Spider infestations in the home

In general, spiders can be found in dark, secluded areas, both in your home and garden. When trying to get rid of a spider infestation in your home or business, ensure that you wear appropriate protective clothing - like gloves - to prevent falling victim to a spider bite.

Western Exterminator is the expert in spider control. We can identify the type of spider that’s infesting your property and use the latest spider control methods to eliminate these pests. Our technicians are well-versed in spider habits and biology. We can even remove webs and cobwebs in a house and make recommendations on how to minimize spider problems. Call us at 800-937-8398 or contact us online to get started.

Although most species of spider do not pose a health risk, there are some in the western states that Western Exterminator serves that might bite if threatened and some of those can pose health risks.

Causes of a spider infestation

Understanding the reasons behind a spider infestation in the house helps you stop spiders from entering and nesting indoors. Here’s what you should know about what causes spiders to move into your home:

Why do spiders enter homes? 

Spiders usually enter homes looking for two main things: food sources and shelter. As autumn arrives and temperatures drop, spiders become more active, searching for mates and warmer hiding spots. This is why you might notice a spider infestation in basement areas, garages, or darker corners and hard-to-reach areas of your home. This is where there are common entry points, like cracks and crevices. While they don't intend to bite humans, spiders might come indoors because they’ve discovered insects in your house, making it an attractive hunting ground.

What attracts spiders to certain areas?

Spiders are mainly drawn to places where they can easily find prey. If your house has many insects, spiders see it as a perfect spot to catch food. Moisture, clutter, and undisturbed areas also attract spiders, as these places offer hiding spots to safely spin webs and build spider nests. If you have a spider problem in the house, especially in areas like your basement or attic, it often means there’s an insect population nearby.

How long does a spider infestation last?

A house infested with spiders can last from weeks to months, depending on conditions. Typically, spiders become more visible in autumn, and many naturally die off toward winter. But some spiders, like black widows found in states like Arizona and California, may hide through winter and return in spring. Because spiders can lay eggs indoors, if untreated, a spider infestation in the house could continue season after season. Regular pest control treatments are the best way to quickly handle infestations and prevent spiders from returning.

How to identify a spider infestation

Spiders often remain hidden, which can make it hard to spot an infestation until it becomes obvious. Knowing the common signs of a spider problem can help you discover a spider infestation in the house before it grows worse. Here are key things to look out for:

• Look for spider webs - The size and shape of spider webs vary by species. Some are orb-shaped while others are funnel-shaped. Some species of spider, such as the black widow, do not create geometric webs but create messy dens that trap insects in hidden-away areas.
• Some spider species live in burrows rather than webs, while others are free-ranging and take refuge in crevices.
• Some species of spiders are attracted to moist environments. Check your basements, walls, sheds, and other damp locations.
• Other species can be found in places such as attics, the junction of a wall and ceiling, closets, and storage boxes.
• Spiders feed on other insects and prey on ants, flies, woodlice, and other spiders, so where there is a plentiful supply of other insects and food sources, spiders will wait to find their next meal.

Not sure if you’re dealing with an infestation? Just call in Western’s professional spider control experts for a free inspection.

A house infested with spiders

One of the first things you should do if you are concerned you might have a full-on spider infestation in your home is to look around outside. Spiders generally prefer to set up their webs outdoors, where they are more likely to get insect prey to feast upon.

Look for webs in the bushes. If you have hedges and bushes around your home, one of the first signs you could be looking at a spider infestation is a preponderance of webs in the bushes. This could lead to spiders laying eggs that then hatch and spiderlings looking for another place to set up their own webs, which could lead to them inside your home.

Spiders also like to hide, if they can. They are generally shy. They look for a place to build a web where they will be able to catch food: but also stay hidden away from potential predators. They will hide their webs in crawl spaces, basements, and attics. They will look for corners either up high or down low.

Spider eggs

Spider eggs are laid into a silken sac, on average about 100 eggs in each sac, which may be fixed to a surface, hidden in the web, or carried by the female. Signs of the sacs fixed indoors indicate that soon, there will be more spiders around. Once the eggs hatch, hundreds of those spiderlings can come out, crawling all over the walls and getting into the tiniest spaces and cracks. Given the spider’s cannibalistic nature, they try to spread out and away from each other and might end up all over your home and inside.

Are all spiders in your home dangerous?

Not all spiders you find indoors are dangerous. Most common house spiders are harmless and do not bite people. They often try to stay hidden, and biting is usually their last defense. However, some spiders, such as black widows, can be dangerous if they bite. These spiders are often found hiding in dark, quiet places, especially during cooler months. If your house is infested with spiders, it’s best to identify the type of spider to know if there’s a risk. When you're unsure, calling a pest technician is always safest.

How to prevent a spider infestation

Preventing a spider problem in the house is easier than fixing one after it starts. There are several steps you can take to make your home less inviting to spiders:

• Remove clutter: Spiders like to hide in boxes, clothes, and piles of paper. Staying clutter-free and cleaning regularly removes these hiding spots.
• Seal gaps and cracks: Entry points like small cracks around doors, windows, and walls are how spiders get inside. Seal these openings to keep spiders out.
• Limit outdoor lighting: Lights attract insects, and insects attract spiders. Using fewer outdoor lights or insect-resistant bulbs can help.
• Reduce moisture: Fix leaky pipes and dry, damp areas like basements to make your home less appealing to spiders.
• Regular pest control: Regular inspections by a Western Exterminator technician can spot early signs of spiders and their prey before you end up with a spider infestation in the basement or other areas.
• DIY methods: DIY methods, like using peppermint oil to repel spiders, are popular because they seem easy. But these home remedies may not work, and they won’t address the root cause of the issue. Store-bought insecticides may work better, but the best pest control is professional pest control.

Contact Western about spider infestations

At Western Exterminator, we offer expert identification of your invading spider species and provide a professional service to control larger infestations. Western Exterminator technicians will get into the places where spiders and their webs are found, remove them and offer advice on how to prevent a return. 

For professional help with a spider infestation, call us today at 800-937-8398 or contact us online.

Frequently asked questions