Spiders have a way of tapping into our fears and making us a bit crazy. A spider in the house is like a snake in many ways. Creepy, crawly, and dangerous in most people’s minds. Ironically, there are only a couple of truly dangerous spiders found in the United States. The vast majority of eight legged critters in the house are totally harmless. Still, they can expand in number quicker than you might think, and nobody wants a house covered in arachnids. Here is how to get rid of them.

Most spider infestations are largely due to the homeowner leaving the door open…literally. Spiders enter our homes via any crack, crevice, or opening they can slink through. Step one to get rid of them is to eliminate entry points for getting any more spiders. Caulk up those cracks, and fill in those holes outside. Take the time to properly seal doors and windows. Basements are a very common entry point for the spiders. Make sure there are no openings for the critters to get into.

Next you will want to eliminate the spiders that are already inside. This means cleaning up, first and foremost. Get rid of clutter, garbage, and any junk that is laying around. Eliminate any webs you come into contact with, though first be sure that no critters are waiting on you. Use a broom or other long handled object to clear webbing and spray it first before doing so. Use a good spider killer that should kill on contact. Also, lay down some glue traps throughout the house along the walls, and in the hiding spots and crevices. Spiders like to stay out of sight, so place the traps in spots where the spiders might hide. Placing the spider traps along the walls is good because that is where most spiders like to stay when they move around.

These steps are generally enough to eliminate a common problem with house spiders. Some infestations may require professional exterminators. If you are dealing with brown recluses, or black widows, it is highly advisable that you get a professional to do the exterminating. These spiders are notoriously difficult to get rid of, and the bites are potentially dangerous. It is not worth risking a bite or becoming heavily infested.

Some other things you can do to help with a spider problem in the house are included below:

1. If you have a woodpile, keep it away from the house. This is a magnet for spiders of all types. (snakes as well)

2. If you hang electric bug killers, do not put them on your porch. Many people do not realize that this attracts the flying insects to your house and not away from it. In turn, the spiders follow as they have a penchant for eating these insects. Put bug killers out in the yard, and draw the insects away from your residence. This will also draw away the spiders.

3. Keep all clothing, shoes, and other articles that are worn commonly in air tight containers when being stored. Spiders love to hide in clothing and shoes. Make it impossible to do so.

4. Do not put a garden near your house. If you do, then you are literally welcoming all types of critters in the back door. Keep the garden out and away from the home itself.

5. Remember that cleanliness is the best defense. If you have bugs in your home, then you will likely have spiders too. They are simple creatures in that way. They go where there is food to eat. If you give them no food, they will go someplace else.

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