Spiders can be rather persistent pests that can appear seemingly out of nowhere. If you have noticed spiders on your ceiling, you might be wondering why they are there. You might also be wondering how to kill them or perhaps how to humanely get rid of them.
If these are the answers you seek, you have come to the right place. This guide will tell you exactly why you have spiders on your ceiling and what you can do to get rid of them.
Let’s begin.
Table of Contents
6 Reasons why there are spiders on my ceiling
It is easier to deal with spiders on your ceiling when you understand exactly what attracts them there. Here are some of the reasons why there may be spiders on your ceiling:
1. Warmth
This is especially true during colder months. Most spider species cannot survive outside when it’s cold. They are attracted to warmth, which allows them to lay eggs in various areas of your home, such as warm sections of your ceiling. Once the eggs hatch, you get a spider infestation.
2. Humidity
Spiders are also attracted to areas with high levels of humidity and moisture. This is why you will notice there are more spiders in your basement, attic, and bathroom ceilings. A humid environment allows the spiders to lay their eggs, which leads to an infestation.
3. Standing water
If you have standing water somewhere in your house, such as in your sink or bathtub, spiders will be attracted to that area of the house. Spiders need water to hydrate and also to prey on the insects that are found nearby. Since many flying insects are also attracted to standing water, spiders will set up their webs on your ceiling in the room with standing water to trap these bugs.
4. Pests
If you have other pests in your home, they may attract spiders, who come to feed on them. Spiders are predators that prey on other pests, such as mosquitoes, fruit flies, flies, moths, cockroaches, and other bugs. When your house already has a pest infestation, spiders come in and build their webs to trap these pests and eat them.
5. Garbage
Since some pests like cockroaches and flies are attracted to food leftovers and general garbage, their presence in your home may also attract spiders. When you let garbage sit too long in your home, spiders will show up when insects attracted to the garbage appear.
6. Cracks and gaps in your ceiling
Cracks and gaps in your ceiling may also serve as the entry points for spiders in your home. When there are many spiders or spider webs on your ceiling, it is likely that the wall is cracked or damaged. Spiders will use even the smallest gaps to get into your warm space and lay eggs.
7 ways to get rid of spiders on the ceiling Without Climb on a Chair
Certain factors that attract spiders to your ceilings, such as humidity and warmth during cold months, are difficult to change. However, other factors are fully within your control, and there are many effective methods that you can use to get rid of spiders on your ceiling, usually without any direct contact. Here are some of them.
1. Vacuum cleaner
The best method to remove a spider from the ceiling without coming into contact with it is by using a vacuum cleaner. All you have to do is vacuum the spider, then empty the vacuum outside your house to get rid of it. This technique also works for webs and spider eggs on your ceiling.
2. Call the pest control
If you live in an area with a lot of poisonous spiders, or if you have identified the spider in your ceiling as one of the poisonous spider species, you may want to contact pest control. Consider leaving your house until pest control arrives and letting them remove the spider for you. Do not attempt to approach and remove a poisonous spider yourself because a bite from a poisonous spider such as the black widow, brown recluse spider, or hobo spider can be life-threatening.
Pest control will also help you take care of any potential eggs that could lead to a further poisonous spider infestation.
Pest control is also the right call if you are dealing with a complex spider infestation. For example, if you notice that you have a large number of spiders on your ceiling or if there are a lot of spider eggs or spider webs around your house, call pest control to permanently solve the issue.
3. Water and lemon juice mix
Lemon juice is acidic, which allows it to act as a natural spider repellent. Mix some water and lemon juice in a spray bottle and spray the spider and your ceiling around areas where you have noticed spiders.
4. Vinegar
Vinegar is another effective spider-repellent. You can use it all over your house to ensure that spiders avoid certain areas. To do this, make a mixture of one part water and one part vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray it on the spider and the ceiling where you have noticed spiders and spider webs. You can add essential oils to your mixture to make your house smell nicer.
5. Bug spray
Unlike natural spider repellents, bug spray will usually kill spiders on the spot. Using bug spray might be a good idea if you have a minor spider infestation that does not warrant calling pest control. Always use bug spray according to the recommended instructions, as it contains strong chemicals that may be harmful to you, your children, or your pets.
