How to get rid of brown recluse spiders

Key points

• Insecticides are often ineffective against brown recluse spiders on their own, necessitating a holistic approach that includes removing food and shelter.

• Sticky traps and residual dusts can help thin out brown recluse spider populations.

• Check used furniture and other items for spiders or egg sacs before bringing them inside.

Brown recluse spiders are venomous — bites from these pests can lead to illness, tissue necrosis and, in rare cases, death. As their name suggests, brown recluse spiders often reside in undisturbed areas of the home, particularly if there is a nearby food source. While they’re not known to be aggressive, they can bite if you disturb them.

The best way to get rid of brown recluse spiders is to “remove potential harborage sites, control insect population levels that act as a food source and precisely treat with a registered [insecticide],” said Jim McHale, certified entomologist and CEO of JP McHale Pest Management in Buchanon, New York. 

It’s tempting to jump right to spider repellents and sprays to kill the spiders, but these often aren’t a stand-alone solution. “Pesticides are not always effective because spiders can use their long legs to walk over the chemicals,” said Jeremy Bradley, training manager at Arrow Exterminators, a pest control company that services the southern U.S.

“Some homeowners find success with sticky spider traps and fumigation, [but] working with a pest management professional can help you determine the best solution for your situation,” Bradley said.

Here, we outline the best ways to deter brown recluse spiders, DIY methods for clearing them out and professional pest control solutions for severe infestations.

What are the best ways to get rid of brown recluse spiders?

Also known as the violin spider for the characteristic marking on its back, the brown recluse spider will bite if threatened, causing a large, painful sore that heals slowly. If you notice brown recluse spiders in your home, your best bet is to call in a professional.

A pest management expert will likely use a combination of treatments for the best results. “I would take an integrated pest management approach,” said McHale. “Eliminate [hiding places], exclude avenues of entry, control feeding targets and treat precisely,” he continued.

Here are a few methods that work well to get rid of brown recluse spiders.

Sticky traps

Sticky traps placed where brown recluse spider activity is noted or suspected is another effective removal method.

Pros will place sticky traps where you believe there’s spider activity. Given that brown recluse spiders prefer secluded areas, the following areas might be suitable for placement:

• In closets you don’t use frequently
• In attics, crawl spaces or basements, especially around items in storage
• Along baseboards
• Under and behind furniture

Professionals often use sticky traps to eliminate some of the spider population and monitor other extermination efforts. The number of spiders on the traps helps indicate the severity of the infestation.

Pyrethroid sprays

Insecticides containing pyrethroid can kill brown recluse spiders on contact, making them an effective tool in thinning out the spider population in your home. A typical spraying from a professional won’t kill all of the spiders, but any that come in contact with the residual spray will perish. Insecticide sprays are useful but unlikely to solve your problem alone.

Your pest management professional will often apply the spray around the perimeter of your foundation to prevent new spiders from entering. This will reduce the general insect population in your house, which can reduce the food source for existing brown recluse spiders — including silverfish, crickets and cockroaches.

Residual insecticidal dusts

Dusts containing insecticides can be another helpful tool for a pest control professional. These can be applied in areas a spray can’t reach and provide longer-lasting protection than pyrethroid. They’re a good option in attic spaces, behind walls and around the perimeter of unfinished basements or crawl spaces.

Like sprays, dusts will reduce the spider population and kill off other insects that come in contact with it, limiting the food source for brown recluse spiders.

Are there DIY solutions to brown recluse spiders?

You can try a few DIY options to get rid of brown recluse spiders. However, due to these spiders’ venomous nature, we recommend using them alongside professional services, especially for substantial infestations.

DIY sticky traps

You can make sticky traps using yellow index cards and petroleum jelly or rubber cement. Place them lying flat in areas where you’ve seen spider activity, or in secluded places where you suspect spiders are active.

Check your traps once per week to see how effective they’ve been, and replace them with new ones as needed. Always wear gloves when removing sticky traps, and keep pets away to avoid accidental spider bites.

