Is there anything worse than a spider problem in your apartment? We’ll wait.
Got nothing? Don’t worry, we’ve got answers. While most spiders won’t hurt anything but flies, some species can pose a danger to your health. Find out what you can do to make spiders in your apartment get out and stay out.
Step #1: Take preventative measures.
We know what you’re thinking: “Preventative measures? I. Already. Have. Spiders. In. My. Apartment.” It’s time for DRASTIC measures! But the same steps you can take to prevent a spider problem actually help you fix one, too.
Tell spiders to scram by:
- Cleaning your apartment, so spiders have nowhere to hide.
- Sealing up vents, window screens, doors, and other cracks.
- Trimming and removing plants and weeds away from your apartment if you live in a ground floor apartment.
- Keeping your outdoor lights off to deter flying insects… AKA spidey snacks.
Step #2: Vacuum up webs and egg sacs.
If you see webs and/or egg sacs around, suck them up in your handy-dandy vacuum cleaner. This may not be super effective for large infestations, but it can help stop smaller ones.
If you’re feeling benevolent, try to capture and release the spiders outside your apartment instead of smashing them. Spiders are misunderstood creatures. Very few species are aggressive or dangerous. In fact, we’re much more of a threat to them than they are to us. That aside, spiders also eat many insects that are much more dangerous to humans, like disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Step #3: Place horse chestnuts in the corners of your apartment.
Nobody knows why this Farmer’s Almanac-style remedy works. Some believe the horse chestnut and its closest relatives (the walnut and the fruit of the Osage orange tree) contain a noxious chemical that smells unpleasant to spiders. And yes, spiders can smell things!
Step #4: Set down sticky glue traps.
Sticky glue traps are a cheap and effective way to get rid of spiders crawling across your apartment floor. Set them against walls, in corners, and under furniture. When a spider walks across the trap, they will get stuck and stay stuck.
Step #5: Douse your apartment in peppermint oil.
Your mom’s essential oils might finally come in handy! Mix a spray bottle with water and 15-20 drops of peppermint oil, then spray the concoction in every nook and cranny of your apartment, particularly the entrances. Spiders hate the smell of peppermint. If you do too, try eucalyptus or tea tree oil for a similar effect.
Step #5: Spray the spiders with vinegar.
We’re getting serious now. The spiders won’t leave, and you’re feeling…murderous. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which burns and kills spiders on contact. Spray a vinegar solution in high-traffic areas or on any spider you see.
Step #7: Apply a residual pesticide.
Talk to your landlord about buying a pesticide that contains pyrethroid. If they sign off, then spray it in the cracks and corners of your apartment. A spider will die if it travels through the pesticide. Always follow the label and be careful not to poison yourself, your kids, or your pets.
Step #8: Call the exterminator.
This is by far the most expensive option, but probably the most effective. If you have a large infestation and none of the previous steps work, a pest control expert should be able to get rid of your spider problem. But be ready to vacate your apartment for a few days. Some professional grade pesticides are so strong that humans should not be around until the pesticide fully dissipates.
Before you turn to the big guns, keep in mind that only two species of spiders in the U.S. can hurt you: the Brown Recluse and the Black Widow. If you have these spiders in your house, it’s certainly time to do something about it.
Worried about other pests in your apartment? Find out how to get rid of them, too.
Tired of living in an apartment with hundreds of 8-legged roommates who don’t pay rent? Find an awesome, pest-free apartment on ApartmentSearch.
