From a biological standpoint, it is rarely necessary to control spiders. However, if it is desirable to get rid of spiders in the home, a combination of habitat modification and pesticides should be used. Pesticides alone, without some effort to remove or modify favorable spider habitats, will not be effective. Rocks, wood piles, compost piles, old boards, and other sheltering sites adjacent to the home should be removed. Spider migration into homes can be reduced by caulking cracks and crevices around the foundation and making sure all screens and doors are sealed tight. Keep crawl spaces free of debris and limit boxes and other potential hiding places from basements and other dark storage areas. Regularly vacuum or brush spider webs. The elimination of other insects that are prey can limit spider development. Occasional spiders can be removed with a vacuum, but the vacuum bag should be removed, sealed in a plastic bag and placed in the outside trash. Sticky traps, used to control cockroaches and rodents, can capture spiders when placed along baseboards or other migration areas. Where spiders and webbing occur in nuisance numbers on the outside of buildings they can be washed off with a forceful jet of water or removed with a brush on a long pole. Reduction of outdoor lighting, or replacing lighting on or near the house with yellow or sodium vapor lights that are not attractive to insects, can limit spider web building.

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