Spiders are a common sight in Arizona homes, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. Whether you’re dealing with black widows, recluses, or other arachnids, taking a few proactive steps can help you keep these creepy crawlies out for good.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a spider-free home.
Key Takeaways
- Sealing cracks, repairing screens, and applying weatherstripping prevent spiders from entering your home.
- Decluttering, vacuuming regularly, and storing items in sealed containers remove spider-hiding spots.
- Reducing outdoor spider attractions, using natural repellents, and eliminating other pests keep spiders away.
- Setting spider traps, maintaining cleanliness, and calling pest control professionals ensure long-term spider prevention.
Seal Cracks and Entry Points
Spiders often enter homes through tiny cracks and crevices. Inspect your home’s foundation, walls, and door frames for any openings. To spider-proof your home, use caulk to seal cracks and apply weatherstripping around windows and doors.
Don’t forget to check windowsills, sills, and window screens—damaged screens should be repaired or replaced to keep them out.
This simple DIY step is essential to prevent spider infestations before they start.
Declutter and Clean Regularly
Spiders love hiding spots, so maintaining a home clean and clutter-free is key.
Pay special attention to closets, attics, and basements, where they often take shelter. Vacuuming regularly—especially along baseboards and in corners—helps remove cobwebs and spider webs.
Use dish soap and warm water to wipe down areas where they might hide. Keep storage items in sealed plastic containers rather than cardboard boxes, which they can easily crawl into.
Homeowners should also check woodpiles and outdoor storage areas since they attract these arachnids looking for shelter.
Remove Outdoor Spider Attractions
Spiders are often drawn to homes because of outdoor conditions. Reduce their numbers by trimming plants and bushes away from your home’s exterior.
Store firewood and woodpiles at least 20 feet away from the house. Turn off outdoor lights at night or switch to yellow, bug-repelling bulbs—fewer bugs near your home means fewer spiders hunting them.
Use Natural Spider Repellents
Essential oils can act as effective natural spider repellents.
Fill a spray bottle with water, white vinegar, and a few drops of peppermint essential oil, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil. Spray this mixture around entry points, windowsills, door frames, and baseboards.
For added protection, soak cotton balls with drops of your chosen oil and place them in closets, attics, and other hiding spots.
Some homeowners also place chestnuts or cedar wood around the house as natural spider deterrents, as they tend to avoid their scent.
Eliminate Spider Food Sources
Spiders enter homes in search of food—namely, other pests like cockroaches, flies, and bed bugs. Keeping your home free of these pests will naturally reduce spider populations.
Store food in airtight containers, clean up crumbs promptly, and take out the trash regularly. Be sure to rinse out food containers and peels before disposing of them to avoid attracting other pests.
Set Spider Traps and Use Diatomaceous Earth
Sticky spider traps are an easy DIY way to catch wandering spiders. Place traps in dark corners, behind furniture, and along walls where spiders are likely to travel.
For long-term prevention, sprinkle diatomaceous earth (DE)—a powder that dehydrates spiders—along entry points, cracks, and crevices.
Just be sure to use food-grade DE if you have pets or children.
Keep Your Home Spider-Free Year-Round
Spider prevention is an ongoing process.
Regularly check and clean hidden areas like under furniture and behind appliances. If spiders persist despite your efforts, professional pest control services can provide targeted treatments.
At Green Home Pest Control, we’re here to help you keep your home spider-free all year long. Our team of experts knows exactly where spiders hide and how to eliminate them for good—going beyond what the natural ways can achieve.
Contact us today, and we’ll make sure your home stays spider-free, so you can relax without worrying about unwanted creepy crawlies.
21 years of pest control experience
Founder and Owner of Green Home Pest Control
13 year resident of Arizona