Essential oils

Essential oils, including lemon oil and peppermint oil, are sometimes cited as natural repellents for brown recluse spiders, but little evidence supports this. Research published in the Journal of Economic Entomology showed that lemon oil is ineffective as a spider repellent but that peppermint oil and chestnuts deterred some female spiders. 

However, studies show that natural substances, such as cinnamon, can potentially deter other types of insects, which could help thin out food sources for brown recluse spiders in your home. Citronella and eucalyptus oils, for example, are registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the repulsion of mosquitos, ticks and other insects. While they won’t repel spiders per se, they will keep their dinner away.

“Essential oils will repel [brown recluse spiders] for short periods,” said McHale, “[similarly to] diatomaceous earth. [But] a holistic approach including exclusion, food source elimination and reducing harborage sites is your best option.”

How do you prevent a brown recluse spider infestation?

Since brown recluse spiders are challenging to get rid of and demand a multifaceted approach, avoiding an infestation in the first place is ideal. There are a few things you can do to keep spiders away.

Practice general pest control

The presence of other insects can entice brown recluse spiders to enter your home, set up nests and breed, so spider control often involves general pest control.

“Brown recluses are attracted to the presence of insects and arthropods, which they hunt and eat; routine pest control can have a big impact by eliminating these other pest problems,” Bradley said.

Hire a pest control professional for general treatments to eliminate food sources before you have a spider problem. Perimeter applications can keep spider food — including crickets, moths, flies and cockroaches — at bay.

Clear debris and clean often

Another way to prevent brown recluse spiders from residing in your home is to keep it clear of clutter and debris. These spiders prefer to nest in undisturbed areas, often in storage boxes or piles of debris in crawl spaces, basements, attics and behind furniture. 

“For a natural approach, general good housekeeping and lawn maintenance practices will help prevent brown recluses,” Bradley advised. “Reduce available sources of food, water and shelter.”

Here are a few tips:

• Tape shut any storage containers or boxes
• Remove clutter and clear away piles of debris
• Move and vacuum under and behind furniture regularly

McHale also stressed the importance of reducing hiding places outside your home. “[Keep] wood piles far from your foundation, reduce vines and vegetation around the exterior of your structure, keep closets clutter-free [and] eliminate dust and insect activity,” he advised.

Check secondhand items

In some cases, brown recluse spiders make their way into your home when you bring in used furniture or other belongings that house spiders. You should always thoroughly check any used or antique items you purchase before bringing them inside.

“Interestingly, female brown recluses mate just once to produce eggs throughout their lifetime, and they can produce several egg sacs each year,” Bradley explained. “This means just one female can establish an infestation. Inspect items before bringing them to new locations to ensure you don’t accidentally introduce a brown recluse or egg sac to your home.”

Limit entry points

Perhaps obviously, closing up small entry points will prevent spiders from making their way inside (and other bugs, too). Seal gaps around foundations, doors and windows with caulk. “Remove entry points like small openings, cracks and crevices, [and] seal cracks around electrical wires and plumbing,” Bradley added.

What’s next?

If you live in an area where brown recluse spiders are common or you’ve had a sighting or two, take preventive action by sealing boxes and containers in storage with packing tape and clearing out debris piles inside and outside your home. Eliminating hiding places is your first line of defense. 

Thoroughly vacuum your living space to remove spider webs and dead bugs that could serve as food.

Given how difficult it is to kill off spider populations and how dangerous bites from brown recluses can be, we recommend getting help from a professional pest control company if you have an active infestation. Attempting to declutter spaces where these spiders are taking residence can disturb them and trigger their instinct to bite you.

Speak with an expert in your area about perimeter treatments for spiders and other pests. You can also ask them to inspect your home, lay down glue traps and make recommendations for naturally reducing the spider population going forward.

Finally, consider getting a quote from the expert for ongoing pest control services. Keeping crickets, moths, roaches and other insects out of your home will reduce the food sources for spiders, and aerosol treatments can also prevent new spiders from coming inside.