Symptoms
- Webs in corners, near windows, or between stored items
- Spiders seen scurrying when boxes or storage areas are disturbed
- Occasional larger spiders that look intimidating but are usually harmless
Likely causes
- CommonDark, undisturbed clutter providing shelterBasements often have boxes, furniture, and storage that spiders use for cover.
- CommonInsect prey attracted to the basementSpiders follow their food source; a basement with other bugs will likely have more spiders too.
- PossibleDamp conditions favoring certain spider speciesSome spiders, and their insect prey, prefer higher humidity environments like basements.
What to do
- Vacuum up webs, egg sacs, and visible spiders regularly, focusing on corners, window wells, and storage areas.
- Reduce clutter and elevate stored items off the floor to remove hiding spots.
- Address any dampness or high humidity in the basement, since reducing other insects (spider prey) also reduces spiders.
- Seal exterior gaps around windows, the foundation, and utility penetrations to limit new spiders (and their prey) from entering.
- Use sticky traps along baseboards to monitor and catch spiders without chemicals.
- Learn to recognize a couple of medically significant spiders relevant to your region, like the black widow or brown recluse, and take extra caution around dark corners if those are present locally.
- Call a pest control professional if you find a spider you can't identify and suspect is dangerous, or if the basement has an unusually high spider population.
Tools and parts
- Vacuum
- Broom
Spider sticky trapsSearch: “spider glue traps”
When to call a pro
Call a pest control professional for large populations, a suspected venomous species, or persistent spider activity after cleaning.
Safety
Use caution
If you suspect a black widow, brown recluse, or other venomous spider in your region, avoid handling it directly and use a trap or call a professional instead.