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August 11, 2026
Seeing the occasional spider in your home is normal, but finding new webs every few days or spotting spiders in multiple rooms usually means there's a bigger problem. Many homeowners think killing the spiders they can see will solve the issue, but that's only part of the solution.
Professional pest control can greatly reduce spider activity, but it can't permanently eliminate spiders from the environment. Unlike ants or cockroaches, spiders don't live in large colonies. They move into homes looking for food, shelter, and a safe place to hide. That's why effective spider control focuses on more than just the spiders; it also targets the insects they're feeding on.
From our experience, homes with recurring spider problems almost always have an underlying insect issue. If flies, ants, crickets, or other insects are present, spiders will keep coming back because they have a steady food source.
Spiders rarely show up at random. If you're seeing more of them than usual, something in or around your home is making it an appealing place to be.
Seasonal changes: Spider sightings tend to spike in late summer and fall, when many species mature, and males wander in search of mates. Cooling temperatures outdoors also push spiders toward the warmth and stability of a house.
Looking for food: Spiders are predators, not scavengers. They show up where prey is abundant. A home with flies, ants, silverfish, or other small insects is, from a spider's perspective, a well-stocked pantry.
Moisture and shelter: Damp basements, cluttered garages, woodpiles, and undisturbed corners create the humid, quiet conditions many spider species prefer for building webs and laying egg sacs.
Entry points around the home: Gaps around utility lines, torn window screens, unsealed foundation cracks, and gaps under doors all give spiders and the insects they hunt easy access indoors.
A successful treatment starts with understanding why spiders are in your home and targets the conditions that allow them to survive.
Every treatment begins with a detailed inspection. Technicians look for active webs, egg sacs, hiding spots, and possible entry points around the home.
Identifying the spider species is equally important because not all spiders behave the same way. Web-building spiders stay close to their webs, while hunting spiders actively move around looking for prey. Understanding these habits helps determine where treatments will be most effective.
Before applying any products, technicians remove visible webs and egg sacs.
This step is more important than many homeowners realize. Egg sacs can contain dozens, or even hundreds, of developing spiderlings. Leaving them behind results in another wave of spiders even after the adult spiders have been treated.
Removing webs also disrupts areas where spiders have already established themselves, making it less likely they'll rebuild in the same location.
Once the inspection is complete, technicians apply professional-grade residual products to areas where spiders move or hide.
These commonly include:
Instead of killing spiders instantly, these products remain active for a period of time, allowing spiders to come into contact with treated surfaces as they move through the property.
One of the biggest differences between professional and DIY spider control is that professionals don't just focus on the spiders.
Spiders are predators, which means they're there because food is available. If flies, ants, crickets, moths, or other insects remain active around your property, spiders will continue to find reasons to stay.
Reducing these insect populations often has a greater long-term impact on spider activity than treating spiders alone.
Spider control rarely ends with a single treatment.
Unlike ants or cockroaches, spiders don't eat bait, so bait-based treatments are generally ineffective. They also hide in places that are difficult to reach, such as wall voids, attics, crawl spaces, and behind stored items. In addition, egg sacs may continue to hatch even after adult spiders have been eliminated.
For these reasons, a follow-up inspection or ongoing pest management may be recommended for larger infestations.
There's no single product or treatment that handles every spider situation. Most professional approaches combine several methods, and which combination matters most depends on the species and the location of the problem.
1. Residual insecticide treatments: Applied along baseboards, window sills, door frames, and other pathways spiders travel, residual sprays continue working for a period after application, intercepting spiders as they move through the home.
2. Dust applications: For spiders hiding in wall voids, behind outlets, or in attic spaces, technicians often use insecticide dusts, which reach areas a liquid spray can't penetrate and require only small amounts to be effective.
3. Web removal: Physically removing webs and egg sacs is a low-tech but important part of treatment. It eliminates existing populations immediately and discourages spiders from rebuilding in the same spots.
4. Exterior perimeter treatments: Treating the foundation, eaves, and landscaping around a home's exterior reduces both spider activity and the insect populations that draw spiders toward the structure in the first place.
5. Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Rather than relying solely on chemical treatment, IPM combines inspection, prevention, and targeted pesticide use only where necessary. The EPA describes this approach as focused on reducing pest food, water, and shelter first, then using pesticides in a limited, targeted way rather than routine broad application.
For spiders specifically, this means addressing moisture and clutter issues alongside any chemical treatment, since spiders that lose their food source and hiding spots have less reason to stay even if some individuals survive treatment.
Whether or not you use professional treatment, prevention determines whether spider activity stays low over time.
The goal of professional spider control isn't simply to eliminate the spiders you see today. It's to reduce the conditions that allow future generations to survive. By combining targeted treatments, web removal, insect control, and prevention, professionals provide longer-lasting results than spraying spiders alone.
Consider calling a professional for spider control when:
If DIY methods aren't working, a professional spider exterminator can identify the source of the infestation and recommend the most effective treatment plan.
Will pest control get rid of spiders permanently?
Professional treatment reduces spider populations, but "permanently" depends on ongoing prevention. Since spiders can migrate in from outside and egg sacs laid before treatment may still hatch, most providers recommend periodic follow-up service rather than a single visit.
What smells keep spiders away?
Spiders tend to avoid strong scents like peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus oil. These can be diluted with water and applied around entry points and baseboards as a supplementary repellent, though they work best alongside, not instead of, other prevention methods.
Does spraying for insects also kill spiders?
General insect treatments can reduce spider activity indirectly by cutting off their food supply, and some residual products will affect spiders that cross treated surfaces. However, general insecticide treatments aren't a substitute for spider-specific methods like web removal and void treatments when an infestation is already established.
Are Spider Treatments Safe for Children and Pets?
Yes, when applied by a licensed pest control professional, spider treatments are generally safe for children and pets. Technicians follow label instructions, apply products only where needed, and recommend appropriate drying or re-entry times to ensure treatments are used safely and effectively.
Professional pest control can significantly reduce spider activity, but lasting results come from treating the root of the problem, not just the spiders you see. By combining targeted treatments, web removal, insect control, and preventive measures, you can keep spider populations under control and reduce the chances of them returning.
If you're dealing with recurring webs, frequent spider sightings, or an infestation that DIY methods haven't solved, it's time for a professional inspection. At SkeeterCide, expert technicians don't just treat spiders; they identify what's attracting them, eliminate the conditions that help them thrive, and create a customized treatment plan for long-term protection.
Contact SkeeterCide today to schedule your spider inspection and take the first step toward a safer, more comfortable home.
