Spiders can be a nuisance to any household. Sure, they have some excellent characteristics that they possess and can even help with insect control in the home, but for the most part, we don’t enjoy seeing them roaming around our floors, counters or window sills. We also don’t necessarily want to go on a frenzy killing spiders off every opportunity we get for several reasons.
Ideally, finding a way to get rid of spiders without harming or killing them would be the best approach we can take. Luckily several approaches do exist, and you can take care of this task relatively easy in most circumstances. That’s why I want to cover here today how to get rid of spiders without killing them.
I want to explain in depth all the avenues you can use and take to get rid of spiders in your home, office or wherever it may be without harming them or killing them.
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Why Keep the Spiders Alive, to Begin With?
Believe it or not. Rushing to kill the spiders in your home or that occupy a space you prefer them not to occupy isn’t always the best solution. You see, spiders tend to provide more benefits than people typically give them credit for or at least provide more benefits than people even realize.
Let’s look at some of the reasons for killing all the spiders you come across isn’t always in your best interest.
Spiders Can Help Control Another Annoying Pest
First, let’s begin by informing you that spiders are not always your enemy. They can dramatically help reduce other pest and are a natural predator and help contain and control other nuisance insects and pest inside and outside the home.
Spiders are known to help manage the following pest:
- Roaches
- Mosquitoes
- Flies
- Moths
- Earwigs
I think we can all agree that none of the listed pests on our list is something we enjoy having around. Although we don’t want spiders roaming freely indoors as they please, keeping them alive and around can be very beneficial for this reason.
Spiders Can Eliminate Other Spiders
Spiders can also control the weaker and smaller spiders. Surprisingly enough, spiders don’t make friends with each other and share common likes and dislikes. Spiders, when given the opportunity will fight to the death.
Certain spiders are going to help eliminate the smaller pesky spiders that seem to roam in bunches and invade dark areas inside or around the house. Anytime you can control the total spider population, you should consider that the spider is more of a friend and not a foe.
Shockingly, Spiders Control Disease
Spiders, as shocking as it may sound, help control disease-spreading insects. The household pest that we mentioned previously is known to carry diseases that are apparently capable of spreading and causing health concerns in humans. Think of the mosquito as an example.
Spiders offer other benefits as well that are often ignored. Spiders can help pollinate plants and gardens simply by crawling around. Also, spiders feed other animals that we don’t necessarily mind being around such as birds and lizards.
Overall, spiders being around your home create a nice balance for all living organisms. I do agree; however, I don’t want them in my line of sight inside the house so I understand entirely what led you to google the best removal methods you can use.
Having a pest around even if you need to guide them out of the home, is not a bad idea for this added benefit. Think of the spider as a helpful and critical piece to the circle of life. Having them around, as scary, pesky and gross as it may be, helps our ecosystem function the way it’s designed to function.
Spiders Produce Value in Other Ways
You may not know this, but spiders have silk. The silk on spiders is used on many common items we see in our everyday world. Things such as airplane parts, a bulletproof vest, and even medical supplies. You can thank spiders for some of the materials needed to create these items. Not to mention the food they help produce for humans.
Think Farming, Reduced Spiders Could Cause Issues
We already know that spiders naturally prey on other insects. Well, other insects can be damaging to the agriculture world and more specifically, crop growing farmers.
Therefore, farmers must spend hundreds of thousands of dollars collectively to pay for insecticides and pesticides to be sprayed at controlled amounts of the crop fields.
Spiders are working behind the scenes to help remedy the situation even further. Spiders naturally eliminating other small insects on crops and other food sources we eat every day is a more significant benefit than you may believe.
It would probably take spiders going extinct to really see the benefits they provide now, but you can just take our word on it. Spiders are a natural way and natural deterrent to improving quality in our agriculture world.
Killing them off in masses may not be as beneficial as you think. This leads me to the entire point of this post. Let’s work together to find ways to get rid of spiders or remove them from home. Let’s also make sure that while doing so, we don’t kill them off and remove them from our environment completely.
