Entering your basement and finding a bunch of spiders crawling around is enough to send anyone into a frenzy.

Apart from the fact that many homeowners say that spiders look bad and are scary, many of them might also be venomous. Even if they are not venomous, spider bites can be quite painful and itchy and might take a long time to heal.

Spiders often carry bacteria that can result in illnesses if you come in contact with them. I read a story about a teenager who got bitten by a spider. She then gave blood for an upcoming surgery she was going to have in which her own blood would be given back to her during surgery.

The problem is that spider that bit her had the bubonic plague. The plague replicated in the blood that was going to be used in the blood transfusion. When they started surgery and they started the blood transfusion she started crashing and almost died. You just need to be aware and watch after a serious spider bite to make sure that person is ok.

Additionally, your basement might also become a place for these pests to lay eggs and increase their population while also creating webs throughout the basement.

This makes it necessary to get rid of spiders in your basement. The following guide will take you through how to get rid of spiders in the basement and home using chemical and non-toxic solutions.

Prevention Measures

Prevention is better than trying to find a cure. Take a look at the following steps to prevent spiders from getting into your basement in the first place.

1. Sealing Entry Points

Basements can have many entry points through which spiders can get in. Make sure you seal the gaps, cracks, crevices, and openings in your basement with sealers or caulk.

2. Decluttering and Cleaning the Basement

Clutter and piles of items and trash are bound to have spiders hiding beneath them due to the protection they can provide to them. Remove such clutter and keep your home as clean as possible.

3. Use of Natural Deterrents

Natural deterrents for spiders include tea tree oil, eucalyptus, sandalwood, peppermint oil, and other essential oils. These are natural spider repellents and are strong smelling thus keeping the spiders away. Lemon juice, orange juice, and vinegar can also help. A natural spider repellent can work but there is no guarantee the strong scent will work.

Bottles with tea tree essence and green leaves on white background.

DIY Solutions to Get Rid of Spiders

Spider Kit
spider kit

Spider Control Kit

5.0

Keep your home spider-free with the new Spider Control Kit! This kit contains three professional products to help eliminate or prevent further spider activity.

The included Temprid FX liquid concentrate uses two active ingredients for long-term pest control, and CB-80 aerosol will take care of any immediate spiders on contact.

Monitor pesky crawlers using Catchmaster 100i Insect Monitors – essential in tracking treatment success over time!

Pros:
  • CB-80 Aerosol
  • 100i Insect Monitors
  • Temprid FX
  • Kills spiders quickly
Cons:
  • Its a pesticide so need to be careful when using

Chemical solutions to deter spiders and kill them include sprays and pesticides containing various synthetic ingredients like cyfluthrin and bifenthrin that result in various reactions within the spider’s body.

These can kill the spiders while also forming a barrier that repels other spiders once they realize the toxicity.

For instance, a Spider Control Kit listed above can provide you with everything you need and contains Temprid FX, CB-80, and Catchmaster 100i Insect Monitors.

Another option is the Tempo SC Ultra product that you should mix with water and spray around spider-infested areas in the basement. This can last you for up to three months. You will need a spray bottle or chemical sprayer to mix in and spray.

Pros and Cons of Using Chemicals

Some pros of using chemicals include:

  • These insecticides were made to get rid of spiders
  • Long-lasting results
  • Affordable and convenient since you can kill spiders on your own

There are some cons you should be aware of too. Let’s take a look at them below:

  • Possibility of chemicals wearing out after a point
  • These are chemicals that can be dangerous to humans if swallowed or if it gets on your skin

Safety Precautions and Tips for Using Chemical Solutions

  • Make sure you always put a mask and some gloves on before using and handling chemical solutions.
  • Try to prevent your pets and children from entering the basement as these solutions can result in poisoning.
  • Remove plants, food, or furniture present in your basement.
  • Provide some ventilation if you intend to spend time in the basement after spraying the chemicals.

