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Why Does My Basement Have So Many Spiders?
Whether your basement is finished or unfinished, spiders will make their way in. You are likely to find spiders in your home at least a few times in your lifetime. A few spiders here and there are not an issue.
However, if you notice there are large amounts of spiders living in your home, that is where it becomes a problem. That’s when you have a spider infestation.
Spiders love to be in dark, moist environments. Think about when you are outside. You’ll usually find spiders living in places like moist leaf piles or your beautiful vegetable garden.
Damp environments attract many types of bugs, giving spiders a never-ending buffet. That’s why spiders tend to hang out in your basement. They won’t want to leave when there is a continuous food supply.
What Attracts House Spiders?
Food supply is the number one thing that lures house spiders into your basement. If there are spiders in your basement, it most likely means that you have other bugs setting up shop as well.
Spiders won’t come into your basement just for fun. They need a reason to come in. Other bugs are the perfect invitation for spiders to move in.
Dampness is another thing that spiders love. Dampness is the perfect environment for cellar spiders. Their prey is attracted to moisture, which means cellar spiders will follow not too far behind.
Insects are naturally attracted to light. If you’ve ever looked at a light when it’s dark out, you’ll notice bugs swarming around it. Spiders are not necessarily attracted to lights, but they are attracted to the swarm of bugs that comes with them.
Leaving lights on in dark places such as basements will attract bugs, which leads to spiders showing up for a feast.
If you notice, there is a common theme here. All of the things that attract spiders revolve around prey. Wherever there is food, you will find spiders.
What Do Basement Spiders Eat?
Cellar spiders are usually tan or gray, and they have small bodies with long legs. They are not the same as daddy longlegs spiders, although they look similar.
Their diet mainly consists of moths, flies, and mosquitoes. They will eat other insects and spiders as well. They aren’t picky.
How to Keep Spiders Out of a Basement
There are a few steps you can take to keep spiders out of your home and basement. Traps are a good option to start with. Another option is some type of spider or bug spray. The spray will kill the spider immediately.
If you don’t want to use chemicals, there are natural sprays you can use. They may be more expensive, but they are non-toxic. You can also make your own sprays at home with a few simple ingredients.
What Is the Best Spider Deterrent?
The best option to deter spiders from entering your home is to keep insects out. There is no reason for them to stay if there is no food. Taking preventative measures such as cleaning can keep insects and spiders away.
Vacuuming any spider webs and egg sacs can keep the spiders from coming back.
Keeping food and trash covered will prevent insects from wanting to be in your home, ultimately leading to spiders not wanting to enter either. Pesticides can help kill any bugs that are already in your home, deterring spiders from wanting to stay.
Reducing humidity in your home is a great thing to do as well. Taking these steps will make your basement and home uninhabitable for spiders, making them leave.
The Best Spider Repellent Options to Keep Them Out of Your Basement
As for repellent options, there are a few things you can either make or buy. There are also some tactics you can use to stop them from ever entering your home in the first place.
Repellent options include natural and chemical. Natural repellents tend to use essential oils and are safe for humans and pets. Chemical options are pesticides.
Use Peppermint Oil Spray
Spiders hate peppermint. You can make this spray at home by mixing water and peppermint essential oils. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, and you’re good to go.
You’ll want to spray the mixture near windows, doors, and other areas where you think spiders are coming in.
Vinegar Spraying
Vinegar is another natural option that can repel spiders. All you have to do is mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray it near windows, doors, and other areas where bugs may come in.
Citrus
Lemons and oranges are an enemy of spiders. You can use them in multiple ways to your advantage. One way to use citrus is to place peels around your home.
Another way is to rub window frames, doors, and other areas with the peels. Using this method leaves the scent behind, but you won’t have citrus peels all over your house.
The last option is to mix citrus essential oils with water in a spray bottle. Then, of course, spray it on areas where you’ve seen spiders and bugs.
Eucalyptus
Like the above options, mix eucalyptus essential oil and water in a spray bottle to make a natural repellent. Spray the mixture where you think spiders and bugs are living or coming in.
