Where spiders live
Spiders settle in quiet, undisturbed spots: garages, sheds, closets, basements, window wells, eaves, and behind stored boxes. Outdoor lights draw insects, and insects draw spiders, which is why webs collect around porch lights and doorways.
How to get rid of them
- Remove webs and egg sacs with a vacuum or a long-handled brush.
- Declutter. Use sealed plastic bins and keep stored items off the floor.
- Seal gaps. Caulk cracks and fix door sweeps and weather stripping. Use fine-mesh screens on windows.
- Move woodpiles and rock piles away from the house.
- Reduce insects around lights and entryways.
- Vacuum regularly along windows, corners and furniture.
Black widows
The black widow is the spider of medical concern in Utah. Females are shiny black with a red hourglass on the underside and are about half an inch long. They build irregular webs in dark, sheltered spots. Wear gloves when you handle wood, boxes and debris.
When to call for help
If you keep finding spiders after cleaning up, or have black widows near play areas, see our spider control page. Spider and scorpion treatment is included with our pest control service.
Common household spiders
- Wolf spiders: larger, hairy and fast, and often found on the ground and in garages. They are often mistaken for more dangerous spiders.
- Cellar spiders: long, thin legs and loose webs in corners of basements and closets.
- Jumping spiders: small and quick, often seen on walls and windowsills.
- Black widows: shiny black with a red hourglass and found in dark, undisturbed spaces.
If you are not sure what you have, take a clear photo or catch the spider and call us.