How to Get Rid of Spiders in Your House

Fall is when spiders show up indoors in New Jersey. Penn State Extension notes that many native spiders come into homes, mostly in autumn. The good news: almost all of them are harmless, and a few simple habits will cut down how many you see.

Common spiders in New Jersey homes

Not sure if what you found is a black widow? Read black house spider or black widow? The short version: no red hourglass underneath means it's very likely not a widow.

What about brown recluses? Penn State says they're rarely found in Pennsylvania, aren't native there, and can't survive the climate outside a heated building. A brown spider in your basement is almost certainly something else.

How to get rid of spiders in your house

1. Vacuum, don't spray. Penn State recommends vacuuming spiders and webs from behind furniture, under tables and in wall and ceiling corners. It also notes that most insecticide sprays do little to control spiders or keep them out. Vacuum egg sacs too, and empty the vacuum outside.

2. Cut the clutter. Spiders like stored items that don't get moved. Use sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes in basements, garages and closets, and move things around now and then.

3. Seal the way in. Put weather stripping and door sweeps on exterior doors, fix torn window screens, and caulk gaps around windows, pipes and wires.

4. Change the outdoor lights. Bright lights draw insects, and spiders follow the food. Switch porch and garage lights to yellow bug lights, or turn them off when you don't need them.

5. Clean up around the foundation. Pull mulch, firewood, leaves and dense plants a foot or two away from the house. That's where spiders and the insects they eat live.

6. Deal with the other bugs. A house with a lot of spiders usually has a lot of something for them to eat, like crickets, flies or pill bugs. Fix that and the spiders thin out.

Do spiders come inside for the winter?

Some do, but many of the spiders you see in fall were already living in the house, in basements, wall voids and storage areas. Fall is mating season for many species, so males wander more and you notice them. That's why it can feel like a sudden invasion in September and October.

When to call

If you're seeing a lot of spiders, find webs in every corner no matter how often you clean, or think you've found a black widow, we can help. Our spider control service focuses on the outside of the house, where spiders and their food come from, along with the entry points. Call (732) 527-5770.

Common questions

What is the fastest way to get rid of spiders in the house? Vacuum the spiders, webs and egg sacs, then seal gaps around doors and windows so more don't come in.

Are house spiders in New Jersey dangerous? Almost never. The only medically important spider here is the black widow, which usually stays outdoors or in sheds, garages and crawl spaces.

Why am I seeing more spiders in the fall? Many spiders come indoors in autumn, and males of many species wander looking for mates.

Do spider sprays work? Penn State notes that most insecticide sprays do little to control spiders or keep them out. Physical removal and sealing work better.