Avoid Stacked Wood Piles
Spiders love finding places to hide. One of their favorites is woodpiles. Keeping firewood and other wood stacks out of your basement keeps spiders from building webs and making homes.
Spider Trap Option
Spider or sticky traps are another type of natural repellent. They don’t cost a lot, and they are non-toxic. Some spider traps trap and kill the spiders with plant-based materials.
Others, such as sticky traps, are made of glue. The spiders stick to the glue, and then you can just toss the trap in the garbage.
Keep the Basement Clean From Spider-Friendly Items
Cleaning your basement of any hiding spaces such as cardboard boxes and woodpiles will help keep spiders out. They won’t create their webs out in the open. They like to hide, so it is best to clean and tidy up your basement.
Securely Seal Openings
Sealing small openings with caulk can prevent spiders from coming into your house. Replacing any holes in your doors and windows is helpful too. Don’t give them opportunities to come in.
How Do You Keep Spiders Away Permanently?
Getting rid of spiders permanently starts with cleaning and killing any insects and spiders that are already in your home. Once they are dead, you’ll want to seal any openings that spiders can get through.
Then, as an extra added defense, spray the perimeter of your home with repellents and insecticides. Now your home should be protected from any more unexpected arachnid houseguests.
Does Borax Repel Spiders?
Borax is a chemical powder. It is used for pest control of insects. While borax may kill a spider’s prey, it rarely harms the spider. It doesn’t necessarily repel spiders, but it rids the home of their prey, making them less likely to stay.
Boric acid, where borax comes from, is more effective in killing spiders. Once it is ingested, the spider will die, but, be careful when handling borax and boric acid as it should not be ingested by humans.
What Smells Do Spiders Hate?
Smells are an easy thing to deter spiders from living in your home. They hate the scent of peppermint, cinnamon, tea tree, lavender, rose, eucalyptus, cedar, garlic, citrus, and vinegar. Using essential oils and other natural smells is a great way to keep spiders away from your basement and home.
What Keeps Brown Recluse Spiders Away?
Brown recluse spiders hate some of the same things that cellar and house spiders hate. The best methods to keep them away include cleaning your home, spraying repellents, using strong scents, spreading diatomaceous earth, using glue traps, and using insecticides.
All of these methods have been mentioned already except for diatomaceous earth. This product is a chemical-free crushed rock. While it is harmless to humans and pets, it is very effective at killing pests.
What Household Products Kill Spiders Instantly?
You might have some things lying around your house that can kill spiders without having to go to the store. Many household products, such as cleaners, can kill spiders dead in their tracks. When spiders come into contact with these cleaners they die. Here are some options:
- Windex
- Borax and boric acid
- Soap and water
Do Dryer Sheets Keep Spiders Away?
Dryer sheets might have some alternative uses other than keeping your laundry static-free. Some sources say that spiders dislike dryer sheets. They could possibly be used as a human and pet-safe spider repellent.
The idea of this sounds great, but there aren’t many facts to back it up. As it turns out, dryer sheets only slightly work in getting rid of spiders. Dryer sheets can help pick up dust and crumbs that lure in insects.
There is also the possibility of spiders disliking the scent of the dryer sheets, making them leave. Although there isn’t any hard evidence that dryer sheets work as a repellent, it might be worth a try.
How Do I Get Rid of Wolf Spiders in My Basement?
Besides deterring wolf spiders from coming into your house, you can create a barrier with an insecticide to help keep wolf spiders out.
Spraying bug-killing spray around the perimeter of the inside of your home can help kill the spiders and keep them from coming in.
What Time of Year is Best to Spray for Spiders?
Bugs tend to come out when the weather is warm. Due to this, it is best to spray for bugs and spiders when the weather is just starting to warm up. Spring is an excellent time to spray for pests.
Spraying once a year in the springtime should be enough to keep spiders out. However, if you see an increase in these unexpected house guests, call your local bug inspector to come check it out.
