It doesn’t matter whether your attic is the place where you’re storing holiday decorations or your personal space away from the kids, the last thing you want is to find an attic spider.
I agree, there’s nothing more terrifying than dealing with a spider infestation.
If you’re concerned about getting spiders in attic spaces or your ceiling, or already have them, this article is for you.
We’re going to go over everything you need to know about spiders in your attic.
This includes determining whether you have a poisonous attic spider infestation, eliminating an infestation, and preventing spiders from turning your attic into their cozy home again.
First, you need to see if you have a poisonous attic spider infestation.
How do you do that? I’m going to tell you.
How to Tell If an Attic Spider Is Poisonous
Once you see an attic spider in your home, it’s important to determine what type of spider it is.
Why do you care?
Some spiders will do you no harm. Others may be harmful if they feel that you’re a threat.
Most of the spiders in your attic are not poisonous. But some, such as the Brown Recluse spider, may bite you, and it’s going to hurt.
Brown Recluse spiders are commonly found in our homes, but how do you know if you’re dealing with a Brown Recluse spider infestation?
Brown Recluse Spiders In Your Attic? What You Need to Know
Brown Recluse spiders are very common, especially when you have an attic spider.
How to identify one?
They are brown in color and shaped similar to a violin. Their color and shape make them easy to identify compared to other spiders.
These spiders like to stay in areas that are dark where they won’t be bothered. This makes the attic ideal for them.
Brown Recluse spiders are not poisonous, but their bite can do damage. It can kill skin tissue around the bite. Because of that, it’s best to see a doctor if you get bit.
8 Effective Tips on How to Get Rid of Spiders in Attic
It’s important to learn how to get rid of spiders in your attic.
These tips are going to help you eliminate your spider infestation.
1. Call an Exterminator for Poisonous Spiders
Laying out spider traps and powder can help with this problem.
But ask yourself…
Do you really want to be the one poking around the attic to determine if there are more spiders, though? Instead of getting up close with these dangerous animals, it’s sometimes best to leave it to the professionals for poisonous spiders.
2. Use More than One Method
You need to use a combination of the methods here to get rid of spiders in your attic.
For example, using an insecticide is a great idea, but some spiders will survive these treatments.
Because of that, you’ll want to use other methods to make sure that you properly eliminate the infestation.
Make sure that you use all of the following tips to get rid of your attic spider problem.
3. Persistence Is Key
Spider infestations require more than one treatment. Spraying your house one time is not going to eliminate the problem.
Expect to apply treatments at least three times to make sure that all of the spiders are gone.
4. Use a Vacuum to Suck up Spider Webs
Before vacuuming, make a mental note of the location of the spiderwebs.
Then, use the hose on your vacuum to suck up all of the spiderwebs that you can find.
Empty the vacuum into a small plastic bag or trash bag. Tie it closed and put it in your outside trash can immediately.
5. Spider Traps Can Help
Spider traps are basically glue traps. Once the spider attempts to crawl through them, they’re trapped.
These work well for catching spiders that you missed with other methods.
Spider traps are extremely useful for determining whether or not you still have a problem. Put them in the attic after treating them with other methods to find out if any attic spiders are still around.
6. Insecticide Is Critical tor Eliminating an Infestation
If you truly want to clear your attic space of all spiders and their food sources, an insecticide is necessary.
I use Demand CS. It kills every pest you’re likely to run into, including spiders.
You can find it online on Amazon. I still spray my attic space as a preventative measure.
Spraying your house for DIY pest control is pretty simple. You just need a small sprayer, which is available for under $20.
Most people can use a one-gallon pump sprayer fine.
This video shows you the basics:
Simply mix the insecticide inside the sprayer according to the directions. Use the sprayer to treat all cracks, crevices, corners, baseboards, and anywhere else that you see pests or suspect they can hide.
The insecticides mentioned above last for thirty days. They can also be used outside for perimeter protection.
