How to Get Rid of Spiders (and Which Ones to Worry About)
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Quick answer: Reduce spiders by removing the insects they eat, sealing cracks and adding door sweeps, clearing webs and clutter, and moving outdoor lights away from doors. The only species that warrant real concern in the U.S. are black widows and brown recluses; if you see either repeatedly, get a professional identification and treatment.
Spiders are some of the most useful predators in and around a home, quietly eating flies, mosquitoes, roaches, and other spiders. The realistic goal is almost never zero spiders. It is keeping webbing and visible numbers down, and making sure you can recognize the small handful of species capable of a medically significant bite.
This guide covers how to identify common house spiders versus the two to take seriously, the practical steps that actually lower spider numbers, what does and does not work, and when bringing in a licensed spider control pro is the right call.
Most spiders are harmless, and why that matters
The large majority of spiders found indoors, including common house spiders, cellar spiders, jumping spiders, and wolf spiders, are not dangerous to people. Their fangs are usually too small to break skin meaningfully, and a bite, if it happens at all, tends to be no worse than a mild insect bite. They are also a sign of the bigger picture: spiders move in where there is a steady food supply of other insects, so a spider problem is often really an insect problem.
Because of that, the smartest long-term strategy is not to chase individual spiders but to make the home less attractive to the insects they hunt. Fewer prey insects means fewer spiders, naturally.
The two species to take seriously
In the United States, two spiders are responsible for nearly all medically important bites. Learning to recognize them, and where they like to hide, is the single most valuable part of spider control.
| Spider | Key markings | Where it hides | Concern level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black widow | Shiny jet-black body, red hourglass on the underside of the abdomen | Garages, woodpiles, crawl spaces, undersides of patio furniture | Medically significant bite |
| Brown recluse | Tan to brown, violin-shaped mark behind the head, six eyes in pairs | Undisturbed closets, boxes, attics, behind furniture | Medically significant bite |
| Common house spider | Tan to brown, blotchy abdomen, tangled webs | Corners, ceilings, basements | Harmless |
| Cellar spider (daddy long-legs) | Tiny body, very long thin legs | Damp basements and corners | Harmless |
| Wolf spider | Large, hairy, brown, fast-moving, no web | Ground level, along walls | Harmless, may look alarming |
Black widow
Black widows are shiny black with a distinctive red hourglass on the underside of the abdomen. They prefer dark, undisturbed, sheltered spots: woodpiles, garages, crawl spaces, meter boxes, and the undersides of outdoor furniture. They are not aggressive and bite mainly when pressed against skin, so wear gloves when reaching into stored boxes, under decks, or into woodpiles.
Brown recluse
Brown recluses are tan to brown with a violin-shaped marking behind the head and, unlike most spiders, only six eyes arranged in three pairs. They favor warm, dry, undisturbed areas such as closets, attics, storage boxes, and behind furniture. Their range is concentrated in the central and southern U.S. Shake out shoes, gloves, and stored clothing in areas where they are known to occur.
If you are bitten and develop spreading pain, an ulcerating or blistering wound, muscle cramps, nausea, or fever, seek medical care and, if you safely can, photograph the spider for identification. Most suspected recluse bites turn out to be something else, so a real specimen helps.
Reduce spiders the right way, step by step
1. Cut down their food supply
Spiders go where the bugs are. Reduce general insect pressure and spider numbers drop on their own: fix leaks and reduce humidity, keep kitchens and trash clean, and address any existing pest problems such as flies, gnats, or roaches.
2. Move lights away from doors
Outdoor lights near entrances draw the flying insects spiders feed on. Move fixtures away from doors, switch to warm-toned or yellow bug lights, and keep porch lights off when not needed. This is one of the most overlooked and effective steps.
3. Seal entry points
- Add door sweeps and repair weatherstripping on exterior doors.
- Caulk cracks around windows, foundation, utility lines, and vents.
- Repair torn window and door screens.
- Install screens over attic, soffit, and crawl-space vents.
4. Clear webs, clutter, and harborage
- Knock down webs and egg sacs regularly with a vacuum or broom; removal discourages rebuilding.
- Vacuum corners, under furniture, and basement and garage perimeters.
- Declutter storage areas and store items in sealed plastic bins rather than open cardboard.
