7 Things Attracting Spiders to Your House and How to Keep Them Away

Spotting a spider in your house might make you want to burn it down or at least to move. But the truth is those eight-legged creatures are, for the most part, on our side. Often hailed as a natural form of pest control because they feed on insects that prey on your garden or invade your house, spiders are far more helpful than harmful.

Even if you don’t cringe when you see a visitor of the arachnid kind in your house, it’s better to ensure that it’s a solo visitor and not the beginning of a house party. Here are seven things that attract spiders to your house, and what to do about them.

Other Insects Are Present

Remember, spiders are actually the good guys in real life. But if you spot more than one spider in your home or see webs regularly in corners, it could mean that other insects are lurking and the spiders are just arriving for the feast. While a lone spider isn’t likely to be too bad, if you see them often or in groups, then it’s time to call the exterminator to see what other critters are serving as the spiders’ food source.

They Came in By Accident

A spider will never turn down a free ride into your house, courtesy of any box, bag, or parcel that you’ve brought in. Take time to examine and brush off any boxes or bags that have been delivered to your front door, especially if they’ve been sitting outside for a bit. It’s not a bad idea to empty a box that was stored outside or in the garage, attic, or basement of its contents (outside, of course) to avoid letting spiders or other hitchhiking insects indoors.

The Weather Is Better Inside

It’s especially important to be on guard for insects and spiders when it’s hot out or the forecast calls for rain. Spiders seek cover from the rain and heat, and your house is a climate controlled paradise. The best thing you can do is stop them from entering gaps, cracks, and open doors and windows. Despite your best efforts, you might see a spider or two after heavy rain—they hate wet conditions.

Enticing Damp and Dark Spaces

If you’ve got an attic, crawlspace, garage, basement, or any combination thereof, you’ve got prime real estate for spiders. It won’t take long for them to move in and get settled behind piles of boxes or of other items. Keeping things as neat as possible is key, but you might want to put out some insect and arachnid baits to keep critters from being a problem.

Enticing Bright Lights

You probably already know that an illuminated porch light is a magnet for moths and other insects. Spiders will also be attracted by that light, if only for the insect buffet that’s waiting for them there. Of course, don’t sacrifice security for the sake of pest control. Consider installing motion sensor lights that detect movement only from humans and (gulp) larger animal visitors on your property. 

Open Trash

Flies are scavengers and will eagerly buzz about open piles of trash, and hungry spiders can’t help but wander over for a bite to eat. Be sure to put your trash—especially anything with food scraps—in garbage bags that are then stored in tightly sealed trash cans. Do not leave piles of boxes out for recycling, either, unless you want to give spiders a nice space to hide out. 

Spiders Are Opportunists

Spiders are not picky when it comes to making an entrance—if they see it, they'll take it. They’ll crawl right through a door or window that’s left ajar or any other opening they can find. That’s why it’s important to seal up gaps around windows and doors, as well as any cracks in the foundation. Otherwise, you might as well put up a welcome sign for arachnids, insects, and other critters.

Tips for Deterring Spiders from Your Home 

Here’s how to prevent spiders from treating your home like an extension of their web.

• Seal off cracks in your home’s foundation and gaps or other openings around windows and doors.
• Store food properly so as not to attract insects, which serve as food for spiders.
• Cut back foliage near windows.
• Use baits and other pest control methods to keep insects out of your garage, attic, basement, and crawlspace.
• Brush off items left outside before bringing them indoors to avoid giving spiders a free ride into your home.
• Do not store trash or piles of boxes or firewood near your home’s foundation or doors. These are all prime hiding spots for spiders.