Figuring out how to keep spiders out of your house for good doesn’t require harsh chemicals or expensive treatments. Most spider problems come down to easy entry points, available food sources, and attractive hiding spots. Fix these issues, and spiders will look elsewhere for a home.
A Riverside pest control company sees spider complaints spike every fall when these pests move indoors seeking warmth. The good news is that simple prevention methods work better than constantly killing the spiders you see. This guide shows you how to make your home unwelcoming to eight-legged visitors.
Why Spiders Enter Your Home
Spiders don’t come inside to bother you. They follow food, shelter, and mates.
Food: Spiders eat insects. If your home has flies, mosquitoes, ants, or other bugs, spiders will follow. More bugs mean more spiders.
Shelter: As temperatures drop, spiders seek warm, protected spaces. Your home offers consistent temperatures and plenty of hiding spots.
Mates: During mating season, male spiders wander in search of females. This increases indoor sightings even in clean homes.
Moisture: Some species prefer damp areas like basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces.
Understanding what attracts spiders helps you address the root causes, not just the symptoms.
11 Ways to Keep Spiders Out of Your House
1. Seal Entry Points
Spiders squeeze through surprisingly small gaps. A thorough seal-up keeps most of them outside.
Check these areas:
- Gaps around windows and doors
- Cracks in the foundation
- Holes where pipes and wires enter
- Torn window screens
- Gaps under doors
- Vents without proper covers
- Spaces around the garage door
Use these materials:
- Caulk for small cracks and gaps
- Weatherstripping for doors and windows
- Door sweeps for exterior doors
- Hardware cloth for vents
- Screen patch kits for window repairs
2. Install or Repair Screens
Window screens do more than keep out flies. They block spiders from entering through open windows.
Screen maintenance tips:
- Check all screens for holes or tears
- Repair small holes with screen patch kits
- Replace screens with significant damage
- Make sure screens fit tightly in frames
- Add screens to any windows that lack them
3. Reduce Outdoor Lighting
Lights attract insects. Insects attract spiders. Reducing outdoor lighting near entry points breaks this chain.
Lighting changes that help:
- Switch to yellow or sodium vapor bulbs (less attractive to bugs)
- Move lights away from doors and windows
- Use motion-activated lights instead of always-on fixtures
- Close blinds at night to reduce light escaping from inside
- Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights
4. Clear Vegetation Away from Your Home
Plants, shrubs, and debris near your foundation give spiders easy access to your walls and eventual entry points.
Yard maintenance for spider prevention:
- Trim bushes and shrubs at least a foot from exterior walls
- Remove ivy and climbing plants from your home’s exterior
- Keep grass cut short near the foundation
- Clear leaf piles and garden debris
- Move firewood at least 20 feet from the house
- Remove rock piles and landscape timbers near the foundation
5. Eliminate Clutter Inside
Spiders love undisturbed spaces. Clutter provides perfect hiding spots and makes it hard to spot webs.
Decluttering priorities:
- Closets and storage areas
- Basements and attics
- Garages and sheds
- Under beds and furniture
- Behind appliances
- Cardboard boxes (switch to plastic bins with lids)
Regular cleaning and organization remove spider habitats and make infestations easier to spot early.
6. Clean Regularly
Consistent cleaning removes webs, egg sacs, and the insects spiders feed on.
Focus on these tasks:
- Vacuum corners, ceilings, and baseboards weekly
- Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Clean behind furniture and appliances monthly
- Remove cobwebs as soon as you see them
- Vacuum under beds and in closets
- Wipe down window sills and door frames
Vacuuming is especially effective because it removes spiders, webs, and egg sacs all at once.
7. Reduce Indoor Humidity
Many spider species prefer damp environments. Controlling moisture makes your home less appealing.
Humidity control methods:
- Use dehumidifiers in basements and crawl spaces
- Fix leaky pipes and faucets promptly
- Run bathroom fans during and after showers
- Ensure proper ventilation in attics
- Check for condensation around windows
- Keep indoor humidity below 50%
8. Use Natural Spider Repellents
Certain scents drive spiders away without toxic chemicals. These work best as a supplement to other prevention methods.
Peppermint oil: Mix 15-20 drops with water in a spray bottle. Apply to entry points, corners, and window frames. Reapply weekly.
Vinegar: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Spray in corners and cracks. The smell fades quickly but the residue remains effective.
Citrus: Rub lemon or orange peels along window sills and doorways. Replace when dried out.
Cedar: Place cedar blocks or chips in closets, storage areas, and basements.
Eucalyptus: Use eucalyptus oil the same way as peppermint. Some people find the scent more pleasant.
9. Eliminate Their Food Source
No bugs means no spiders. Reducing the insect population inside your home removes the spider’s reason to stay.
Insect reduction strategies:
- Keep food sealed and stored properly
- Take out garbage regularly
- Clean up crumbs and spills immediately
- Fix screens to keep flying insects out
- Address any ant or fly problems promptly
- Use yellow bulbs in outdoor fixtures
When the food supply disappears, spiders move on to better hunting grounds.
10. Remove Webs Promptly
Leaving webs in place signals to spiders that your home is a safe habitat. Regular removal discourages them from settling in.
Web removal tips:
- Use a vacuum with a hose attachment for high corners
- Check behind furniture and in closets
- Remove outdoor webs near entry points
- Destroy egg sacs when you find them (they look like small cotton balls)
- Be consistent—check weekly
Some spiders rebuild webs quickly, but persistent removal eventually drives them elsewhere.
11. Use Sticky Traps for Monitoring
Glue traps help you track spider activity and catch wandering spiders before populations grow.
Trap placement tips:
- Place along walls in basements and garages
- Position near entry points
- Put traps behind furniture
- Check traps weekly
- Replace when full or dusty
Traps also catch the insects spiders eat, giving you double benefit.
Seasonal Spider Prevention
Spider pressure changes throughout the year. Adjust your approach by season.
Spring: Spiders emerge from dormancy and become more active. Focus on sealing entry points and removing webs.
Summer: Spider populations peak. Maintain regular cleaning and keep vegetation trimmed away from the house.
Fall: Spiders seek warmth indoors. This is the most critical time for prevention. Seal every gap and reduce outdoor lighting.
Winter: Activity decreases, but spiders remain hidden inside. Continue cleaning undisturbed areas to remove established populations.
When to Call a Professional
Most spider problems respond well to DIY prevention. However, some situations need professional help.
Consider calling an expert if:
- You see brown recluse or black widow spiders
- DIY methods haven’t reduced activity after several weeks
- You have a severe infestation with webs everywhere
- Spiders keep appearing despite thorough prevention efforts
- You need help identifying a potentially dangerous species
Professionals can apply targeted treatments and identify entry points you may have missed.
Keep Spiders Out of Your House for Good
Learning how to keep spiders out of your house for good takes consistent effort. Seal entry points, eliminate food sources, reduce clutter, and use natural repellents. These methods create an environment spiders want to avoid.
Start with the biggest issues first—usually sealing gaps and reducing insects. Then maintain your efforts throughout the year, paying extra attention in fall when spiders push hardest to get inside.
With persistence, you can enjoy a spider-free home without relying on constant chemical treatments.
