It’s Spider Season in Your House! Evict Them With This Easy Arach-Attack Hack

Spiders. You hate ’em, right? Of course you do. Unless you’re one of those arachnid apologists who says insufferable things like, “spiders are good for the environment and reduce the number of flies and other unwanted insects in your house,” then you live by the sane person’s credo that the only good spider is an unalived spider.

Not to make your skin crawl, but guess what? The likelihood of a spider incursion in your house is highest right now. Timing varies by climate and region, but the Halloween spooky season is also the high season for spider sightings in homes, running about two months in late summer and early fall and peaking in October.

The reason? It’s not to escape the encroaching cold, as many believe. The truth is much more unsettling. It’s because it’s (eek!) spider mating season. Yes, in addition to seeking prey in damp, dark residential recesses, they show up at your house like your kid’s prom date to engage in creepy-crawly courtship. And then — like eight-legged Aphrodites making itsy-bitsy spideys — the more the scarier, as their reproductive cycle plays out under your roof.

“Spider season typically begins as summer transitions into fall, when many spider species reach maturity and become more noticeable,” according to Terminix. “During this period of increased spider activity, mature spiders emerge in search of mates, leading to more frequent sightings around homes and gardens.”

Want to snuff out spiders in your home? Put this extremely easy six-step spider-slaying hack on your bucket list.

Here’s what to do:

1. Grab a bucket and some liquid dish soap.

2. Fill the bucket with warm water.

3. Pour a half-cup of dish soap into the water.

4. Place the bucket near the spot you most often see spiders.

5. Leave it there until spiders climb inside, get trapped in your death-detergent moat and perish.

6. Once those critter corpses accumulate, empty the bucket, rinse and repeat.

Or you could just leave the bucket there as a warning to other uninvited guests that your house isn’t an arachnid Airbnb. It’s a hostel — they can check in, but they can’t check out.

Here are some reasons why you should try this method:

• It’s a simple DIY spider trap using readily available household items.

• Dish soap kills spiders by breaking down their exoskeleton.

• It’s a non-toxic method that’s safe for indoor use.

• This trap works best in spider-infested areas like basements, garages, attics, cellars, sheds and crawlspaces.

Of course, the best way to control the spider population in your house is to keep them from coming in in the first place. Here are some pest control recommendations that can help reduce the number of spiders in your home:

Don’t Feed the Spiders

They say the way to your lover’s heart is through their stomach, and the same goes for spiders. Avoid sending out the wrong signals by locating potential food sources and eradicating them. For example, if you have drain flies or fruit flies, address the problem promptly to avoid enticing spiders with a tasty meal.

In addition, Orkin advises limiting unnecessary outdoor lighting.

“Many insects are drawn to light, and spiders will follow the food,” the pest-control company warns. “Turn off porch lights when not in use.”

So Long, Spiderwebs!

Webs are like little arachnid ADUs, allowing spiders to live rent-free inside your house. If you notice spiderwebs, get rid of them as soon as you can. Spiders will take the hint and migrate elsewhere if they continue to lose their webs.

Access Denied

Since spiders can enter your living space through tiny cracks and crevices, you'll want to eliminate any visible openings. Use caulk or putty from your local hardware store to fill in wall cracks; mend holes or tears in screen doors; and seal gaps in your doorways, windows, foundation and places where wiring or pipes enter your home.

Clean Up Clutter

Dusty old cardboard boxes, assorted junk and other accumulated clutter in basements, garages and attics offer attractive places for spiders to hole up. That’s in addition to attracting roaches and other insects to nest in those spaces — increasing your pest problem while ringing the dinner bell for spiders. Cleaning up these junky areas will help prevent this.

Protect Your Perimeter

Firewood piles and overgrown bushes or other vegetation that touch the side of your house can also cause problems. They provide welcoming spots with plenty of places for spiders to hide. Trim back shrubbery and excess flora, and move firewood away from your home's immediate exterior.

Scent Them on Their Way

There’s evidence that spiders are repelled by certain natural scents and essential oils like lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint and tea tree. Adding a few drops of any one of these oils and spraying around your home's perimeter and near potential entry or access points like door frames and windows may help ward off web spinners. If using essential oils, it's important to follow safety protocols such as diluting them per manufacturer instructions and keeping them away from children and pets, as well as avoiding contact with skin or eyes.