What to Do About Spiders Indoors

1. Identify Common House Spiders
   The first step in dealing with spiders indoors is to know what you're dealing with. Not all spiders are the same, and most house spiders are harmless to humans. Some common species found indoors include the house spider, daddy longlegs, and wolf spiders. Learning to identify them will help alleviate unnecessary fear and inform your approach to handling them.
2. Prevention is Key
   The best way to deal with spiders indoors is to prevent them from entering your home in the first place. Here are some preventative measures to consider:
   
   Seal cracks and gaps: Spiders can enter your home through small openings. Inspect windows, doors, and walls for gaps and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping.
   
   Keep a clean home: Spiders are attracted to places where they can find food, so regularly clean up crumbs and spills. Vacuum and sweep your floors and corners to remove potential prey.
   Reduce clutter: Clutter provides hiding places for spiders and their prey. Keep your living space tidy to make it less inviting for them.
   
   Outdoor maintenance: Trim vegetation and bushes around your home, as spiders often use these as entry points. Additionally, keep outdoor lights off at night, as they can attract insects that spiders prey on.
3. Use Natural Deterrents
   If you want to discourage spiders from entering your home without harming them or using chemicals, consider using natural deterrents:
   
   Essential oils: Spiders dislike the scents of essential oils like peppermint, citrus, and lavender. Mix a few drops of these oils with water and spray them around entry points and corners.
   
   White vinegar: Mix white vinegar with water in a spray bottle and use it to clean surfaces and corners. Spiders dislike the smell of vinegar.
   
   Citrus peels: Leave citrus peels in areas where you've seen spiders, as they can be a natural repellent.
4. Relocate Spiders
   If you find a spider indoors and want to remove it without causing harm, follow these steps:
   
   Get a glass and a piece of paper or cardboard.
   
   Gently place the glass over the spider, trapping it against the wall or floor.
   
   Carefully slide the paper or cardboard under the glass, ensuring the spider crawls onto it.
   
   Lift the glass and paper together and carry the spider outside, releasing it safely.
5. Consider Professional Help
   It might be best to consult a pest control professional if you have a severe spider infestation that poses a potential health risk or discomfort. They can assess the situation and recommend appropriate measures, such as insect screens, spider-proofing your home, or using non-toxic spider traps.