Short answer: In winter, spiders persist indoors or in protected outdoor spots. Look for fresh, sticky cobwebs or single silk strands, small white egg sacs, dark ink-like droppings, papery shed skins, wrapped insect husks, and live spiders near warm, damp, undisturbed areas. Outside, egg sacs tucked in eaves are the main clue.

Indoors: key signs and places

• Fresh sticky cobwebs; dusty webs are old. Strands across walkways mean activity.
• Egg sacs: pea-sized white or gray silk balls in corners and under furniture.
• Droppings: dark, inky specks or drips on walls, trim, and floors beneath webs.
• Shed skins: thin, spider-shaped husks near webs or in storage areas.
• Prey remains: dry, wrapped insect shells below or inside webs.
• Live spiders: common in bathrooms, basements, utility rooms, window frames, and vents.

Outdoors in winter

• Egg sacs on eaves, soffits, behind shutters, and siding gaps.
• Harborage in stacked firewood, storage bins, and meter or hose boxes.
• Old webs in corners of porches, sheds, and under patio furniture.

Confirm and reduce activity

• Use sticky traps along baseboards and corners to verify presence.
• Vacuum webs and egg sacs; seal and discard the bag.
• Seal gaps at doors, windows, and vents; add sweeps and screens.
• Reduce clutter and humidity; run a dehumidifier in basements.
• Dim or change exterior lights to attract fewer insects (spider food).
• Store firewood outside; inspect before bringing pieces indoors.
• Call a pro if frequent sightings, bites, or high-risk species are suspected.

Quick answer: Seal entry points, remove webs, reduce indoor bugs, set sticky traps, and tidy indoors/outdoors; call a pro if activity persists.

• Seal gaps, add door sweeps and intact screens.
• Lower humidity, fix leaks, reduce clutter, store firewood outside.
• Use warm/yellow exterior bulbs or turn lights off to attract fewer insects.
• Vacuum spiders, webs, and egg sacs; empty the canister into a sealed bag outdoors.
• Place sticky traps along baseboards, corners, and near doors/garages/basements.

Seal and block entry

• Caulk gaps around windows/doors, baseboards, pipes, and cables; add weatherstripping and door sweeps.
• Repair torn screens; screen attic/crawlspace vents; add fine mesh to weep holes.
• Foam or caulk utility penetrations and foundation cracks.

Clean, declutter, and reduce other bugs (spiders’ food)

• Weekly dust and de-web ceilings, corners, and window frames.
• Store items in lidded plastic bins, off the floor; avoid cardboard piles.
• Seal food, wipe crumbs, take out trash; fix leaks and dehumidify to under 50%.
• Outdoors: trim plants 12–18 inches from the house, thin mulch, remove leaf/wood piles, keep firewood 20 feet away and elevated.

Remove, trap, and when to use treatments

• Vacuum is safest and fastest; for live capture, use a cup and stiff paper to release outside.
• Sticky traps reveal hotspots and reduce numbers; replace every 4–6 weeks.
• Repellents (peppermint/cedar) may help short-term; reapply weekly; they are not a cure.
• If needed, use a labeled perimeter spray on exterior foundation and indoor baseboards; follow labels, keep kids/pets away.
• Call a licensed pro if you see many spiders after 2–3 weeks, identify venomous species, or can’t seal entry points.