A Homeowner's Guide to Identifying & Removing Spiders from Your Garage
Hey there, let's talk about the garage. That glorious space that’s supposed to be for your car, your tools, maybe a home gym... but somehow, it often becomes the undisputed kingdom of the eight-legged-and-creepy. You walk in to grab a screwdriver & BAM, you're doing an involuntary karate chop through a sticky web you didn't see. We've all been there.
Honestly, spiders love garages for a reason. They're typically dark, quiet & full of hiding spots. It's like a five-star resort for them, offering shelter & a steady buffet of other insects that wander in. But here’s the thing: you don't have to just surrender your garage to these arachnid squatters. Reclaiming your space is totally doable. It just takes a little know-how about who you're dealing with & the right battle plan.
Know Your Enemy: Common Garage Spiders
First things first, let's figure out who's actually moved in. Most of the spiders you'll find in your garage are more of a nuisance than a menace. But there are a couple of bad actors you should be able to spot.
The "Mostly Harmless" Crew
These are the guys you'll see most often. They’re pretty chill & are actually great at pest control, but it's okay if you'd still rather they do their job somewhere else.
American House Spider (or Common House Spider): This is probably the most common one you'll find. They're kinda plain, brownish-gray with some darker markings, & the females are a bit bigger than the males. You'll find their messy, tangled webs in corners, around windows, or by the garage door, where they wait to catch flies & mosquitoes. They're not aggressive & their bite is harmless.
Cellar Spider (aka "Daddy Long Legs"): Everyone knows this one. Super long, spindly legs & a tiny, peanut-shaped body that's pale yellow or light brown. They love dark, damp spots like basements & garages (hence the name) & build loose, irregular webs in the corners. They look fragile, & they are. Not a threat to you at all.
Wolf Spider: These guys are different. They don't build webs to catch food; they're hunters. They look a bit intimidating—big, hairy & brown or gray, sometimes looking like a mini tarantula. They have excellent eyesight for hunting at night. You’ll usually find them on the ground, & they might wander into your garage for shelter. They won't bite unless you really provoke them, & while it might hurt a bit, they're not venomous.
Grass Spiders: Often confused with wolf spiders, these ones are FAST. They build funnel-shaped webs in, you guessed it, grassy areas, but also along the foundation of your house & in the corners of your garage. They are yellowish-brown with two dark stripes running down their body. Like wolf spiders, they're shy & will only bite if they feel trapped, & their venom isn't dangerous to humans.
The "Keep Your Distance" Crew
Now, for the ones you need to be more cautious about. Finding one of these is a sign to be more careful.
Black Widow: This is the one everyone's heard of. The female is the one to watch for: she's shiny black with a VERY distinct red hourglass shape on the underside of her abdomen. They love dark, undisturbed places, making cluttered garages, woodpiles & crawl spaces prime real estate. Their webs are messy & irregular. A black widow bite is SERIOUS business & requires immediate medical attention.
Brown Recluse Spider: These spiders are known for the violin-shaped marking on their back, with the "neck" of the violin pointing toward the abdomen. They are brown or yellowish-brown & have six eyes arranged in pairs, which is pretty unique. They are, as their name suggests, reclusive. They hide in dark, quiet spots. The problem is that a cluttered garage is full of these spots—in old boxes, piles of clothes, or unused tools. Their bite can cause a nasty necrotic lesion, so if you suspect you have them, it’s a big deal.
Hobo Spider: More common in the Pacific Northwest, these spiders are brownish with a mottled pattern. They aren't great climbers, so you'll find them at ground level in dark, moist areas. They build funnel-like webs. Their bite can be painful & leave a red mark, but it's not as severe as a brown recluse's.
The Ultimate Spider Removal Toolkit
Okay, so you've identified your uninvited guests. Now what? Time to evict them. You've got a few options here, from hands-on removal to more passive-aggressive (but effective) methods.
Step 1: The Great Clean-Up & Eviction
This is the most important step, hands down. Spiders are there because your garage is a great place to live. Make it less hospitable.
The Vacuum is Your Best Friend: Seriously. For a quick, non-toxic removal of spiders, webs & even egg sacs, a vacuum with a long hose attachment is your go-to weapon. Suck 'em up from corners, ceiling joists & behind shelves. The key here is to dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the canister outside immediately. Seal it up & get it in the trash, otherwise, they might just crawl back out.
Web Removal: For every web you see, use a broom or a damp cloth to take it down. This does two things: it removes the spider's home & trap, & it gets rid of any hidden egg sacs. An abundance of webs is a clear sign of a growing population.
Declutter, Declutter, Declutter: This is HUGE. Spiders thrive in clutter. That pile of old boxes from your last move? The stack of firewood against the wall? The collection of old sports equipment? It's all prime real estate for them. Reducing clutter eliminates their hiding spots.
