How can we safely exterminate spiders? Should we even want to, and if so, what are the best practices to do just that?
With a little research, I have found that there are more than 45,000 species of spiders spanning the globe – a little over 4,000 species in the United States alone. Within the United States there are only two spiders that can inflict severe harm to human beings – the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider.
That being said, many people, simply are very skittish of the creature, and nobody really wants to live in a house overrun by spiders. For those reasons, I have decided to dig a bit deeper and discuss in this article various ways to exterminate spiders living in your house and how to best prevent a return.
Are Spiders Actually Beneficial?
So, are spiders beneficial to a household, and if so, how exactly?
The answer is an astounding yes. House spiders actually consume many common insects, such as beetles, flies, moths, earwigs, roaches and mosquitoes. Many consider these nuisance pests. Spiders will even consume other spiders when they come across one another. Want evidence of their pest control ability? Next time you see a spider web in the corner of your basement, garage or shed, go ahead and take a peek, and you will most likely see number of creatures that have been caught. You can even look below the web to see how active this particular spider has been. Many times the remains of their prey will be dropped below.
Also, because of their hunting prowess, they can also help curve the potential spread of disease. Many of their prey, such as mosquitoes and cockroaches, are known to carry and transmit disease to humans.
Phobia of Spiders
Despite both their hunting prowess against other more nuisance creatures and also their tendency to avoid human contact, many still have a fear of spiders and even their webs.
While many simply dislike spiders or any other insects crawling or flying around in their homes, arachnophobia pertains to a rather extreme fear of spiders. This fear is a rather extreme and overwhelming sensation that may have one feeling as if a severe threat lingers. Arachnophobia can actually be fairly debilitating for many.
Common symptoms of arachnophobia are:
- faintness or dizziness
- nausea
- shortness of breath
- upset stomach
- stressful perspiration
- uncomfortable trembling
- increased heart rate
What Attracts Spiders to Your Home?
So we discussed above both the benefits of having a few spiders in your home, as well as the intense fear some have of spiders but what attracts spiders to your home anyway?
There are some spiders who prefer the moisture found in some areas of your home such as basements and crawl spaces. On the other end of the spectrum, there are other spiders who prefer drier areas such as air vents and attics. Regardless all spiders prefer quieter areas of your home and places that may have more clutter than others. There spiders will hide and find food. And your home can often offer all of the following – a place to hide, an ideal temperature and steady weather conditions.
Spiders are also constantly exploring for food. If an area of your home has an influx of insects, more than likely you will find a spider in that area.
How to Exterminate Spiders
Below we will discuss various ways to exterminate spiders from your home. This will include scents that spiders dislike, natural products to use as well as manufactured products.
Smells Spiders Dislike
As far as scents that spiders dislike, there are a few. Spiders tend to despise the smell of citrus. Many homeowners rub lemon peels around windows and doors to keep spiders from entering.
Peppermint oil is another commonly used repellent for spiders and other insects including ants, roaches and flies. One theory as to why spiders dislike peppermint oil is that they use their legs in order to smell and taste. Yes, a little fact about spiders – they do in fact have sensory organs on their legs. For this reason they will avoid areas that are saturated with peppermint oil. Below are a couple peppermint oil sprays from available on Amazon.com.
| Peppermint Oil Spray – By: Natural Oust | Home Pest Control Spray Repellent – By: Colton’s Natural |
Other scents that have been known to repel spiders are tea tree oil, cinnamon, citronella, lavender and eucalyptus.
Natural Products Used to Eliminate Spiders
One common product already found in most homes that can keep spiders at bay is vinegar. Already found in the kitchens of most homes, vinegar will both exterminate existing spiders as well as make sure new ones stay away. Vinegar is made up of acetic acid which will burn the spider when it comes in contact with it. Vinegar will also keep new spiders from frequenting your home.
To make your own vinegar spider repellent, in a spray bottle, simply mix a cup of vinegar to 2 cups of warm water. Afterwards, spray windowsills and doorways. You may wish to spray every week to keep spiders away.
Another natural product that can eliminate spiders is diatomaceous earth.
Diatomaceous Earth is a light powder that is composed of the fossilized remains of diatoms (a type of algae). When non-flying insects such as ants, silverfish and spiders come in contact with the substance, the diatomaceous earth will damage their external coating and causes them to squander moisture and expire.
Diatomaceous earth can be purchased in most hardware stores or online as well. Below are a few products that can be purchased on Amazon.com.
| HARRIS Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer – By Harris | Perma-Guard Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth – By: Perma-Guard Inc. |
| Diatomaceous Earth – 100% Natural Food Grade -By: EasyGoProducts | Diatomaceous Earth, Ready to Use Crawling Bug/Roach Killer – By: Bonide |
Other Products Used to Exterminate Spiders
Of course when looking for places where spiders may frequent, an obvious place would be near their webs. To best eliminate their webs and any spiders present in or around the web, simply use a duster to wipe the web away as well as any spider eggs found. Another solution often used is Web Out Cobweb Eliminator by Nisus. This product contains thyme oil, lemongrass oil, citronella and sodium lauryl sulfite. Web out will destroy the spider eggs and even exterminate spiders fairly quickly. Links to Amazon.com.
| Web Out Cobweb Eliminator – By: Nisus |
Insecticides are often used as well. Miss Muffet’s Revenge Spider Killer is an indoor and outdoor insecticide designed to both exterminate spiders as well as repel future spiders from visiting. One application is said to last up to one year. Links provided by Amazon.com.
| Miss Muffet’s Revenge Spider Killer – By: Wet and Forget |
Another effective spray killer comes from Terro. This spray offers long lasting residual control up to 12 weeks. Links below to Amazon.com.
| Spider Killer Spray – By: Terro |
Another way to exterminate spiders and often used for the fore mentioned black widow and brown recluse spider is a glue trap. The Rescue Spider Trap for instance, uses four separate entrances and hundreds of glue dots to allow the spiders to get caught deeper in the trap, catching more spiders than you would if trapped along the edges of the trap. Links to Amazon.com.
| Spider Traps – By: Rescue |
Residential Spider Kit
Do-Your-Own Pest Control offers a residential spider kit. This has been highly effective to remove spiders in and around your home. Not only does the kit effectively eliminate spiders, but it is also kills various insects (even scorpions). Simply utilize 1 ounce of the Onslaught Fast Cap insecticide with 1 gallon of water, and spray the foundation of your house as well as spots where you have seen spiders. The PT 211L portion of the bundle can be used in the cracks and crevice that the Onslaught Fast Cap mixture can not reach effectively. Below link is provided by Do-You-Own Pest Control.
| Residential Spider Kit |
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Diminish the Chance of Spiders Returning to Your Home
Once you feel the number of spiders in your home are in control, you can use preventative actions to make sure more spiders do not follow suit and enter your home. Below is a short list of strategies to implement.
- Try to minimize the spider’s food sources (other insects) within your home.
- Use a spray around the perimeter of your home to deter spiders from entering.
- Seal off any cracks or entry points (windows/doors) to your home.
- Keep a clutter free environment.
Conclusion
Most if not all homes have spiders present inside. Odds are overwhelmingly against eliminating all spiders from your home. However, by eliminating their food sources and entrances to your home, and by dealing with the house spiders already inside, you can minimize the presence of spiders in your home.
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