- Move woodpiles, leaf litter, and debris away from the foundation, where widows and prey insects shelter.
- Trim shrubs and vegetation back from the walls of the house.
What does not work well
Skip the folk remedies. There is no good evidence that chestnuts, essential-oil sprays, or ultrasonic plug-in devices meaningfully control spiders. Over-the-counter foggers and bug bombs are also a poor choice; they disperse a fine mist that rarely reaches the sheltered cracks where spiders actually hide and can spread residue across living surfaces. Targeted sealing, sanitation, web removal, and reducing prey insects outperform all of these.
DIY versus professional spider control
Most everyday spider concerns respond well to the prevention steps above. A professional becomes worth it when the species is dangerous, the population keeps returning, or you simply want certainty about what you are dealing with.
| Situation | DIY | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| A few harmless house spiders | Yes, prevention and web removal | Not needed |
| Heavy, recurring webbing | Try first | Recommended if it keeps returning |
| Confirmed black widow or brown recluse | Not advised | Yes, identification and targeted treatment |
| Spiders entering from a larger insect problem | Address insects first | Recommended for the underlying pest |
| Crawl space or attic infestation | Hard to reach safely | Yes, harborage treatment |
A pro does more than spray. They identify the species, target harborage spots where spiders and egg sacs cluster, treat the prey insects spiders rely on, and apply residual products into the cracks and voids a homeowner cannot easily reach. That combination is what produces lasting results when DIY has not.
When to call a professional and why
Call a licensed pro when you repeatedly see a black widow or brown recluse, when heavy webbing keeps coming back despite cleanup, when spiders are tied to a separate insect infestation, or when they are nesting in a crawl space or attic that is unsafe to treat yourself. For venomous species in particular, professional identification removes the guesswork and the risk.
Find a spider control pro
Compare spider control companies with source-linked license records near you and request a free quote. You can also browse pest control providers by service or, if a separate bug problem is feeding the spiders, start with our general pest control hub. New to hiring pest control? Read how to choose a pest control company and our 2026 pest control cost guide before you book.
Run a pest control company? List your business on PestPin or see how our pro plans work to connect with homeowners searching for spider control nearby.
Frequently asked questions
Are most house spiders dangerous?
No. The large majority are harmless and actually help by eating other insects. The main concerns in the U.S. are black widows and brown recluses, which a professional can identify and treat.
How do I keep spiders out of my house?
Reduce the insects they eat, seal cracks and add door sweeps, move outdoor lights away from doors, and regularly clear webs and clutter where they shelter.
How can I tell a black widow from a harmless spider?
Black widows are shiny jet-black with a red hourglass on the underside of the abdomen and prefer dark, undisturbed spots like woodpiles and garages. Harmless house spiders are usually tan or brown with blotchy markings.
What does a brown recluse look like?
Tan to brown with a violin-shaped mark behind the head and six eyes in three pairs. They hide in warm, dry, undisturbed areas such as closets, attics, and storage boxes, mostly in the central and southern U.S.
Do ultrasonic repellers or essential oils keep spiders away?
There is no reliable evidence that ultrasonic devices, chestnuts, or essential-oil sprays control spiders. Sealing entry points, reducing prey insects, and removing webs work far better.
Why do I suddenly have so many spiders?
A spike usually means plenty of food. Spiders follow other insects, so a sudden increase often points to flies, gnats, or another pest problem, or seasonal mating activity in late summer and fall.
Should I kill spiders or leave them?
Harmless species can be left alone or relocated outside since they control other pests. Remove webbing in living areas for comfort, and treat only when numbers are high or a venomous species is present.
Are spider bites common?
Genuine spider bites are far less common than people assume. Many wounds blamed on spiders are actually skin infections or other insect bites. If a wound worsens or spreads, see a doctor rather than self-diagnosing a spider bite.
Do foggers or bug bombs get rid of spiders?
Not effectively. The mist rarely reaches the cracks and voids where spiders hide and leaves residue on surfaces. Targeted crack-and-crevice treatment by a pro works much better.
When should I call a professional for spiders?
Call a pro if you repeatedly see a black widow or brown recluse, if heavy webbing keeps returning, if spiders are tied to another infestation, or if they are nesting in a crawl space or attic.
Think you need a pro?
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