What is the best way to get rid of spiders in the house?
Reduce food and hiding spots
Spiders come inside to hunt. If you control ants, flies, and other bugs, spiders will have less reason to stay. Fix leaky pipes, keep counters clean, and store food in sealed containers. Vacuum regularly, especially in corners, under furniture, and along baseboards.
Declutter areas like basements, garages, and closets. Spiders hide in cardboard boxes, stacks of paper, and old clothes. Use plastic storage bins instead of cardboard, and shake out shoes or gardening gloves before putting them on.
- Control other insects (ants, flies, gnats)
- Vacuum corners, baseboards, and under furniture
- Declutter with plastic bins, not cardboard
- Fix leaks and keep areas dry
Seal entry points and remove webs
Check for gaps around windows, doors, and utility lines. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal cracks. Install door sweeps. Repair torn window screens. Spiders can squeeze through very small openings.
Use a vacuum with a hose attachment to remove webs, egg sacs, and spiders. Empty the vacuum bag or canister outside immediately. For egg sacs, crush them or seal them in a plastic bag before discarding. Repeat weekly until you see fewer spiders.
- Caulk cracks around windows and doors
- Install door sweeps and repair screens
- Vacuum webs and egg sacs (empty outside)
- Check behind furniture and in corners
When to use other methods
Sticky traps placed along walls can catch wandering spiders. Diatomaceous earth (food-grade) dusted in cracks may help, but it's not a quick fix. Insecticides are rarely needed and can kill beneficial spiders that eat worse pests.
If you have a dangerous species like black widows or brown recluses, call a pest control professional. For common house spiders, most are harmless and actually help control insects. If you prefer not to kill them, catch and release them outside.
- Sticky traps along baseboards
- Food-grade DE in cracks (slow)
- Avoid broad-spectrum sprays
- Call a pro for venomous species
Common mistakes
- Spraying insecticides everywhere—this kills helpful spiders and may scatter others.
- Ignoring the insect food source, so new spiders keep moving in.
- Assuming all spiders are dangerous; most house spiders are harmless.