- One 15 oz can of Raid Multi Insect Killer kills bugs on contact, including ants, Asian lady beetles, boxelder bugs, carpet beetles, crickets, firebrats, fleas, silverfish, flies, fruit flies, non-biting gnats, hornets, mosquitoes, roaches, and spiders (except brown recluse and black widow spiders)
6. Boric acid
If there are spiders on your ceiling because of gaps and cracks in your walls, boric acid may be the most effective way of preventing their access through these cracks and gaps. You can also apply boric acid in dark, moist, potential spider nesting places to stop them in their tracks.
7. Smash the spider with a long-handled broom
By pushing the bristles up against it and swiping downwards. If the spider falls before you manage to kill it, smack it a few times until dead.
Note: This method may be more panic-inducing as there is a chance you’ll only knock the spider down instead of killing it immediately.
Should I worry about a spider on my ceiling?
In most cases, no. Spiders are generally harmless and pose no threat to humans. In fact, they’re actually beneficial because they help keep populations of other pests in check.
That said, there are a few spider species that can be dangerous. These include the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider. If you think you’ve spotted one of these, it’s best to take caution and contact a professional for assistance.
Benefits of not killing the spiders
Sometimes, killing spiders will do more harm than good to your home. Here are a few reasons why you may not want to kill the spiders:
- Spiders can help remove other pests and insects from your home, including mosquitoes, moths, flies, cockroaches, and other bugs. Spiders prey on these insects, reducing their population in your home.
- Some venomous spiders are harmful to interact with, making trying to kill them dangerous. To be safe, avoid trying to kill any spiders that may be poisonous.
- Spiders are an important part of nature and the indoor ecosystem of your home. They are also fellow organisms in their own right, which means you should try not to kill them when you can catch and release them.
Do ceiling spiders bite?
It is very unlikely for ceiling spiders to bite a human. They do not wander around, and once they find a place with abundant food, they will not leave the place. They prefer to sit in their webs and wait for prey to come to them.
The only reason that a ceiling spider, such as the common house spider, may bite you is if you provoke it by grabbing it, handling it, or pressing it against your skin.
Even if a ceiling spider bites you, it is highly unlikely that you will have a reaction to the bite. Common house spiders have venom in their fangs that they use to paralyze their prey. However, they have very tiny fangs, and the amount of venom in them is very little and not enough to affect the average human adversely.
If you are sensitive to insect bites, you may have a reaction to spider bites, including red bumps, rashes, or hives. This is an indication that you may be allergic, and you should seek medical attention immediately.
Can spiders fall from the ceiling?
It is very difficult for spiders to fall from the ceiling. Spiders have hooked appendages on their feet that they use to grip tiny irregularities on a surface.
They also have tiny hairs on the ends of their feet. These hairs are covered in smaller flexible hairs called setules. Setules end in a triangular-shaped tip. Spiders have millions of these setules on all their feet. Setules depend on forces called Van der Waal forces to sort of stick to whatever surface the spider is walking on.
Add all this to the fact that most ceiling spiders are very light, and it is easy to see why they can comfortably walk on the ceiling without falling off.
What do ceiling spiders eat?
Spiders are predators that eat bugs. They eat insects such as mosquitoes, flies, moths, cockroaches, beetles, and sometimes even other spiders.
Ceiling spiders eat most household insect pests, including mosquitoes, cockroaches, and fruit flies.
Spiders only eat what they kill themselves. This means that if you see a spider in your home, no matter how clean it appears, there is a food source. Spiders in your home indicate that there are other pests lurking about.
7 methods to keep spiders away from the ceiling?
1. Set spider traps
If you have a lot of spiders on your ceiling, you can set spider traps to help get rid of them. Spider traps are sticky glue traps that you place in high-traffic areas to catch and kill spiders. They are available in most home and garden stores.
2. Remove webs
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove spider webs from your ceiling. When you remove spider webs as soon as you see them, spiders will be less likely to make their home in such an environment.
- HAND-PACKAGED, NO SMASHED BRISTLES – bristles are big and full, not smashed like others. Cobweb Dusters are Hand-Packaged in San Luis Obispo, CA. Bristles are stiff but with enough give, perfect for cleaning those pesky outdoor spider webs.