It’s clear that doing so is not the best avenue to take.
How to Get Rid of Spiders Without Killing Them? 14 effective methods
#1 The “Guide the Spider Away” Method
This is straight forward and easy to understand. It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book. You are merely going to guide the spider out a window, into a cup or out a door.
- Regardless of where you are trying to guide the spider, you can use something such as a decently firm paper folder.
- Come up from behind the spider and just start giving them a nudge to exit outdoors or to an area where you desire them to be.
The biggest key that will make this easy to be sure to block the opposite direction. Assuming you are trying to guide the spider out the window, don’t be surprised if the spider attempts to dart the opposite direction.
If you block that path going the other way, you should be able to merely guide the spider in the direction you choose.
#2 The Old School Paper Cup Method
I think you know where I’m going with this one. The old paper cup trick.
- Take a paper cup
- Place it over the spider
- Then use a sheet of paper or another flat object to trap the spider as you remove it from the surface.
After you have the spider captured and removed off the original surface, you can simply take them outside or wherever you plan on releasing them. As easy as 1,2,3.
#3 The Broom and Dust Pan Method
If you don’t like the cup or guided method and prefer to keep some distance from the spider, take a broom and dustpan and sweep them up.
- If they are on the floor, this will be easy to accomplish.
- If they are on a wall or ledge, you can use a combination of the guided method and guide the spider into your dustpan as opposed to using the broom.
Once you have the spider in your dustpan, you can take them where you prefer them upon release. Problem solved.
#4 Vacuum the Spider Up Method
This is probably the least intimidating and easiest method on our list. Use the lowest power setting on your vacuum and suck that spider up. The low setting will prevent killing the spider, and the spider can be released from the vacuum bag or canister once they have been cleaned up and taken outdoors.
Take the bag or canister outside, empty it and you’re done. You didn’t have to make any contact with the spider and used minimal effort. A great option to remove spiders without killing them in case you haven’t considered it yet.
#5 Bag the Spider in A Plastic Sack
Depending on if you are trying to remove just one spider or spider sacks, you will want to approach this rather delicately. The easiest way to accomplish this is to use paper towels (several of them) to remove the spider sacks first.
- Holding the plastic bag, on the other hand, you can quickly grab the spider sacks and place them in the bag.
- The key is to avoid squeezing the sacks. If you do, you are going to be greeted by hundreds of baby spiders which is not ideal and defeats the entire purpose in the first place.
- Once you have the spider sacks in the bag, you need to be sure to seal the bag tightly.
After you are sure all spiders and sacks are removed and the bag is tied tight, you can place the bag outside in a garbage bin or other garbage like container.
#6 Use an Old Jar to Capture the Spider
This is a combination of the guided method and the paper cup method. Take an old jar and a few pieces of paper and capture the spider by guiding into the jar. Once you have captured the spider, seal the jar and take it outside and set it free.
A quick and easy way to remove spiders utilizing items that are already around the home.
#7 Use the Critter Catcher
The Critter Catcher is a newer method and tool you can use to catch spiders around the home. You won’t need any spray bottles or chemicals to get the job done and no additional items. It’s a tool made of soft bristles that collapse around the spider with a long handle.
Simple pull the handle on the Critter Catcher, walk the insect outside and release the handle trigger. This is a safe way to remove the spiders without harming or killing them.
The only downfall you may run into during the process will be small spiders may be challenging to catch tiny insects within the bristles but the typical household spiders that you would typically see, the Critter Catcher will have no issues capturing safely. You can find a good Critter Catcher here.
#8 Keep Your House Clean from The Get-go.
Keeping your house clean overall is another natural way to reduce the number of spiders in the home. Although this isn’t necessarily a removal method for the spider, it’s a natural deterrent that can help keep spiders away in the first place. Keep the home free of debris, plants, dirt, and trash, and you can help reduce the spider count dramatically.
