Although spiders can be helpful predators, their presence indoors can concern homeowners. While it may be tempting to try and handle infestations using DIY spider treatments, these methods are often ineffective and counterproductive. If spiders are taking over your home, it's time to call a professional. Terminix’s spider control services provide long-term solutions that help remove spiders from your home and prevent them from returning.

Spider on spider web

Are DIY and homemade treatments effective?

Some DIY spider treatments can offer temporary relief but often do not address the root cause of an infestation. Additionally, DIY spider control solutions may not be suitable against all spiders or infestation levels.

Here are some tips to help control spider infestations:

  1. Regular cleaning: Keep your home clean and clutter-free. Pay special attention to corners, closets, and other dark, undisturbed areas where spiders may hide.

  2. Reduce food sources: Spiders prey on insects. Reducing other pests in your home can help deter spiders.

  3. Seal entry points: Seal cracks, gaps, and openings around windows, doors, and foundations.

  4. Outdoor maintenance: Keep vegetation trimmed and remove debris around your home's exterior to help minimize outdoor habitats for spiders.

  5. Vacuum regularly: Vacuuming can help remove spiders, webs, and eggs from your home.

Spider crawling on the floor

Essential oils as spider repellent

Essential oil sprays, such as peppermint and tea tree oil, are often promoted as natural spider repellents due to their strong scents. However, they’re not very effective. Spiders may become accustomed to the smell, and the oils evaporate quickly.

Vinegar

Vinegar is said to be an effective spider repellent due to its acidic nature and strong odor. It is typically mixed with water in equal parts and sprayed in areas where spiders are present or likely to enter, such as windowsills, doorways, and corners. While vinegar may deter spiders temporarily, it is ineffective as a long-term spider control solution.

Borax

Borax is often recommended for DIY spider control because it can disrupt spiders' nervous systems and dehydrate their bodies. However, this method is ineffective because the spiders must eat the borax, and they typically will not. Borax should be used with caution, especially in homes with children or pets, as ingesting it can be harmful.

DIY spider-repelling sprays

Garlic sprays and dish soap solutions are often suggested as DIY spider repellents, but their effectiveness is limited. Garlic's strong odor might temporarily deter some spiders, while dish soap solutions can potentially harm them by breaking down their exoskeletons. While these DIY sprays may provide some temporary relief, they are not long-term solutions for spider control and do not address underlying infestation issues.

Spider traps

Spider traps can capture spiders by luring them with bait, or they trap them on adhesive surfaces. They can help reduce spider populations slightly when strategically placed in areas where spiders are likely to travel or hide. Their effectiveness varies depending on the type of bait used, placement, and the spider species present. While spider traps can help you determine that spiders are present, they do not address the root causes of infestations.

Diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) can damage a bug’s exoskeleton, causing it to dehydrate and die. While DE is often recommended as a natural pest control option, its effectiveness on spiders is limited. Spiders essentially walk on their tip toes so their body doesn’t come in contact with the dust enough to cause any harm. If you try this DIY method, use food-grade DE and follow safety precautions when applying it, as inhaling the dust can irritate the lungs.

Cedar, chestnuts, and other scents

Spiders are believed to dislike certain scents, including cedar, chestnuts, citrus, and peppermint. While these scents may act as natural spider repellents, their effectiveness is not well-established, and results may vary depending on factors such as the spider species and the scent concentration. Some scents may help temporarily repel spiders, but they do not address the cause of infestations or provide long-term control.

Safety tips for dealing with venomous spiders

When dealing with venomous spiders, familiarize yourself with the characteristics of ones commonly found in your area. Common species include the black widow and brown recluse. These two spiders have distinct markings. A black widow spider can usually be identified by its red markings, but not all black widows will have it. Brown recluses, also known as fiddle-back spiders, have a violin-shaped mark on their cephalothorax.

Brown recluse and black widow spider

Always wear long sleeves, gloves, and closed-toe shoes when handling items in areas where venomous spiders may be present, such as basements, attics, or garages. If you suspect venomous spiders are present or are unsure how to handle them safely, contact a pest control professional for assistance.

Preventing spiders from entering your home

To help prevent spiders from entering your home:

  • Seal cracks and block entry points where spiders can gain access

  • Install door sweeps to seal gaps under doors

  • Add screens on windows and doors to prevent spiders from entering

  • Regularly clean your home

  • Monitor your home for signs of spider activity and address any issues promptly to prevent infestations from developing.

When to call for professional spider help

If you frequently notice signs of spider activity or see live spiders around your home, it's time to call a professional. Terminix provides spider control solutions that address the root cause of infestations and help prevent infestations from recurring.

Looking for protection all year long from spiders? Our ongoing pest control plan, PestFree365, provides protection against 25 common household pests, including common house spiders.1 Our PestFree365+ plan provides protection against those 25 pests plus an additional 14 pests that may require specialized treatments and can be costly to eliminate, including black widow and brown recluse spiders. 2

1Coverage includes: "House" Ants, Bird Mites, Indoor Ticks, Cockroaches, Carpet Beetles, Fabric Moths, Overwintering Insects, Ground Beetles, Centipedes, Crickets, Earwigs, Firebrats, Millipedes, Clover Mites, Pillbugs/Sowbugs, Psocids, Scorpions, Silverfish, Paper Wasps, Springtails, Spiders, Stored Product Beetles, Stored Product Moths, Mice, and Rats.

2Coverage includes: Black Widow Spiders, Brown Recluse Spiders, Voles (interior only), Bed Bugs, Fleas (interior only), Bumble Bees, Carpenter Bees, Solitary Ground Bees, Yellowjackets, Hornets, Baldfaced Hornets, Crazy Ants, Carpenter Ants, and Fire Ants.

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