3. Use peppermint oil
Peppermint oil has a strong scent that repels spiders. To use it, you must add 15 to 20 drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle full of water and spray it in areas where you’ve noticed spider activity.
4. Use vinegar
Vinegar is a great way to get rid of spiders without killing them. It is a natural spider-repellent. All you have to do is fill a spray bottle with a 1:1 vinegar-to-water mixture and frequently spray the areas that spider.
5. Install screens
Install screens to keep pests away if you often leave your doors and windows open. When fewer pests access your home, spiders will find it less attractive and will keep away.
6. Use insecticide
This is a great way to deal with a serious spider infestation without calling pest control. Store-bought insecticides will kill spiders instantly. Be sure to read all the instructions carefully and keep the insecticides away from kids and pets.
7. Clean your home regularly
A clean space will make it harder for spiders to find hiding spots, which will make them keep away.
Rethink your storage: Instead of using cardboard boxes, use airtight plastic containers to store your belongings. Besides keeping spiders away, such containers will protect your stuff from dust and moisture damage.
What attracts spider in your room?
There are many factors that can attract spider in your room. Some spider are attracted to light while some are seeking for food or water. It is important to keep your room clean and free of clutter to prevent spider from coming in.
Should I let ceiling spiders live in my house?
In some situations, it’s better to let ceiling spiders live in your house. Here are some of them:
- If you do not have a large infestation of spiders or have only noticed one or two spiders, consider letting them live in your house because they perform the important job of pest control.
- If you have a pest problem in your home, such as too many flies, mosquitoes, or cockroaches, spiders will help you control their population, so it may be worth letting them live in your house.
- If the ceiling spider you have in your house is one of the poisonous types of spiders, leave it alone and call pest control to help remove it. Approaching it may be dangerous.
- Spiders are also fellow organisms in their own right, which means you should try not to kill them when you can catch and release them.
How long will a spider stay in your room?
A spider can stay in your room for several months up to several years. They will stay longer if they have enough food and if you decide not to kill them. Spiders can also stay in your car for months at a time.
How long a spider stays in your room depends on how well it hides. Most spiders are very good at hiding, so you may not even know they are in your home until you see them.
Spider on ceiling spiritual meaning
- Spiders are among the oldest symbols. They represent mystery, power, and progress. In some cultures, they also represent creativity, creation, destiny, development, patience, and femininity.
- Some cultures also consider the spider to be a scary and repulsive animal. In such cases, they are associated with dark and negative energy.
- Spiders are also seen as symbols of obscure, mystical, and things that are difficult to understand. The spider’s web and its creation are also often seen as a symbol of manipulation.
- Spiders in the house have a dual meaning. To people with negative feelings towards spiders, it could be a sign of bad lack. But to cultures that think positively of spiders, spiders in the house are a sign of luck.
- Spotting a single spider in the house is a sign of creative potential. It symbolizes focus and patience, especially in getting a task done, just like the spider builds its web.
- A spider descending from the ceiling is a symbol of a new creative idea that will soon awaken in your mind.
- A spider on the wall will have different meanings depending on the direction the spider is headed. If the spider is climbing up the wall, it is a sign of luck, symbolizing that your ideas are going to be realized. If the spider is walking down the wall, it symbolizes avoidance, meaning that your plans are still not ready to be realized to the fullest.
- Seeing baby spiders in the house symbolizes a new relationship, possibly a new romantic relationship. They are considered lucky signs.
Does one spider mean more?
If you see a spider on your ceiling, it’s likely that there are more spiders nearby. Spiders often build their webs in high places like ceilings, so there may be other spiders lurking close by. If you’re worried about an infestation, it’s best to call a professional pest control company to take care of the problem.
Conclusion
There are spiders in almost every home, no matter how clean and spotless the house may appear to be. If you notice spiders on your ceiling, it is highly likely that certain conditions have attracted them to that location. Luckily, there are certain things you can do to get rid of them, as outlined above, usually without killing them. And if you do not mind having a tiny roommate, that’s great because spiders can be quite useful in pest control!
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How to Get Rid of Spiders in the Basement
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Last update on 2023-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