Where to Spray Chemicals in the Basement

You should spray chemicals wherever you have spotted spiders running or scurrying around in your basement. Some common places include doorways, windows, cracks and crevices, corners, walls, baseboards, and near furniture.

spider in basement

Other Solutions

If you want more non-toxic solutions, consider the following options:

DIY Spider Traps and Bait

You can make your own spider traps and bait by using options like vinegar, peppermint oil, eucalyptus, or citrus since these help repel spiders while also killing them if there is contact.

Apart from these, you can also buy traps and baits online. The GreenWay Spider and Silverfish Trap, for instance, includes pre-baited and sticky traps that you can simply place in your home and wait for the spiders to get stuck to them.

The Catchmaster 288i Insect and Spider Trap is another option that comes with numerous boards and traps that contain food-grade molasses and adhesives to attract and then capture insects. All you need to do is place them in your basement and wait.

Hiring a Professional Exterminator

Professionals can help you clean your basement and get rid of spiders quickly and efficiently. Professionals have many ways to remove spiders.

Once they remove the spiders you can set up a pest control company to spray once a quarter or twice a year to maintain a bug-free home. My brother lives in the south and they have monthly pest services to take care of any other bugs around the home.

Maintaining a Spider-Free Basement

Once you get rid of the spiders in your basement, you must ensure that they do not return. Take a look at the following points to maintain a spider-free home.

1. Regular Cleaning and Decluttering

Simply cleaning and decluttering your basement once is not enough. You will need to carry this out regularly to keep the spiders away, especially after rains or repairs.

2. Continuation of Prevention Measures

Make it a point to continue undertaking prevention measures, such as sealing, making repairs, and using natural deterrents. This will result in long-lasting effects. Keep other bugs away because spiders eat bugs so if you do not have many bugs in the basement you will have fewer spiders.

3. Scheduling Regular Pest Control Services

Pests often find a way to make it into your basement despite your best efforts. You, your family, or your pets can also sometimes bring them in. Calling pest control services to inspect and clean your basement and house often will help considerably.

Where Do Spiders Hide in the Basement?

Spiders tend to hide in corners and gaps in the basement. If there is furniture or other small items that provide them with some cover, you are also likely to find them there.

wolf spider on a wall

Final Thoughts

If you spot spiders in your basement, make use of chemical solutions or non-toxic options to get rid of the spiders. Then, you can maintain the condition of the area while also taking steps to prevent the spiders from returning.

Keep yourself protected while handling these spiders, since many of them might be poisonous. Consider calling a professional if required, but make sure you manage the issue as soon as possible!

FAQ’s

What types of spiders like the basement?

Basements can be a haven for eight-legged friends! Our homes may offer sanctuary to spiders such as the black widows, cellar spiders, jumping spiders, black widows, and the mysterious brown recluse spiders. And while they might not seem like it at first glance, even wolf spiders are frequent visitors in the basements of homes along with other pests.

Where do spiders hide in a basement?

Basements can be a tempting refuge for spiders, with many dark and damp secluded areas to hide. From cracks in the walls or flooring to piles of debris like old newspapers, storage boxes, window sills in the home, window frames, and cardboard boxes, these critters have an abundance of options when selecting their cozy homes.

Additionally, spider webs provide a subtle shelter for them on shelves or behind furniture pieces that are not often taken note of – so it’s essential to clean regularly if you want to minimize your chances of hosting any uninvited guests!

Does white vinegar repel spiders?

Many people believe that white vinegar can help to keep spiders away due to its strong odor and acidic properties. Though there is some anecdotal evidence for this claim, asking science reveals a far murkier picture: studies have produced conflicting results, with limited scientific proof of vinegar’s effectiveness as an arachnid repellent.

Further research suggests that the complexity of spider sensory receptors may be so vast that it renders even natural remedies like vinegar unable to provide lasting protection from these eight-legged creatures!

Do spiders bite humans?

With 8-legged webspinners being so commonplace in daily life, it’s natural to wonder if they could be dangerous. Fortunately, the answer is a resounding ‘not usually’. Most spiders lack fangs strong enough and venom potent enough to cause any major harm when biting humans, and even those that do typically only bite as a defensive measure against perceived threats.

However there are some species of spider whose bites can have far more serious repercussions – such as black widows, brown recluses, and hobo spiders – making knowledge about these critters an important part of parented safety!