The dark and dampness that often comes with basements is a spider’s ideal living space. Regardless of how clean or dirty your basement is, spiders are common basement pests and we often have to look for how to get rid of spiders in basement. Basements make for an excellent shelter, home and source of food for eight-legged crawlers. Of course, we don’t want spiders in our basement and at the very least, keep them to a minimum. Here’s how you can get rid of spiders in your basement and how to keep them out.
Why Are There Spiders In My Basement
Spiders in your basement doesn’t mean your basement is dirty. Primarily, spiders are often found in the basement because it provides a safe haven from predators. The basement also offers many food sources for spiders.
Where you have spiders, you likely have other insects crawling around. The cool and damp conditions of a basement attracts ants, beetles, houseflies, earwigs and silverfish.
How To Get Rid Of Spiders In Basement And Keep Them Out
Here are some safe and effective ways to remove spiders from your basement and keep them out.
Use A Spider Vacuum
The first method, if you’re willing, is to remove the spiders and transfer them outside manually. Use a device called a spider vacuum. It’s long enough to keep you at a good distance from a spider. The vacuum sucks it up whole and traps it within a container. You then can proceed to eject the spider outdoors. No harm to you or the spider.
Bonus point is that a spider vacuum can be used on other unwanted basement dwellers without harming them such as beetles and lizards.
Make Your Basement Uninviting For Spiders
One of the most effective ways to control spider populations in your basement is to remove their hiding places and food sources. Spiders are only attracted to your basement because it’s an ideal living environment. If you make the basement inhospitable for spiders, the less likely they’ll choose to live there.
Do this by decluttering your basement. Remove all unnecessary boxes and items that would otherwise hide spiders and house spiderwebs.
Seal Cracks And Openings
Along with making your basement unlivable for spiders, seal cracks and other openings where they’re likely coming in. Check for cracks and gaps in the wall that spiders would use to enter your basement. Use silicone caulk as this adds a spider and water-proof seal.
Create An All-Natural Spider Repellent
You can create your own spider repellent to drive spiders out and keep them out. Generally, spiders dislike strong scents so you can use any essential oils that you have. Peppermint, eucalyptus, orange, lemon, and lemongrass essential oil are particularly repellent to spiders.
Mix 10-15 drops of any essential oil of your choice in a 50 ml spray bottle and spray it around the perimeter and openings of your basement. Bonus points for an all-natural air-freshener!
Combine Vinegar With Citrus Peels
If you don’t have any essential oils in your home, you can still make a DIY and all-natural spider repellent with vinegar and citrus peels. Simply place white vinegar in a spray bottle with any citrus peels you have. Spray along the perimeter and openings of your basement.
Use Insecticides
If you have a serious spider infestation, you may need to use insecticides to get rid of the spiders. Before using any store-bought insecticides, be sure to read the label carefully and follow the instructions to avoid any potential health hazards.
For whatever reason you’d rather not work with insecticides, you can always call on professional pest control. The average cost, $150 to $300, is well worth it if you have a particularly severe spider infestation.
Plug In An Ultrasonic Device
You can utilize an ultrasonic pest repellant to keep all kinds of unwanted visitors, including spiders out of your basement. The device works by emitting high-frequency sound waves that can be heard by pests. The sound is inaudible to humans. If you live in a house with no pets, this device is ideal for keeping spiders out with little to no effort on your part.
Keep Your Basement Clean
Once you’ve cleared your basement of spiders, keeping your basement clean is one of the most effective ways of keeping your basement spider-free. Apart from decluttering as mentioned earlier, regularly clean the space. Give it a thorough vacuum and mopping on a regular basis.
Safety Precautions
While most home-dwelling spiders are harmless, it’s important to know when you have a dangerous, aggressive or poisonous spider in your basement. If this is the case, you obviously shouldn’t be dealing with it hands on. You can opt to call pest control or use a spider vacuum to get it out of your house safely. In the event that you do get bitten by a venomous spider, go to the hospital immediately for appropriate anti-venom treatment.
At the end of the day, spiders are everywhere and come in all shapes and sizes. Don’t beat yourself up if they manage to enter your home. Instead, follow our guide on how to get rid of spiders in basement to keep their numbers under control.
