What is the best way to get rid of spiders?

Question

I find these little critters come into my home every time spring rolls around. I vaccume them up, step on them.. but what kind of pesticide can I use to get rid of them for a long time?

Answer 1

Steps to Non-Toxic Spider Control:

* Individual spiders can be removed from indoor areas by placing a jar over them and slipping a piece of paper under the jar that then seals off the opening of the jar when it is lifted up.
* Regular vacuuming or sweeping of windows, corners of rooms, storage areas, basements, and other seldomly used areas helps remove spiders and their webs. Vacuuming spiders can be an effective control technique because their soft bodies usually do not survive this process. Indoors, a web on which dust has gathered is an old web that is no longer being used by a spider.
* To prevent spiders from coming indoors, seal cracks in the foundation and other parts of the structure and gaps around windows and doors. Good screening not only will keep out many spiders but also will discourage them by keeping out insects that they must have for food.
* Indoors, keep clutter to a minimum, place boxes off the floor and away from walls to help reduce their usefulness as a harborage for spiders. Sealing the boxes with tape will prevent spiders from taking up residence within. Clean up clutter in garages, sheds, basements, and other storage areas. Be sure to wear gloves to avoid accidental bites.
* Outdoors, eliminate places for spiders to hide and build their webs by keeping the area next to the foundation free of trash, leaf litter, heavy vegetation, and other accumulations of materials. Trimming plant growth away from the house and other structures will discourage spiders from first taking up residence near the structure and then moving indoors.

Osage orange or hedge apples:

In Iowa State University studies, they have not been proven to repel spiders or insects in houses or other buildings. However, they extracted several compounds from the osage orange that may have repellent properties. The benefit from osage orange may be better described as repellent to insects, thereby by not having any prey around (the insects), the spiders will leave or starve. Current Studies are underway to confirm the repellent properties of compounds from the plants that may lead to the development of effective natural repellents. Hedgeapples are very popular as a spider and insect repellent in the midwest, where they grow. So I would encourage giving hedge apples a try, they obviously work for some people. See: www.hedgeapple.com

A Natural Spider Spray Formula for inside the house:

o Dr Bronners Peppermint or Lavender Soap, or any other natural soap.
o 1 ounce of Neem oil
o You can also add 1 to 5 drops of any of these Essential Plant Oils (depending on your preference) to 1 quart of water:

Catnip Oil, Citronella Oil, Lavender Oil, Cinnamon Oil, Peppermint Oil, Citrus Oil, Tea Tree Oil, or other essential oils.

Add 5 tablespoons of the soap per quart water. Add one ounce of the Neem oil to the water which you have added the soap and label it. Shake well and spray inside house where spiders are seen. Test for strength. May be done as often as needed. This is not a long term solution but will provide you immediate help. Oils may stain some fabrics or light colored furnishings, test first.

Spray outside the house:
Use the same formula to spray the foundation, eaves and soffits, and the areas around doors, windows and crawls space, or attic vents, or any area where you see spiders congregating. You can also use any citrus based cleaner like Citra Solv at 1 oz per quart water. Spray around the outside of the house or where spiders congregate.

Spiders are actually quite beneficial and we should try to get used to them.

References to product brand names in this article does not imply endorsement. IPM of Alaska is not a contractual applicator of pesticides, nor do we recommend the use of pesticides. Pesticides listed in this article do not imply a recommendation by IPM of Alaska. The user bears sole responsibility for correct product use.

Answer 2

I use foggers in my home when the spiders start coming in. They have always worked very well. Be sure to read and follow the directions on the can!! Make sure that all pets are out of the home and do not re enter the home until the instructions say it's safe, then open windows and air out well. There usually is not a problem with odor afterwards. I have also done this in my garage that is attached to my home. I leave my home even when I fog the garage, you don't know how much could seep through the door.

Answer 3

Don't get rid of them....they eat all the bad insects that you really don't want in your house.

Answer 4

i've HEARD (i'm not sure but) that horse chestnuts (conkers) are supose to