Independent guides — we are not an exterminator. If someone has trouble breathing after a sting, call 911. Safety basics

Spiders & Crawlers · Pest guide

Spiders control

Mostly harmless and useful, but brown recluses and black widows need care.

Start here: How to Get Rid of House Spiders (2026 Guide) When to call a pro

Spiders at a glance

Scientific name
Order Araneae
Size
1/16 to 3 inches including legs (2–75 mm)
Appearance
Eight legs, two body parts; brown recluse has a violin mark, black widow a red hourglass
Where found
Basements, garages, corners, window frames, woodpiles
  • Health riskModerate
  • Property damageLow
  • Do it yourself?Usually DIY
When spiders are active Peak: Jun–Sep
  1. Jan Low
  2. Feb Low
  3. Mar Low
  4. Apr Active
  5. May Active
  6. Jun Peak
  7. Jul Peak
  8. Aug Peak
  9. Sep Peak (this month)
  10. Oct Active
  11. Nov Low
  12. Dec Low

Low Active Peak This month

Signs to look for

  • Webs in corners and window frames
  • Egg sacs in quiet spots
  • More spiders where other insects are plentiful

Call a professional when

  • Brown recluse spiders found indoors repeatedly
  • Black widows near where children play
How to choose a pest control company

Safety first

Seek medical care for a bite that spreads, blisters or causes cramps, fever or sweating.

Spiders: removal guides

1 guide

Step-by-step plans to get rid of a pest, from DIY methods to professional treatment.

Adult female black widow spider

Spiders · Removal

How to Get Rid of House Spiders (2026 Guide)

· 8 min read

Keep spiders out

  1. Vacuum webs and egg sacs
  2. Seal gaps around doors and windows
  3. Switch outdoor lights to yellow bulbs to attract fewer insects
  4. Move woodpiles away from walls

Often confused or found together

All spiders & crawlers
Scorpions Southwest homes: sealing entry points, black-light checks and sting first aid. Centipedes Fast house centipedes are a sign of damp and of other insects to eat. Ants Trails in the kitchen, mounds in the lawn and carpenter ants in damp wood.
Photo credits

Thank you to Ryan Hodnett, Shenrich91 and Nahushraj for sharing these beautiful photographs and helping bring this guide to life.

Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 3.0