This is where you have to be honest with yourself. If your garage is packed to the gills & you just don't have the space, it might be time to find an alternative. Here’s a thought: what if you could store all that stuff somewhere else, affordably & conveniently? Turns out, you can use Prked to find a storage solution right in your neighborhood. People with extra space in their garage, attic, or basement rent it out through Prked. It's a pretty cool way to get all that clutter out of your garage, making it a MUCH less attractive place for spiders while you make some extra room. No more dusty boxes for spiders to hide in.
Step 2: Natural Deterrents & Repellents
If you're not a fan of harsh chemicals (and who is?), there are a ton of natural ways to make your garage smell awful... to spiders. They actually "taste" with their feet, so certain strong scents send them running.
Peppermint Power: Spiders HATE peppermint oil. Mix about 20 drops of peppermint essential oil with water in a spray bottle & spritz it everywhere. Focus on entry points like windows, door frames & any cracks you see. It actually makes your garage smell nice to you, but terrible to them. Win-win. You can also try other oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, or cinnamon.
Vinegar & Citrus: A simple solution of equal parts white vinegar & water is another great repellent. The acetic acid is a major turn-off for spiders. You can also rub citrus peels along windowsills & doorways. Spiders dislike citrus smells.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE): This stuff is amazing. It's a natural powder made from fossilized algae. It's not a poison; it works by physically breaking down the spider's exoskeleton, which dehydrates & kills them. Sprinkle a thin layer of food-grade DE along the perimeter of your garage, in corners & under shelving. It's a fantastic long-term, non-toxic barrier.
Strategic Planting: Some plants are natural spider repellents. Planting mint, lavender, or basil around the exterior of your garage can help deter them from even getting close.
Step 3: When to Consider Insecticides
Sometimes, a natural approach isn't enough, especially if you're dealing with a serious infestation or venomous spiders.
Sticky Traps: These are simple but effective. Place them along walls, in corners & behind storage items to catch wandering spiders. They won't solve an infestation, but they are great for monitoring the level of spider activity in your garage.
Targeted Sprays & Foggers: There are commercial spider sprays available that you can use for spot treatments. If you go the route of a bug bomb or fogger, be VERY careful. Read the instructions thoroughly, as these release insecticides into the entire space. It might be better to use targeted methods first. Always check that the product is safe for use around pets & kids if they have access to the garage.
Prevention is the Best Medicine: Fortress Your Garage
Okay, you've cleaned up & kicked them out. Now, how do you keep them from coming back? The key is to make your garage as uninviting as possible, permanently.
Seal Every Entry Point: This is non-negotiable. Spiders can squeeze through the tiniest of openings. Get some caulk & go to town. Seal cracks in the foundation, gaps around windows & doors & any holes where utility lines enter the garage. Install weather stripping or a door sweep at the bottom of your garage door to close that gap.
Rethink Your Lighting: Bright lights attract insects, & a buffet of insects attracts spiders. Here's a pro tip: switch your exterior garage lights to yellow or sodium vapor bulbs. These are less attractive to bugs, which means less food for spiders. Inside, however, good lighting can make it easier to spot webs & spiders before they get established.
Manage Your Storage Smarter: We talked about decluttering, but how you store things matters too. Ditch the cardboard boxes. Pests like cockroaches & silverfish love them, & spiders love to eat those pests. Switch to clear, plastic bins with tight-fitting lids. This not only keeps spiders out of your stuff but also lets you see what's inside without having to open every single one. Keeping items on shelves instead of directly on the floor also eliminates a ton of hiding spots.
Control the Food Source: At the end of the day, spiders are in your garage for the food. If you have a problem with other insects (ants, flies, etc.), you'll have a problem with spiders. Keep garbage cans sealed tightly & clean up any spills or crumbs that might attract other pests.
When to Wave the White Flag & Call a Professional
Listen, there's no shame in calling for backup. Sometimes a spider problem is just too big or too dangerous to handle on your own. Here’s when you should pick up the phone:
You See Venomous Spiders: If you've positively identified Black Widows or Brown Recluses, especially if you're seeing more than one, it's time to call a pro. The risk is just not worth it. Professionals have the right equipment & knowledge to handle these dangerous species safely.
The Infestation is Overwhelming: Are you seeing spiders daily? Are you constantly cleaning away webs only to have them reappear overnight? Have you found multiple egg sacs? These are all signs of a significant infestation that DIY methods might not be able to contain.
You Have Arachnophobia: If the mere thought of dealing with spiders sends you into a panic, that's a perfectly valid reason to outsource the job. Your peace of mind is important.
A professional exterminator can identify the exact species you're dealing with, locate the source of the infestation & use targeted treatments that are more effective & safer than what's typically available to consumers.
So there you have it. Taking back your garage from spiders is a multi-step process, but it's totally achievable. It starts with knowing your enemy, follows through with a major clean-up (maybe with a little help from a Prked storage spot for your extra stuff), & finishes with smart, long-term prevention.
Hope this was helpful! Let me know what you think. Good luck reclaiming your space
