As the warm days of summer come to an end and cooler temperatures set in, many homes across Colorado’s Front Range — from Wellington to Colorado Springs — begin to see an uptick in spider activity. Understanding how to get rid of spiders in your home is essential during this seasonal transition, as spiders become more visible indoors, seeking shelter and food. This article will explore why spiders are more active in the fall, what you can do to prevent infestations, and how to get rid of spiders in your home effectively.

The primary reason spiders become more noticeable in homes during the fall is due to their mating season. Male spiders become more mobile in search of mates, often wandering into homes unintentionally. While spiders may have been living quietly in the corners and cracks of homes all year, their increased activity makes them much more visible during fall.

In addition to mating, the drop in temperature encourages spiders to seek warmth and shelter inside buildings. Homes, garages, sheds, and basements all provide excellent protection against the harsh Colorado winter ahead. Even homes in cities like Fort Collins, which are closer to urban centers, are not immune to spider invasions. The presence of spiders doesn’t necessarily indicate a cleanliness issue but rather a natural process of survival.

Here are some of the most frequent spiders that homeowners encounter during fall in Colorado:

• Common House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum): This species is often found in homes across North America, including Colorado. It builds tangled webs in corners, basements, garages, and other undisturbed areas. The common house spider is small, typically brown or gray, with a rounded abdomen. While harmless to humans, it can become a nuisance when present in large numbers, as it actively preys on small insects inside the home.
• Wolf Spiders (Lycosidae): Known for their speed, wolf spiders don’t spin webs but instead actively hunt prey. They enter homes through gaps and cracks in the foundation or around doors.
• Black Widows (Latrodectus hesperus): Though more commonly found outdoors, these venomous spiders may occasionally find their way into garages or sheds. Their webs are irregular and usually near ground level.
• Cellar Spiders (Pholcidae): Often mistakenly referred to as “daddy longlegs,” cellar spiders are distinct from true daddy longlegs, also known as harvestmen (Opiliones). Cellar spiders build webs and have long, slender legs, but they differ from true daddy longlegs, which do not spin webs and have a more compact body structure.

If you’re experiencing an influx of spiders in your home, there are several practical steps you can take to reduce their numbers and prevent them from making themselves comfortable.

1. Seal Entry Points

One of the most effective ways of getting rid of spiders in your home is to seal potential entry points. Spiders often enter homes through cracks in walls, gaps in windows or doors, and holes in screens. Check around the exterior of your home and make sure to repair any damaged areas.

• Use weather stripping on windows and doors.
• Caulk any cracks around the foundation or window frames.
• Install or repair door sweeps.

2. Maintain Cleanliness

Spiders love dark, undisturbed areas, which is why they often inhabit basements, attics, and cluttered spaces. Keeping these areas clean and organized reduces the number of hiding spots available to them.

• Store items in plastic containers with tight-fitting lids rather than cardboard boxes.
• Regularly vacuum and dust to eliminate spider webs and egg sacs.
• Keep outdoor areas like sheds and garages tidy to prevent spiders from finding their way in.

3. Use Natural Repellents

If you’re looking for non-toxic ways to get rid of spiders in your home, certain natural remedies can be effective at repelling them. Essential oils, in particular, can deter spiders from entering your home due to their strong scents.

• Peppermint Oil: Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and spray around windowsills, door frames, and baseboards.
• Lavender and Tea Tree Oils: These oils also work well as spider repellents and can be applied similarly to peppermint oil.
• Cedarwood: Cedarwood chips or blocks can be placed in storage areas to deter spiders.

4. Eliminate Their Food Source

Spiders primarily feed on insects like flies, ants, and moths. By reducing the number of insects in your home, you can naturally limit the presence of spiders. Consider using a pest control service to reduce your overall insect population.

• Install screens on windows and doors to prevent insects from entering.
• Use insect traps in areas where insects are prevalent.
• Keep outdoor lighting to a minimum, as it attracts flying insects, which in turn, attracts spiders.

A close-up image of a Steatoda, or false widow, that loves to enter into Colorado homes.

While DIY methods can help control spider populations in your home, sometimes the infestation is too widespread for these measures to be effective. OBEX Pest Control provides comprehensive spider removal and prevention strategies. Here’s how OBEX can help:

1. Targeted Treatments

OBEX uses targeted treatments to not only eliminate spiders but also address the insects that serve as their food source. These treatments focus on both interior and exterior areas of your home, creating a barrier that keeps spiders out long-term.

2. Long-Term Prevention

Unlike over-the-counter remedies that may offer only temporary relief, OBEX provides long-term prevention. Fall is the perfect time to schedule these treatments, as it coincides with the spider’s migration indoors.

3. Expert Knowledge

OBEX professionals can identify the species of spiders in your home and use the most appropriate treatment methods. This ensures that dangerous species, like black widows, are dealt with properly.

To prevent future spider problems, it’s important to take proactive steps throughout the year:

• Remove webs immediately: As soon as you see a spider web, remove it. This discourages spiders from staying in that area.
• Outdoor Maintenance: Trim bushes, trees, and shrubs that are close to your home, as they can serve as bridges for spiders to enter.
• Lighting Adjustments: Since insects are attracted to light, switch to yellow bulbs or install outdoor lighting farther from your home.

As fall approaches across Colorado, getting rid of spiders in your home becomes a priority for many homeowners from Wellington down to Colorado Springs. By understanding spider behavior, taking preventative measures, and utilizing professional pest control services from OBEX, you can effectively reduce their presence. Staying vigilant with regular maintenance and treatments will help keep spiders outside where they belong.

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* Service does not include the control or prevention of wood infesting organisms such as termites, powder post beetles, wood borers, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, wood wasps, or wood decay fungus. OBEX will treat for wasp nests on homes; however, we do not guarantee for flying insects. See Pest Control Service Agreement for additional information and limitations.

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