Skip to Main Content

What You Should Know and How to Decrease Spider Activity


Although spiders can provide excellent insect control in and around the home, not many residents are willing to share their home with the little arachnids.  This often comes from fears brought on by stories and myths about spiders or simple by their unique appearance.  With eight legs and six to eight eyes depending on their species, it is easy to see how so many people have a dislike for spiders.  Numerous spiders call Colorado home and range in size from smaller species like jumping spiders right on up to the tarantulas of the southeastern portions of the state that are several inches in length.  Most residents however show the greatest concern towards potentially dangerous spiders like the black widow.

Decreasing spider activity in and around your home involves a couple of different aspects of control.  Both exclusion as well as habitat modification will assist in making your home less attractive to spiders.  Residents should however realize that even these methods alone will not guarantee that they will never see a spider at their home again; it simply reduces the populations at the site.  If you continue to see activity beyond your tolerance level, integrating a pest management plan with Mug-A-Bug may need to be your next course of action.  Remember, spiders prefer areas that are generally undisturbed and still have access to insects for feeding.

Exclusion:

  1. Check all window screens – repair or replace missing or damaged screens.
  2. Seal gaps around doors and windows – This is a common way spiders end up inside the home as they search for a sheltered area in which to hide or build their web.
  3. Check for gaps around utility penetrations like gas pipes, electrical or cables, if present seal gaps, cracks or crevices.
  4. Perform a general inspection of the exterior of your home looking for gaps or crevices that need sealed or vents that are not properly screened.
  5. Check doors including the garage door for weather stripping that is missing or needs replaced.
  6. Sheds and out buildings should also be inspected and sealed in this same manner.

Habitat Modification:

  1. Keep trees and shrubs trimmed back away from the home, especially those that are dense and provide increased insect activity.
  2. Avoid ground cover plants near the home as they provide hiding places for spiders and the insects they feed on.
  3. Wood piles should be kept away from the home and wood should be stored off the ground.
  4. Remove debris and leaf litter from under decks and in window wells.  Cleaning window wells on a regular basis will decrease insect activity and discourage spider activity.