep spiders away from the entire area. Plus, it can control the frequency of the spiders.
- Vacuum Cleaner – Vacuuming the house regularly will eliminate the spiders from your home. Spiders along with their webs will get destroyed in a single operation.
How to Get Rid of Spiders With Pets in the House?
When you are having pets in your house, you need to take a bit of extra care. Though all the above methods will not harm the pets, one should remember that some methods like the peppermint and eucalyptus oil ones, does not go overboard. The limitation has to be maintained for not crossing the limits.
These are some simple precautions you can add to your methods to get rid of spiders –
- Do not let the woodpiles, rocks, compost piles, etc. gather near your house. These will be the harbourage to the spiders.
- Use a sealant to the cracks and crevices. Arrange proper screening to windows and other entry points of spiders.
- Use vacuum cleaner regularly. The vacuum will not only remove spiders but will also remove webs, egg sacs, and the other insects that are prey for the spider.
- Remove all the food waste and cover the food properly.
- Apply sticky traps with baseboards. While moving, the spider will get stuck and others will not come. These sticky traps are poison-free and hence, are safe for the pets in the house.
Chemical Treatment to Get Rid of Indoor Spiders
There are different methods to get rid of or kill spiders. The non-toxic methods can be applied by the individual; however, in case of heavy infestation of spiders, these methods will not work and you will need to seek the help of a professional pest control service provider.
They use toxic pesticides that will need a license for use. The dosages are regulated by each government and must be adhered to by service providers. We can see below which products are used to treat spiders. The name of the product may vary based on the service provider –
- Onslaught FastCap – Micro-encapsulated, fast-acting, usage inside or outside.
- LambdaStar UltraCap 9.7 – Micro-encapsulated, it adheres well to the surface areas and ideal for perimeter treatment around structures.
- Cyzmic CS – A suspended, encapsulated insecticide concentrate with a long residual and controlled release, that can be sprayed inside or outside. Adheres well to surfaces.
- Cyper WSP – Wettable powder that can be used inside or outside.
- PT211L Aerosol – The PT211L has a long residual and very good knockdown, it is a good all-purpose spray with a low odor.
- D-Force HPX Aerosol – It lasts 4 to 8 weeks and is a sealant with a crack and crevice tip.
- Stryker 54 Contact Spray – This pyrethrins aerosol is used to flush spiders out of hiding places and kill them.
- Insecticide Dust – The insecticide in the form of D-Fense Duct can be used in the areas like attics. The areas under baseboards and void walls can be dusted with a hand duster.
A Cobweb Duster Head will have a standard pole with which the spider webs on height can be cleaned. - Spider Traps – Trapper LTD Insect Glue Boards will catch the spiders and help to monitor further activity.
- Scorpion Insecticide – This will come in combination with PT211L Aerosol as Residential Spider Kit covering both the purposes of working inside as spray and sealing cracks and crevices outside.
How to Get Rid of Outdoor Spiders?
Like inside the house, you will find the spiders outdoor too, maybe much more in number. They come behind their prey that comes in search of food.
A fully grown garden spider can be often spotted around your outdoors. In this particular species, large females have a distinctive black and yellow abdomen and black legs with red and yellow markings.
Apart from this, there are some common spiders seen outside such as –
- Brown Recluse Spider
- Wolf Spider
- Tarantula
- Hobo Spider
- Black Widow Spider
The above are only a few of them. Like indoor spiders, we need to get rid of outdoor spiders too. Rather, if we get rid of outdoor spiders, none will come indoors.
Chemical Treatment to Get Rid of Outdoor Spiders?
It is quite possible that you were so busy taking care of indoor infestation and did not give attention to outdoor spider infestation which got heavy. Not to worry, you can adopt some chemical treatments which are proven effective on these types of infestation or you can take the help of the professionals in the field.
One universal rule for spiders – the chemicals are not very effective to kill or control spiders. Spiders don’t pick up pesticides. This is because the spiders have very long legs and their bellies are kept well above the ground, so, the body organs are not going to get affected by pesticides.
Spiders can partially get affected only if the spraying is done on the cracks and crevices, where they are active; otherwise, the best way to kill them is to spray directly on them or hitting them physically with a newspaper or similar. As for outdoor spiders, it is more difficult to kill them as we need to search for them.
We can see what are the chemical treatments carried out outdoors –
- Spider Control Kit – This kit includes three components – CB-80 Aerosol, Catchmaster100i Monitors, and Temprid FX.
- Demon WP Insecticide – This contains envelope and case type.
- Suspend SC – Effective in controlling up to 3 months, and can kill over 50 insects.
- Cyzmic CS Controlled Release Insecticide – It comes in 5 different packings.
- Onslaught FastCap Spider and Scorpion Insecticide – It comes in 2 sizes.
- Permethrin SFR 36.8% – There are 4 different sizes available.
- PT Phantom II Pressurized Insecticide – It is available in 2 sizes.
- Bifen IT – This comes in 7 different packings.
- CimeXa Insecticide Dust – It comes in 3 sizes.
- Conquer Liquid Insecticide – It comes in 2 packings.
Apart from these products, one can try using glue traps or pads. Though it is observed that spiders don’t get attracted to glue traps, if some bug has been caught on it, then they will get attracted. Seeing the presence of a bug over it, they might get trapped while trying to eat the bug.
You must plan to place it at the proper place to get maximum effect from it. Generally, you can put it in dark, quiet areas. Closets, between the bed and wall, or by a piece of furniture are the most common places where you can see spider activity.
Spiders do not socialize, instead they are essentially loners. They like to operate on their own and do not share food. They are easy to kill will with physical force, rather than trying any chemicals on them.
That said, you can also try spider catcher too, which allows you to grab it without going near with the long grabber attached.