#9 Essential Oils and Herbs
For this method you can either combine some of the essential oils and herbs to the spray bottle and mix with the peppermint oil we mention in the next recommendation. Doing this is known to help deter spiders due to the smell. Some other commonly used options that you can try can include essential oils such as the following.
- Eucalyptus oil (see here)
- Lavender oil (see here)
- Citronella
- Citrus
- Cinnamon
- Rose
- Tea Tree oil (see here)
#10 Peppermint Oil and A Spray Bottle Can Work Wonders
This is a home-based remedy you can try to help remove or deter spiders from home.
- The common practice is to fill an old spray bottle with peppermint oil
- Spray the corners, cracks and dark hiding areas of the house.
Many believe the odor alone drives the spider crazy. If you already have a spider problem, you can try strategically spraying the oil so that when the spider retreats in the opposite direction. You want it fleeing from the home and not to another indoor area of the house.
#11 Plants Can Help Draw Spiders In
Plants and vegetation are another natural attractants for spiders. Having plant decorations around the front porch or in window sills could be an open invite for spiders to start flocking toward your home and eventually searching for entry points and making their way inside.
Removing or limiting the number of shrubs, ivy, and other plants can help reduce your overall spider population.
Even landscaping items such as mulch can attract spiders. Plants and landscaping make great hiding areas for spiders, so the more that surrounds the home, the worst the problem will likely be for you.
#12 Sealing Your Home to Prevent Spiders in The First Place
Spiders are smarter than they appear. They are clever in their methods for finding ways into the home. Cracks and holes in the house can really be a quick entry point and make it easy for spiders to gain entry.
Sealing your home with caulk and filling gaps around doors and windows is an excellent step to reducing spiders in the first place.
You can also take other approaches such as caulking around the wire and electrical components. These all need to enter the home and leave your home exposed to spiders and other pest gaining entry.
You can also replace torn screens and cover other entry points such as vents and your chimney with a fine mesh screen. This will reduce the total number of spiders and other critters entering the home.
#13 Try to Avoid Other Insects to Avoid Spiders
Lights by themselves won’t attract spiders. However, lights do attract other bugs and insects. This, in turn, will attract spiders near the home. Keeping outdoor lights to a minimum or even garage lights off when you are not using them, can help reduce spiders in the general vicinity of the home.
Most home department stores even offer different forms of light bulbs and shading such as using yellow-tinted lights which can help reduce the overall number of insects that they draw in. Doing so should help keep the spider population at bay.
#14 Inside the Home Counts as Well
Don’t forget that inside the home counts as well. We want to avoid other insects inside the home to prevent spiders altogether. Spiders are not as big of a nuisance as you may think. They prey on other insects, and they fear humans.
If you don’t have large populations of other pest and insects inside the home, the spiders will eventually leave and look for the next best food source. Vacuuming regularly, ensuring other insects are controlled, and spider sacs are safely disposed of, will help keep your spider problem at bay for the long term.
If you notice a spider inside that’s not something more dangerous such as a black widow, it will do absolutely no harm to let the spider just go about his business. Just remember, they don’t like you either.
They won’t be trying to snuggle up with you in bed while sleeping like you may believe and are an essential part of the eco-system in your home, around your house and in general.
Other Techniques on How to Get Rid of Spiders Without Killing Them
Try to avoid all different scenarios where you may be attracting other bugs inside the home. Crumbs on the floor especially in the kitchen or where young kids may play is a place where debris tends to stack up.
Under couches and other furniture is another top spot where spiders may like to hide and search for other insects to prey on. Keeping all the nooks and crannies of the home clean will help remove spiders’ long term.
#1 Pets Can Help Control Spider Populations
You may not believe it, but your pets are doing more work for you than you may think. Pets, especially pets such as cats are great for controlling insect populations inside the home. In most circumstances, it’s more chasing and deterring spiders and other insects away.
Merely having an animal around will keep the spider population alive but most likely looking to hang out outside the home and avoiding your pets altogether.
#2 The Dryer Sheet Method
This is another method where you are using the power of scent to help keep spiders out of the home. You can place these around common hot spots where you know spiders can gain entry to the house helping to deter them from ever entering in the first place.
