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Should I Kill Spiders In My Home? Easier Said Than Done


Brown Recluse spider in the house
Brown Recluse spider in the house

You’ve just come home from a long day of work, and the last thing you want to deal with is a spider. But should you kill them or not? Here’s the dilemma: On one hand, spiders are creepy and can be dangerous if they’re disturbed. On the other hand, they eat other bugs, so they could be helpful in keeping your home pest-free. What do you do? Should you kill spiders in your home?

Yes, if you or your loved one is in danger from a poisonous spider, then you should kill the spider. Otherwise, spiders should not be killed when found in your home, as they serve the beneficial function of capturing nuisance pests and disease-carrying insects.

Despite their appearance, not all spiders are harmful to humans. Getting acquainted with different species of spiders is important when it comes to controlling their infestation and spread. Before going on a killing spider spree, knowing which spiders are worth killing and which are more beneficial to keep alive is important.

Types of spiders and how to get rid of them


Identifying the species that pose a problem in your home is important when thinking about controlling their spread and infestation. Some species can easily be killed off by a simple tap with a broom or anything at hand, while other types of spiders are deadly and best left alone.

Some of the common spiders found in houses include;

Cobweb spiders


Cobweb spider
Cobweb spider

These are commonly found in most households and are very tiny, measuring 3 to 10 mm long. They prefer to live in dark, dry, and protected areas. In your home, they’re most likely to be found in closets or the attic.

Most of these spiders are harmless to human beings and are known to be good pest controllers. However, they can themselves be considered pests as they form messy webs that may be an eyesore. The best way to rid yourself of these spiders should be regularly clean your home, paying special attention to where they may form the webs.

If any webs are spotted, they should be removed immediately. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum to kill off the spiders if you suffer from arachnophobia.

Black Widow Spider


Black widow spider
Black widow spider

These are notorious spiders that are identified by their hourglass-shaped marks on their abdomen. They are mostly found in areas with a temperate environment. These are some of the most venomous spiders, with venom 15 times more potent than a rattlesnake’s bite.

If bitten, one would experience muscle aches, nausea, and even paralysis of the diaphragm, making it difficult to breathe. In children, the elderly, and the infirm, the spider’s bite may be fatal. Fortunately, such fatalities rarely occur, and the spider is non-aggressive and only bites when threatened.

To avoid such confrontation, you should get rid of anything that may attract the spider to your house in the first place. The first step involves getting rid of their food supply, mostly insects. Do this by ridding the house of garbage and storing food properly.

Seal all openings in the house and use screens to protect your vents and windows. If you do spot one, ensure you put on protective clothing, such as gloves, before trying to kill it. But do remember that more are sure to follow where there is one. Therefore find their breeding source and destroy it. You can do this by vacuuming the webs that the females use to store their eggs.

Brown Recluse Spider


Brown Recluse Spider
Brown Recluse Spider

This is a very dangerous spider whose bite is venomous and leads to the destruction of blood vessel walls. This may result in a skin ulcer forming. The spider is identifiable by its dark violin-shaped design. The spider mostly lives outdoors in caves and burrows but can move inside to places undisturbed, such as storage areas.

Getting rid of this spider involves basic steps such as regular cleaning and vacuuming. If you do spot one, do handle it with care. You could also use common insecticides to handle the spider infestation, if any, in your home. Ensure, though, that these chemicals are environmentally friendly.

Brazilian Wandering Spider


Brazilian Wandering Spiders
Brazilian Wandering Spiders

This spider is considered the world’s deadliest spider. The bite from it is poisonous to humans as it affects the nervous system leading to symptoms such as salivation and irregular heartbeats. The spider can be identified by its defensive posture. This involves raising its front legs into the air. While it’s mostly found outdoors, it can easily be transported indoors.

Most females lay eggs in banana leaves, and these may find their way into your house by purchasing a banana with the egg sac. If they do mature and break out of the egg sac, an instant infestation problem is at hand.

In most extremes, this may require the services of a fumigator. Therefore to avoid such an unlucky fate, make sure to inspect the groceries before bringing them home.

Brown Widow Spider


Brown Widow Spider
Brown Widow Spider

This is an invasive species found almost in all continents. Bites from it are twice as potent as the black widow’s. The species mostly makes it dwelling in old tires, buildings, under cars, or in shrubs and bushes.

This type of spider can be eradicated through clutter management around the house. Ensure to keep the house is clean and organized at all times. If you suspect an infestation, avoid, if possible, walking barefoot, as bites mostly occur on the feet.

Final thoughts


Most of the spiders mentioned in this article are considered dangerous to humans. The good news is that most of these species prefer to stay away from humans, and they also act as natural pest control agents. However, if you have an infestation, you might want to control their numbers. The best way to do this is to maintain a clean home and keep the bugs away. The spiders, in turn, will leave to infest elsewhere.

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Melanie Asiba

Melanie is an author, and she enjoys traveling, reading, and trying out new things. In addition to writing for Apartment ABC.

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