Keep Your Home Free of Cellar Spiders: A Comprehensive Guide

Cellar spiders, also known as daddy longlegs, are a common household pest. While generally harmless to humans, their presence can be unsettling. Their numerous legs and erratic movements can trigger arachnophobia, and their webs, often found in dark corners, can create a feeling of uncleanliness. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to effectively keep your home free of these eight-legged inhabitants.

What Attracts Cellar Spiders to Your Home?

Understanding what draws cellar spiders to your home is crucial for effective pest control. They are primarily attracted to:

• Other Insects: Cellar spiders are predators, feeding on other insects like flies, mosquitoes, and moths. An abundance of these insects provides a readily available food source, making your home an attractive habitat.
• Dark, Damp Spaces: These spiders prefer dark, secluded areas with high humidity. Basements, cellars, attics, and crawl spaces are ideal environments for them to build their webs and lay eggs.
• Clutter: Excessive clutter provides numerous hiding places and makes it difficult to effectively remove spiders and their webs.

How to Identify a Cellar Spider Infestation?

Identifying a cellar spider infestation involves recognizing their characteristic webs and the spiders themselves.

• Webs: Cellar spider webs are irregular and messy, often described as tangled or chaotic. They are usually found in dark corners, behind furniture, and in seldom-used areas.
• Spiders: Cellar spiders are small, with long, thin legs and a relatively small body. Their legs are significantly longer than their body length. They are typically light brown or gray in color.

A significant number of webs and the frequent sighting of cellar spiders indicate an infestation.

How to Get Rid of Cellar Spiders?

Eliminating cellar spiders requires a multi-pronged approach that tackles both the spiders themselves and the factors attracting them:

1. Eliminate Food Sources:

This is the most crucial step. Reduce the number of insects in your home by:

• Regular Cleaning: Vacuum and dust regularly to remove insects and their eggs. Pay special attention to dark corners and crevices.
• Pest Control for Other Insects: Employ other pest control methods to eliminate flies, mosquitoes, and other insects that cellar spiders feed on. This can include insecticide sprays, traps, or natural repellents.

2. Reduce Moisture and Humidity:

Controlling moisture levels in your home will significantly reduce cellar spider habitat.

• Repair Leaks: Fix any leaks in pipes, faucets, or roofs promptly to prevent moisture buildup.
• Improve Ventilation: Ensure proper ventilation in damp areas like basements and attics using dehumidifiers or exhaust fans.

3. Declutter Your Home:

Removing clutter eliminates hiding places for cellar spiders and makes it easier to identify and remove them.

4. Physical Removal:

For small infestations, you can manually remove cellar spiders and their webs using a vacuum cleaner or a broom. Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag or broom contents immediately outdoors.

5. Chemical Control (Use with Caution):

While generally not necessary, chemical insecticides can be used as a last resort. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully and ensure proper ventilation. Consider using natural repellents such as peppermint oil or citrus sprays as safer alternatives.

What are some natural ways to deter cellar spiders?

Many people prefer natural pest control methods. Essential oils like peppermint and tea tree oil are known to repel spiders. Simply diffuse these oils or apply them to cotton balls placed in strategic locations. Diatomaceous earth, a natural powder, can also be effective in dehydrating and killing spiders.

Are cellar spiders dangerous?

While they are often mistaken for the more dangerous brown recluse spider, cellar spiders are generally harmless to humans. Their fangs are too small to penetrate human skin, and they are not considered venomous.

How can I prevent cellar spiders from returning?

Preventative measures are key to keeping cellar spiders away. Regular cleaning, moisture control, decluttering, and sealing cracks and crevices are effective preventative strategies.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the cellar spider population in your home and create a more comfortable living environment. Remember, a proactive approach is the most effective way to keep these spiders at bay.