No need to remove them safely if they don’t come inside in the first place.
#3 Try Placing Chestnuts Around the Home
Chestnuts can serve as another repellent for spiders that won’t cause any harm to them. It’s merely going to keep them away from home.
The odor that is released from the chestnut is enough to get the job done. You will commonly see individuals using chestnuts and placing them on window sills or around other entry points to the home.
This could be a cheap and effective way to remedy your spider issue.
#4 Clean Around the Perimeter of Your Home
We touched on this about making sure perimeter lights aren’t used when they are not necessary. Other items around the house can help deter spiders as well.
Be sure firewood is kept away from the direct perimeter of the home as well as trash bins, large rocks and other hiding/dark spots that typically serve as spider communities.
The little changes you can make towards avoiding them in the first place, the less you must worry about safe removal tactics.
#5 Remember, They Are More Scared of You Than You Are of Them
This is another big topic to hit on just one more time. Everyone seems to rush to get rid spiders anyway possible, and I get it. They are scary, gross and we don’t want them around. However, we have touched on many benefits that they provide that many individuals may not have been aware of.
When you couple this together with the fact that spiders don’t come crawling on your face while you sleep may be a good reason to consider dropping the heavy artillery and leaving them alone.
Sacs of baby spiders should be removed to avoid a massive population of spiders around the home but spotting a spider from time to time is nothing to be terrified of immediately. They are essential for many reasons and serve a purpose to the balance of our homes indoor and outdoor ecosystem.
Should I Use Sprays to Remove Spiders?
In theory, yes you could use the spray, but it would defeat the purpose of keeping the spiders alive. Most of the time using commercially purchased sprays is going to kill the spiders. Also, it will kill other insects. Sprays can also be harmful to the individuals who occupy the home.
Therefore, when you have your home sprayed for bugs, they typically don’t recommend returning home for several hours or even up to 24 hours after the spray to ensure you won’t be harmed by the fumes or toxins. This also applies to your pets when you have pest control spray the perimeter of your home.
Pets are typically not allowed outdoors for a day in the area of the spray because ingesting any of the fumes or toxins could potentially harm or kill your dogs or other pets.
Long story short, you can use commercially purchased sprays, but don’t count on the spiders living, and if that’s your goal, that’s not the direction I’d recommend taking.
Will Vinegar Kill Spiders in My Home?
Yes, vinegar will kill spiders. It does work to control the spider population and mixing vinegar with water in a spray bottle can be useful. However, you’re likely to kill the spiders instead of removing them from home safely.
The vinegar is known to burn and ultimately kill the spider on contact due to the acetic acid contained in all white vinegar and vinegar in general. This is another method not recommended removing spiders without harming them.
Can I just Leave Them Alone and Not Do Anything?
Technically yes. We touched on this briefly before. It does depend on how severe the spider problem you have is, but if you have one spider that’s bothering you and you are terrified of using any of the safe removal methods, leaving the spider alone could be the easiest method.
Refer to the part of the post where we discussed how spiders are more scared of you than you are of them. If you aren’t dealing with a black widow or even a brown recluse spider, simply go about your business and forget about the spider. The odds of running into each other again are low.
Unless the spider has a web with baby spider sacs visible, you probably won’t cross paths again. If the spider does have sacs present, it’s crucial you remove these from home using the manners we discussed previously. Leaving these alone wills cause issues and plenty of baby spiders running around the house.
Putting It All Together: How to Get Rid of Spiders Without Killing Them?
At the end of the day, I’m sure you still want every spider out of your home for good. Clearly, it makes the most sense to get rid of them in a non-harmful manner. When you can safely remove spiders without killing them and place them outdoors, you can still reap the benefits of what they provide in the long term.
Protection against other pest, insects, and disease is a natural balance that will be maintained around the home. While removing them is always something that should be done, using the methods we have laid out for you here today should help you do it safely and without too much terrifying direct contact with the spiders themselves.
