Best Ways to Stop Spiders from Coming Inside During Fall

 

When autumn arrives, spiders naturally look for warmer places to survive. Your home often becomes their target. The most effective way to keep spiders out is to prevent their entry by sealing up your house and removing things that attract them.

 

Seal Up All Entry Points

 

Spiders enter through very small gaps. Inspect your entire home carefully, especially around doors, windows, basements, and rooflines.

• Use caulk to fill cracks in walls, foundations, and around windows and doors.
• Check door sweeps and weather stripping; replace or fix if worn out.
• Repair or replace torn window screens and make sure chimney flues are closed unless in use.
• Install fine mesh screens in attic vents and around crawl spaces.

 

Reduce Outdoor Attraction and Hideouts

 

Spiders are drawn to areas with shelter and food. Clearing these around your home reduces their numbers near entry points.

• Trim plants, shrubs, and trees so they don’t touch or hang near your house.
• Move wood piles, compost, rocks, and stored items several feet away from foundations and entries.
• Remove leaf litter and clean gutters regularly.
• Keep exterior lights off when not needed. Lights attract other insects, which spiders feed on.

 

Clean Up and De-Clutter Inside

 

Spiders love quiet, cluttered spaces to build webs.

• Dust and vacuum along walls, basement corners, window sills, and under furniture regularly.
• Reduce clutter in basements, attics, and storage rooms. Store items in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes that spiders can hide in.
• Frequently check and clean behind appliances and in closets, especially if they are rarely used.

 

Remove Spider Food Sources

 

Spiders come inside to find insects to eat. By removing these, you make your home less inviting.

• Keep food in sealed containers and clean up crumbs or spills right away.
• Take out trash regularly and make sure bins have tight-fitting lids.
• Fix leaky plumbing and clean up standing water to avoid drawing in insects like flies and ants.
• Replace exterior white bulbs with yellow "bug lights," which attract fewer insects and therefore fewer spiders.

 

Use Safe Repellents and Interventions

 

Some products and natural options can help when combined with other steps.

• Spray diluted vinegar or peppermint oil along window sills, doorways, and baseboards (spiders dislike the smell).
• Use sticky traps in corners or near suspected entry points, but keep them out of reach of children and pets.
• If infestation is severe, consider a professional pest control service that uses safe, targeted treatments.

 

Regular Inspection is Key

 

Check your home in early fall, and revisit these steps a few times each season. If you keep up with prevention and maintenance, you'll dramatically reduce the chance of spiders moving inside for the winter.