What to do if a spider is in your room

• Different types of spiders
• Why do spiders come inside?
• How to catch a spider
• How to get rid of spiders

Wondering how to get rid of spiders? We know they don't mean us any harm (most of the time), but it's hard to be rational with their 8 legs dangling all over the place!

If you're afraid of creepy crawlies, or you just want to stop them from leaving cobwebs, it can be helpful to know how to keep them out of the home. Good news - today we're sharing 17 simple and effective home remedies that will help you to get rid of spiders in the house (and they're surprisingly easy!)

Don't forget to share this with other arachnophobes too!

Editor's Note: This post was originally posted in May 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in August 2020. 

Different types of spiders

We do have plenty of spiders in the UK, but one thing to be thankful for is that they rarely bite, and those that do won't cause any prolonged symptoms.

Some of the most common house spiders that you might find in your house include Giant House Spiders, Daddy Long Legs, Hobo Spiders, Zebra Jumping Spiders, Cupboard Spiders, Money Spiders, Lace Web Spiders, False Widow Spiders and Cardinal Spiders. 

If you're wondering how to get rid of Wolf Spiders or Brown Recluse Spiders, the methods are the same as with any other spider. You should take additional care when dealing with this poisonous species - their bite is venomous! 

Why do spiders come inside?

Believe it or not, spiders don't always come inside. In fact, only 5% of house spiders have ever been outside.

House spiders grow in numbers when egg sacs are carried in on furniture or building materials. From there, they mate and generally live in or under the same house throughout their entire life.

You may be wondering why you see more spiders at certain times of the year, especially if they're not coming from outside. There's an explanation for that - male spiders come out in search of females during the mating season. This is usually late summer, but it varies for each species.  

How to catch a spider

If you do find a spider in your home, you might be wondering what the best way to remove it is. The most popular method for catching spiders in the home is to use a jar or a glass. This is a humane method that allows you to catch spiders without killing them, and get rid of them fast. You can use any container for your DIY trap, but the best spider catching tools are: 

• Transparent 
• Not too big and not too small
• Not too heavy or fragile

You'll need nerves of steel to get close enough to the spider, and quick reflexes to trap it under the container. Once you have the spider trapped, you will need to slip a piece of paper under the jar. Takeaway menus and thin card work particularly well, because they give you a more solid base than paper. 

Carefully slide the paper under the container and then lift up the jar and paper together, being careful to keep the spider trapped. Release the spider outside, leaving a good amount of distance from your home.

If you're a bit more squeamish when it comes to spiders, this spider catcher might be the solution for you.  

How to get rid of spiders

If you really dislike spiders, the above news may come as quite a shock. All is not lost, however. We're sharing loads of easy ways to get rid of house spiders below.

1. Move the bins

Unlike humans, spiders love flies. Bins are like food courts to spiders, as flies love to hang around rubbish.

Wheel your bins to new places as far away from your house as possible, and keep them closed at all times to keep spiders well away from your windows and doors.

 2. Use conkers

This is a great tip for those that want to know how to get rid of spiders naturally. The old wives' tale suggests that horse chestnuts (also known as conkers) contain certain chemicals that spiders find unpalatable. 

But are spiders actually scared of conkers? A 2018 study found natural compounds, like horse chestnuts, to be effective in deterring spider settlements.

Place horse chestnuts in the corners of your house where you experience high traffic levels of spiders. Cut a few holes in them if you can to further release any chemicals. It might not work, but it's certainly worth a try if all else fails!

3. Turn off outdoor lights

It's no secret that light attracts insects, and what's a spider's favourite thing to eat? You guessed it - insects. Luring bugs into your home is like setting out a banquet with an 8-legged dress code. 

Prevent this potential buffet feast from happening by switching off those lights tonight.

4. Get a cat

Your four-legged friend, Fluffy, is an experienced hunter and will take care of any spiders that have the audacity to crawl around the floor or on the furniture.

This is one of the best ways to get rid of spiders without chemicals. If you haven't already got a furry pal to help, what are you waiting for?

5. Grow eucalyptus

You might like the smell of eucalyptus, but it's thought that spiders do not. Consider growing eucalyptus as a houseplant or outside to discourage them from setting up camp in your house.

This is a wonderful, natural way to get rid of spiders in the home. 

6. Deter those creepy crawlies with cinnamon

That strong Christmas scent isn't just for the holidays!

We're all for using home remedies, and this is no exception. Cinnamon is perfect for keeping spiders away, so grab yourself a cinnamon candle to burn. You'll be sending those spiders packing in no time.

7. Lemon Peel

Another great way to get rid of spiders naturally is to use lemon. Spiders hate citrus, so it's the perfect weapon. 

Rub lemon peel all over your windowsills, bookshelves and anywhere they might like to hide. This is an easy way to move them along, and out of your home! If you're also looking for a way to get rid of spiders in the basement or garage, this could be an easy solution. Rubbing lemon around skirting boards and door frames should do the trick. 

