Inside
Vacuum corners, baseboards, and behind furniture weekly. Reduce clutter. Store cardboard boxes in sealed bins. Shake out shoes and gardening gloves before use in known recluse range.
Outside
Move firewood, leaf piles, and debris away from the foundation. Trim vegetation back from siding. Switch porch bulbs to yellow 'bug lights' or motion sensors to reduce insect prey attraction.
References
- [1]Integrated Pest Management for Spiders - University of Minnesota Extension. Accessed June 2026.
Related in Control
- How to get rid of spiders in your homeEffective spider control is structural and habitat-based, not chemical.
- Do spider repellents work?Most commercial and folk spider repellents - including peppermint oil, ultrasonic devices, and chestnuts - have little to no evidence of efficacy in controlled studies..
- Integrated pest management for brown recluse infestationEstablished Loxosceles reclusa infestations in homes and outbuildings require a combined sticky-trap monitoring, exclusion, and targeted application program.
- Exterior perimeter treatments: limits and best useResidual exterior perimeter sprays have modest efficacy on spiders compared to insects.
- When to call a licensed pest control professionalRoutine indoor spider sightings rarely require professional treatment.
- Outdoor lighting and spider densityBright white outdoor lights attract flying insects that in turn support dense spider populations on the building's exterior.