How to Get Rid of Cellar Spiders in Your California Home
Ever wondered what’s lurking in your basement corners? Cellar spiders might be the answer. These creatures with thin legs and small bodies thrive in dark and damp environments.
Simple strategies, such as sealing gaps and reducing moisture, will help prevent these spiders from taking over your space. Keep reading to discover practical tips to maintain a spider-free home.
Key Takeaways
- Spider webs and sealed gaps around doors and windows keep cellar spiders from making webs and returning inside.
- Lower indoor humidity and reduce outdoor lights near entry points to help keep cellar spiders out of your home.
- Regular checks and cleanups in basements, attics, and closets reduce cellar spider hiding spots and help keep them away.
- Pest control services offer effective solutions if cellar spiders keep returning and become a problem in your home.
How to Remove Cellar Spiders from Your California Home
While cellar spiders are not known to bite humans, they can still become a nuisance if left unchecked. To remove them from your California home, focus on targeted actions that disrupt their activity.
Here’s how to start tackling these common spider species in California:
1. Safely Remove Webs and Egg Sacs Indoors
Efficient removal of webs and egg sacs disrupts populations and reduces new spiderlings. Remove the delicate webs and egg sacs from affected areas using a broom or vacuum with a nozzle attachment.
For safety, gloves can be worn while handling webs to avoid potential contact with spiders. Remember that cellar spider webs found indoors might signal wider infestations in or near the property.
2. Seal Cracks and Gaps in Walls and Windows
Sealing entry points in your home limits access for cellar spiders, brown recluse spiders, and black widow spiders. Use materials such as caulk or weather stripping to close gaps effectively.
Focus on structural areas like wall cracks, crevices, door frames, and attic vents. Regularly check the sealant to ensure it remains intact, preventing new entry points over time.
3. Control Humidity Levels in Your Home
Cellar spiders thrive in high humidity, making moisture control vital. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas like basements, and repair any leaky pipes to reduce moisture.
Ventilate bathrooms and kitchens with exhaust fans to decrease humidity. Mold and mildew can also attract spiders, so addressing these pest problems can help control spider presence.
4. Reduce Outdoor Lighting Near Entry Points
Spiders, including cellar spiders, are attracted to lights that draw their prey, like flies and insects. To lessen spider activity, reduce exterior lighting near doors, windows, and entry points.
Use motion-activated lights or lower-impact lighting alternatives to reduce attraction. Consider replacing traditional bulbs with yellow “bug” lights.
5. Use Natural Repellents in Common Spider Spots
Besides bug sprays that kill spiders, DIY natural repellents can keep them away. Peppermint oil or vinegar is popular—spiders dislike its strong scent.
Mix a few drops of these repellents with water in a spray bottle to apply. Spray areas where spiders are commonly seen.
You might also try placing chestnuts in these spots, as they’re known to have a similar repelling effect.
How to Prevent to Keep Cellar Spiders Away from Your California Home
Preventing spider problems from making themselves at home starts with a few simple strategies. By focusing on various strategies, you can reduce the likelihood of a cellar spider infestation.
As homeowners, here’s what you can do to keep your home spider-free.
Inspect Common Spider Hideouts
Cellar spiders, or daddy long legs spiders, prefer secluded and dark corners of rooms. Regularly inspect common hiding spots such as basements, attics, and closets. Check wall and ceiling corners where cobwebs accumulate. Look behind furniture, crawl spaces, and other undisturbed areas to keep them under control.
Declutter Storage Areas
A clutter-free environment reduces hiding spots for cellar spiders and their food sources. Regularly clean spaces like basements, attics, closets, and garages to discourage spider infestations. A tidy storage area makes it harder for spiders to establish themselves and helps maintain a spider-free home.
Trim Vegetation Around Your House
Landscaping and maintenance are important in preventing cellar spiders from entering a home. Vegetation that touches the house provides a pathway for these house spiders. Regularly trim any bushes, trees, or plants close to the building to prevent such pests. This practice helps reduce spider migration into living spaces.
Reinforce Screens on Windows and Vents
Windows and vents are common entry points for cellar spiders and other pests. Reinforcing screens provides a simple yet effective barrier to keep spiders out. A well-fitted screen can also block pests like harvestmen and cockroaches from slipping through. Use fine mesh screens to prevent even small arachnids from entering.
When to Call Professional Spider Control Services
When cellar spiders or other unwelcome arachnids take over, Simple Pest Management is here to help. Our pest control services can provide thorough spider control solutions tailored to your home’s needs. From bug sprays to specialized treatments for persistent spider hotspots, we have you covered.