Natural Alternatives to Insecticides
It’s understandable if you prefer to use natural remedies. There are several methods you can use in lieu of pesticides. These include:
- Spraying vinegar
- Spraying areas infested with spiders with citronella, peppermint, cinnamon, or citrus oil
- Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the floor, and in cracks as you would boric acid
- Repel spiders by planting lavender outside of your house
These home remedies for spiders can eliminate and prevent attic spider infestations.
7. Bug Bombs Can Make the Problem Worse
I came across the advice to use bug bombs to eliminate spiders quite a bit.
Bug bombs work by releasing a large number of chemicals into the air at once.
They can help get into tiny cracks and crevices, which makes them appealing.
But here’s the problem…
The pesticides that are released don’t get underneath, inside, and behind everything.
They don’t get into a cabinet and instantly fill the entire cabinet with pesticides. Because of that, you’re bound to miss areas.
And there’s more!
If the attic spider is not killed on contact, it will run. Some of them are bound to survive. Because they can no longer live in the attic, they will spread throughout the rest of the house.
8. Does Boric Acid Kill Spiders?
Yes, it does! This environmentally friendly version of pest control can help get rid of quite a few pests.
Keep in mind that spiders have eyes, so it’s best not to leave a large pile of boric acid on the ground. They will crawl around it and avoid contact with it.
Instead, layer the attic floor with a fine dusting of boric acid. Put boric acid into cracks and crevices.
Interesting fact:
Spiders do not groom themselves as insects do. However, they do lick their legs to coat them with an anti-adhesive.
This is why they don’t get stuck in their own spiderwebs.
When the spider licks its legs, it will ingest the boric acid it picked up and die.
How to Avoid Getting Spiders in the Attic
Once you’ve eliminated the attic spider infestation, it’s important to make sure that you don’t get one again.
How do you do that? By following these tips.
Declutter Your Attic
My attic is used as an extra storage space. I have a horrible habit of throwing things up there that I don’t use but don’t want to get rid of.
Clutter makes an attic and your home more inviting for spiders. There are plenty of places to hide!
Take the time to de-clutter your attic. Either remove excess items or get them organized into plastic storage containers you can seal with air-tight lids.
Continue Using Insecticide Both Inside and Outside
Use your sprayer and insecticide to coat the perimeter around the outside of your house. Then, spray along the exterior walls of your attic as well.
If any spiders make it through your outdoor perimeter, the pest control methods inside will kill them.
Decluttering and insecticide will go a long way in preventing an attic spider infestation, but you also need to apply these treatments.
Seal Cracks in the House
Spiders got into the house because there was a crack or hole for them to get inside through.
Use caulk to seal cracks and fill in gaps to prevent pests from making their way inside.
Eliminate Other Pests Spiders Use for Food
Spiders feed on insects. It’s common to find them in areas where other bugs are present.
Once you eliminate their food, spiders won’t like your house as much.
FAQ
How do Spiders Get in My House?
Spiders get into your house through small openings, such as the chimney or under doors.
It’s also common for them to crawl through open windows.
How to Keep Spiders out of the House?
Put mesh screens on all open windows and make sure there aren’t any holes or separation of the screen from its frame.
Spray a barrier around your house using insecticide. Clean up brush and other clutter in your yard that spiders might use as a home.
Place spider traps underneath your front and back porch.
Does Killing a Spider Attract More?
No, killing a spider does not attract more.
If you leave the body of the spider, other spiders might eat it, though. Then, thinking your house has food, they will make themselves at home.
This only happens if spiders are already in your house.
In Conclusion
Finding out that you have an attic spider infestation can be alarming. First, make sure that you have an infestation.
Determine whether you are dealing with a common house spider or a poisonous spider to decide if hiring an exterminator is a safer option than handling this yourself.
Then, implement a variety of solutions to make sure that you get rid of every attic spider.
Finally, you have to use preventative methods to make sure that you don’t have to deal with attic spiders again.