8. Vinegar

Want to make a natural spider repellent? Grab a spray bottle and mix white vinegar and water together. Go around the house and spray your mixture into all the little crevices around your home to deter spiders - it'll work a treat.

Don't worry about the smell, that will disappear as soon as it dries.

9. Peppermint

If you're really worried about the smell of vinegar, try peppermint!

Fill up a spray bottle with water and add 20 drops of peppermint essential oils. Head to the cracks and corners of your house and spray the mixture into them to get rid of spiders without killing them. You could even spray it on your duvet to try to deter them from your bed.

Another option is using a peppermint tea bag. Once you've brewed the tea, leave the squeezed bag in the room that's prone to spiders to deter them.

10. Clean up

The best way to get rid of spiders in the house is to dust, vacuum and de-clutter your home regularly.

It's not the quickest method, but keeping your home cleaned regularly will mean those 8-legged friends don't get a chance to build webs and set up shop in your home.

11. Clean the garden

What if you're wondering how to get rid of spiders outside? We have the answer! 

You might think there's little you can do to keep your garden spider-free, but that's where you're wrong. The fuller your backyard, the easier it is for spiders to build webs and set up camp.

If you've got lots of plant pots and foliage around your house that spiders love to build webs in, then it's time to clear and prune. It's also a good idea to keep plants away from the perimeter of your home. If you have large shrubs against the brick wall, you'll only encourage them to head inside. 

12. Seal up the cracks

How do those spiders get in anyway?

Spiders will gain entry to your home through cracks and openings around windows and doors.

Prevent them by sealing up the cracks with sealant.

13. Get rid of old drink vessels

Spiders are big fans of old bottle and cans so recycle them as quickly as possible before they move in.

14. Keep pet food covered

Do you know how much flies love to buzz around your Summer BBQs? They'll find the same appeal in meaty pet food.

Grab some plastic boxes and place them over pet food to prevent it from attracting flies and other bugs, which will, in turn, lure spiders into your home.

15. Bleach

Bleach is useful for many things - one of which is a homemade pesticide.

Spraying diluted bleach onto areas where spiders are lurking will soon get rid of them.

16. Lavender

Lavender might smell lovely to us, but spiders aren't such fans!

Fill a spray bottle almost full with warm water, then add 7 drops of lavender essential oils and 1 tbsp washing up liquid. Shake to combine, then spray into areas spiders are a problem (windows, doors and the base of walls are usually a good place to start).

This is a nice one for the bedroom, as it will make the whole room smell gorgeous!

17. Wash fruit

Fruit attracts flies, which attract spiders. Grapes are particularly appealing to insects, so spiders are more likely to make their web amongst and around them.

Although most farmers now used pesticides which should prevent this, organically-grown produce may be more likely to house the odd four-legged friend or two.

To be on the safe side, always give your fruit a clean when you bring them home from the supermarket.

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Q&A

How do you get rid of spiders in the car? 

Spiders love to hide in cars, and they can be tricky to keep out. The first step is to keep doors and windows shut as much as possible, and to make sure that there aren't any gaps for them to sneak through. Next, you'll want to vacuum your car regularly to remove crumbs and spider webs. 

Give your car a thorough clean with a general-purpose spray and then use one of the natural remedies above to deter them from coming back. Natural ingredients such as cinnamon, vinegar and citrus can be used to scent your car. 

What do spiders eat?  

Spiders do have one advantage - they'll trap and eat pests in your home. Insects like cockroaches, earwigs, mosquitoes, flies, and moths will be no match for their sticky webs! 

Why do spiders bite? 

Spiders will bite if they feel threatened. Spiders don't feed on human blood in the same way as bed bugs or mosquitos, so you don't need to be scared if you have them in your home. 

How do you get rid of spider eggs? 

You might have discovered a small egg sack near your windows or doorframes. This could be full of hundreds, if not thousands, of baby spiders that can hatch at any moment. If not dealt with, you'll have to handle a full-blown spider infestation. If you're removing the egg sack yourself, take care not to damage the sack, as you could disturb the baby spiders. 

Take a piece of kitchen roll and carefully dislodge the egg sack. Place the kitchen roll and the egg sack into a bin bag and tie the handles securely. Dispose of the bin bag in your general waste. You could also use a vacuum to dislodge and suck up the egg sack, but the sack might burst inside of your vacuum. 

Do spiders come up the plughole? 

If you've found a spider in your bath, you might think it's crawled up the plughole in true Incy-Wincy style. There's no need to leave your plug blocking the drain 24/7, as this simply isn't true! The U-bend in your plumbing will prevent any spiders from getting into your bath. 

We hope you've enjoyed the tips! 

Please share this article with your arachnophobic friends and let us know your tips in the comments below...

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