How to Get Rid of Spiders in Your Yard?
It is being said about the spiders that, they are more useful than harmful as they eat other tiny and small insects. The quote is fine till their presence is not creating a nuisance to you or their numbers are not worrying. Based on the infestation, one can decide on the action to be taken.
- Get rid of hiding places – Spiders prefer to hide in shady, dark places with limited light. They can also be found in and around trees, garages, corners, boxes, piles of wood, etc.
Reducing these sort of clutter is the best way to keep them away. You have to take precautions while removing this material by wearing proper hand gloves to prevent spider bites.
- Break the web – Breaking their webs is another option as most of the garden spiders will move away if the web is broken.
Garden spiders are not harmful to humans; however, they grow around 2 inches long and form shabby webs around the porches, windows, garage gate. These webs will always include a white line down the center.
- Clean the area – Keeping your yard clean and neat is another way to avoid spiders. Cleaning bushes and vegetation regularly from the site of your foundation can prevent the spiders from setting up their web because of a lack of an appropriate place.
- Sweep them away – If you are able to sweep the spider web away with a broom, whenever you notice it, you will see that it discourages the spiders to build a new one every time and they would prefer to move away.
For any outdoor spider control attempt, it is better to contact the professional pest control services. They will use proper chemicals to kill or control the spiders effectively.
Pesticide usage must be the last option taken, with the help of professionals, as most of the spiders are strongly resistant to commonly available types of pesticides. If you are using some pesticides to kill spiders, be aware of their combinations and safety in use.
You can make your yard less attractive to the spiders by keeping it clean and tidy. By getting rid of spider harbourage, you can deny them from entering your yard.
How to Get Rid of Spiders From Trees?
Spiders get attracted to the quiet, out-of-the-way areas where they can find their prey. Their prey in the form of tiny, small pests, insects are often observed in and around the trees. Whenever there are more pests in the trees, you are sure to find the spiders around. Spider mites are the most common pests in the garden. They damage the plants by eating tissues mainly in the leaves. These mites can be often observed at the undersides of the leaves.
Signs of an infestation – Spider tree mites will leave signs of damage to trees. If tree leaves develop yellow, orange, brown, or gray spots, then, know this that the infestation process is going on. Other signs to note are –
- Leaf drop
- Webbing covering the plant
- Visual confirmation of presence
The most common plants that become their target are listed as follows –
- Broadleaf evergreens
- Elms
- Evergreens
- Fruit trees
- Honeylocust
- Maples
- Mountain ash
- Oaks
If the trees are in your garden or yard, you must take care to get rid of other pests first. This will automatically lead to fending off the spiders.
How to Get Rid of Spiders From Trees?
You can consider the following methods to control the spiders from trees –
- Biological control
You can opt for several insects and arachnids that are natural predators of spiders. By limiting the use of chemicals, you can encourage these helpers.
- Big-eyed bugs
- Gall midge
- Lacewings
- Minute pirate bugs
- Predatory mites
- Predatory thrips
- Spider mite destroyer
- Organic Control
You can adopt two methods – horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps. Oil from neem trees can be used as an organic miticide.
Consult the expert for deciding the time to apply it. For a more inexpensive and conventional formula, combine 2 teaspoon of natural soap with 1 quart of water and include garlic or cayenne as an added punch.
- Water Control
Plants suffering from drought are attacked by spider mites, therefore, watering the plants sufficiently can also control the spiders. Soak or spray the plants with a faucet or hose but ensure that you are not watering too much.
- Chemical Control
Using chemicals to control spiders in trees or plants should be the last option. Acaricides can control the spider mites but they may attack the beneficial predators reducing the possibility of natural control.
Therefore, it should be used only if required.
How to Find Spider Nests?
Spider nests are temporary homes built by spiders through the silk that they spin and are usually set in the dark to avoid any disturbance. If you want to find out the nests, here is what you need to do –
Look in the corners overhead and door opening from outside of the house. If you have plants outside, then, you can find them there too.
They also like to make their nest in the dark, secluded area and cluttered attics or garages.
Some spiders even carry their nest along with them. If you find an egg sac that is round or pillow-shaped and milky, then you are going to find the nest.
If you want to dispose of the nest wear gloves properly taking care not to touch any part of the nest with bare hands or skin.
How to Treat Spider Bite?
There are two types of spiders of which the bites are poisonous, Black widow and Brown recluse. In both bites, one will have intense pain followed by a stinging sensation. For a normal person, it is not possible to distinguish which of them has bitten or it is not any one of them.
Hence, it is better to have an expert doctor in consultation.
The treatment for spider bite will be normally as follows –
- Clean the bite with mild soap and water. Apply an antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection.
- Apply a cool damp cloth to the bite. This will reduce the pain and swelling.
- If the bite is on your arm or leg, elevate it.
- Take a pain reliever as needed.
Observe the bite signs for infection.
FAQ
Q. How to get rid of spiders under pavers?
- Check the pavers for cracks or damage. Block the cracks with caulks and do not let go of any gap.
Q. How to get rid of spiders around the pool?
- You need to ensure the plants are sufficiently away from the pool or have citrus plants around them. You can add a few drops of essential oil to the water if spiders are in the pool.
Q. How to get rid of a giant spider?
- A normal method may not work for big-sized spiders.
- Therefore, you can try using some home-made spider deterrent like a mixture of white vinegar and water and spray it on the spiders directly.
Q. How vegans get rid of spiders?
- Usually, they will apply the catch and throw method which includes catching them with an open container upside down and leaving them far away from home.
Q. How to get rid of spiders behind the refrigerator?
- The gap between the wall and the refrigerator must be maintained for easy access. A periodic inspection will allow you to get rid of spiders behind the refrigerator.
