How to keep spiders out of the garage – 5 methods pest control pros use

Spiders are notorious for encroaching on our personal space, you can find them everywhere around the house once fall arrives. But they especially love dark and damp spots that are normally found in our garages.

There are many methods you can use when you are trying to keep spiders away. 

However, when dealing with spiders in a space such as the garage, you have to be more methodical as this is likely where spiders lay their eggs.

How to remove spiders out of the garage

Pest control experts share the best ways to get rid of spiders from your garage for good, using simple and effective methods.

1. Seal entry points

A crucial step when preventing spiders from setting up shop in your garage is to locate and seal any potential entry points. These can include gaps or cracks in your garage walls, doors, windows, or skylights if you have them. You would be surprised how easily spiders can squeeze into a space, no matter how small it is. 

Nicole Carpenter, CEO of Black Pest Prevention recommends installing door seals such as these from Amazon to make it more difficult for these pests to enter in the first place. She also says that it is essential to thoroughly inspect your garage as often as possible. Make sure to seal entry points with weather stripping available at Amazon and caulk and seal, also available at Amazon. When doing this, pay attention to doors, windows and any gaps around utility lines. Check the garage door seal and replace it if damaged.

Nicole Carpenter

Nicole Carpenter first began working at Black Pest Prevention when she was a junior in high school. While attending N.C. State University she continued to work for the company and has since worked through the organization to now becoming its CEO. Black Pest Prevention is a Charlotte pest control company that serves North and South Carolina.

2. Change your lighting

A garage with a light on is like an open invitation to spiders. According to Janille Mangat, a cleaning specialist at VMAP we should try using yellow or sodium vapor light bulbs for outdoor lighting, as they are less attractive to insects.

Bear in mind that insects are a primary food source for many spiders, so deterring insects from your garage will ultimately force the spiders to relocate to find insects. Spiders are also attracted to light, so changing to motion-activated lights outside instead of continuous lighting will also reduce the attractiveness of your garage to these creepy crawlies.

Janille Mangat

Janille Mangat has been working as a cleaning specialist at VMAP services for more than 2 years and has extensive experience with residential and cleaning services.

3. Use natural repellents

There are natural repellents with the ability to keep spiders away. Spiders dislike the smell of citrus, so you can use citrus-scented cleaners like these from Amazon,  to wipe down surfaces in the garage. Another effective natural repellent is peppermint oil. Mixing a few drops of peppermint oil with water and spraying it around the garage works wonders.

Rich Mullins, pest control expert also suggests using citronella candles as another natural spider repellent. Citronella candles, like these from Amazon, can be burned so that spiders will be encouraged to leave and not come back.

4. Remove food sources

Spiders are predators and are attracted to other insects. If your garage has an insect problem, it's likely to attract spiders.

Implement measures to reduce insect populations. This can include fixing any plumbing leaks, keeping garbage tightly sealed, and using screens on windows and vents to prevent insects from entering.

It's also a good idea to keep anything that might attract insects, especially your trash cans, outside of your garage if at all possible, and if not, invest in trash cans with sturdy, sealed lids. You should also make sure that any food, even pet food, is stored in sealed containers.

Since spiders feed on insects, it's essential to reduce the insect population in and around your garage. You can achieve this by using insect repellents, traps, or professional pest control services to manage insect infestations.

5. Remove clutter and clean the space regularly

Spiders love cluttered areas where they can easily hide and be out of sight. This can be frustrating as you may not be able to see just how many spiders there are at first glance, and there may be many more in places you wouldn’t think to look.

‘This is why it is essential to keep your garage organized, remove unnecessary items and boxes which are ideal spider habitats,’ says Sean Thomas from Conquercritters.com. 

‘A great way to ensure these areas don’t exist is to regularly sweep and clean the garage to eliminate cobwebs and spider egg sacs.’

Once these are removed it will deter the spiders from setting up again in these spaces as they are constantly disrupted and moved. Having an organized space not only deters spiders but also makes it easier to spot and remove them. Garage full to the brim? Learn how to organize a garage with too much stuff to help you clear away spider hiding spots more easily.

Sean Thomas

Sean is the Editor-in-chief at Conquercritters.com, based in Atlanta, a website that teaches homeowners DIY methods of pest and wildlife control.

FAQs

As we approach fall and spiders become more active, now is the time to put in place methods to keep spiders out of our garages and homes. In addition to using the methods outlined above, you can call in pest control professionals.