How to Get Rid of Spiders in the Basement
Basement spiders are common in homes throughout Pennsylvania.
These pests don’t like human contact, so the basement is a perfect place for them to set up their web.
When the population gets too large to support all of the spiders, some will move to the floors above, entering bedrooms and living rooms.
So, when you start to see them crawling around, it’s best to use the following methods or products to get rid of these basement spiders and keep them away.
What Attracts Spiders in My House?
The key to keeping spiders out is to make your home spider-unfriendly.
Once it gets cold outside, spiders often enter a warm home through cracks in the foundation. Spiders can survive in colder temperatures, but they need a warm place to remain active.
Basements provide a dark, safe, sheltered area with plenty of insects to eat. In addition, spiders need water to survive, and moisture is often found in basements.
To keep spiders out of your basement, you must seal up all the cracks and crevices with caulk or expanding foam.
Some spiders are attracted to a house’s light, which is why they may be found near windows or doors inside a house.
Want to get spiders out of your house?
Plants that Repel Spiders
There are many plants that spiders in Pennsylvania avoid. Certain plants will keep spiders out of the house while others will repel them from your yard.
Spider populations are highest in the late summer and early fall, so it’s important to plant these plants in the spring to help reduce the spider population.
Herbs
Herbs can be used both for food and decoration, but the scent from these herbs can also deter spiders:
- Lavender
- Dill
- Basil
- Lemon Balm
- Chives
- Mint
- Garlic
Planting any of these near your house or yard will help keep spiders away. It helps to mix the different types of herbs so that if one lags, the others can do the job until they all become fully grown.
Ornamental Plants
Ornamental plants that work well to keep spiders out of the house include marigolds, geraniums, chrysanthemums, and petunias.
How to Get Rid of Spiders in House Naturally with Essential Oils
Fortunately, there are some natural ways to get rid of spiders without resorting to pesticides.
The use of essential oils for pest control is a centuries-old practice that is still used today.
Some of the best essential oils for getting rid of your basement spiders include:
- Cedar oil
- Cinnamon oil
- Peppermint oil
At Green Giant Pest Control, we have tested many natural spider control products (along with testing for many other types of insects).
We do use different products, depending on the insect. But for spiders, cedar and cinnamon oil win hands down!
The downside of essential oils is that the treatments don’t last very long. Most traditional insecticides last longer. This only means that natural oil treatments need to be performed more often.
Using Peppermint Oil to Get Rid of Spiders
Peppermint oil is pretty popular, and you can give it a try. Simply apply a few drops on each cotton ball and place them around your home in areas where spiders are commonly found.
You can also add a few drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle filled with water and use it to spray areas where spiders are present.
An added benefit is that peppermint oil also gets rid of ants!
Home Remedies To Keep Spiders Out of Your Home
Eliminate the Food Source
If there are insects in your basement, the spiders will be drawn to them. So, if you exterminate the other insects, the spiders will have to find a new restaurant!
Clutter
Make sure your basement is clean and free of clutter. Dispose of any cardboard boxes or newspapers lying around and vacuum regularly.
The more you can clean up, the easier it will be to find the spiders and their eggs.
Soap, Water, and Vinegar
Another way to naturally deter spiders is to brew up some homemade spider repellent!
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Then add a few drops of dish soap.
The white vinegar acts as a natural spider deterrent, and the soap will help to break down their protective coating so that they will dehydrate and die.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a natural spider control product made from the fossilized remains of algae.
The particles of diatomaceous earth are a powder that is sharp and jagged to insects. Handling the powder can irritate a person’s skin, so be sure to wear gloves when using it.
When spiders come into contact with the diatomaceous earth, the powder-like particles cut through their exoskeleton and kill the spiders.
To use diatomaceous earth, just sprinkle some around the perimeter of your basement, and the spiders will stay away.
You can purchase diatomaceous earth online or at your local hardware store.
Spider Traps
Spider traps come in different designs, but they all use a glue board to catch the spiders.
Place the traps in areas where you’ve seen spiders or in areas where they are likely to be.
Check the traps regularly and dispose of the spiders that were caught!
If you use an insecticide, be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
CTA: If you have a lot of spiders in your basement, contact us to get rid of them.
Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
These pest repellers emit high-frequency sound waves that are intended to bother insects and drive them away.
The pitch of the sound waves is too high for humans to hear.
Ultrasonic pest repellers don’t discriminate between good bugs and bad bugs.
In fact, ultrasonic pest repellers may help to reduce the number of spiders in your home by deterring other insects that spiders eat.
The Common Types of Spiders in Southeastern Pennsylvania
Here’s a list of the most common spiders our pest control technicians encounter:
Wolf Spiders
These large spiders don’t build webs to catch prey. Instead, they actively chase and pounce on their prey, which primarily consists of insects.
They’re known for their excellent eyesight and the ability to carry their egg sacs attached to their spinnerets.
Grass Spiders
Often found in grassy areas, they’re known for the funnel-shaped webs they construct close to the ground. They’ll wait at the narrow end of the funnel for prey to become entangled
Woodlouse Hunters
As the name suggests, they primarily prey on woodlice, which are also known as pill bugs or sow bugs.
They don’t build webs but actively hunt their prey in dark and damp environments, like under logs or rocks.
Jumping Spiders
They’re known for their remarkable vision, agility, and jumping abilities. They actively stalk and pounce on their prey, utilizing their powerful legs to leap considerable distances.
Cellar Spiders
They’re characterized by their long, slender legs and small bodies. Cellar spiders are often found in dark and damp environments like basements, cellars, and crawl spaces. They build irregular and tangled webs in corners and wait for small insects to get caught.
Daddy Long Legs
Daddy long legs, or harvestmen, are not true spiders, but they are arachnids and are often confused with cellar spiders.
They have long, thin legs and a small, oval-shaped body. Usually found in damp environments (under rocks, logs, or vegetation), they are primarily scavengers, feeding on decaying organic matter.
Sac Spiders
They are called “sac spiders” because they construct silken sacs or retreats where they rest during the daytime. While most sac spiders are not aggressive, they can bite if provoked or threatened.
Sac spiders are the most prolific biters. Approximately 90% of our calls for spider bites are for sac spiders.
We rarely see Black Widows and Recluse spiders.
If you’re struggling with a persistent spider problem, our technicians can get rid of spiders in your home and keep them out long-term.