How to deal with big spiders

This week I have seen several posts in local Facebook groups that are all asking the same thing - how to deal with the big spiders that come into houses at this time of year. Has anyone else been finding more spiders than they are comfortable with lately?! This is not my usual kind of blog post content I admit but I thought I'd offer some solutions (because I've nothing better to do, lol).

I knew I didn't want to use an image of a real spider for this post in case it scared people so the thought popped into my head that it would be a great opportunity to see if our youngest daughter would create some art to someone else's brief. She has spent most of the summer holidays drawing on her iPad; I'm so impressed with the way that she comes up with ideas for projects and then sets herself targets for when she wants to get them done. But having someone else impose a demand on her, even a polite request, can cause issues - have you heard of Pathological Demand Avoidance? Plenty more reading on that if you click the link there or maybe try this popular post: Ten things you need to know about Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)

I knew I'd have to phrase my request for a spider drawing carefully, and I thought there was maybe a 1% chance of her actually doing it... but as you can see, she came up with the goods! I have no idea where she and her older sister get their creative talent from because I would honestly struggle to come up with any decent drawing of anything, including a spider. Which I know sounds weird or implausible to those who are naturally talented but I can safely say art is just not one of my skills! Anyhow, let's get on with the solutions for those pesky little invaders....

Spider removal options

Of course most people will know about the glass and piece of card as a way of ejecting spiders. Personally I prefer a plastic glass (if you know what I mean!) because the spiders do scare me so much that I fear I might drop the glass. And I really don't want to be dealing with a running spider whilst trying to watch out for broken glass.... I keep one of these plastic cups (a big one) in each room so I have something to grab quickly.

Sometimes though, the spider is just too scary and I don't want to get as near to it as using the glass would need me to. Or maybe it's higher up on the wall, or in a corner. Releasing the spider from a glass is also a little bit nerve wracking - Mr C always flings them but I'm paranoid they will fly right back towards me. So other options are helpful.

Spider Catcher

This kind of spider catcher has been my go-to solution for some time. It is a long stick with a grip handle and plastic bristles on the end. When you pull the trigger, the bristles open up wide enough for you to cover even the largest of spiders, and on releasing the trigger the bristles gently trap the spider on the inside. It doesn't harm the spider but it somehow renders them incapable of moving - they are there, inside the bristles. They also can't make a web once trapped, so you can safely carry the spider out of the house (the further away, the better in my opinion) and release it by pulling the trigger again. It will fall out of the bottom and scurry off unharmed.

What I love most about this contraption is the long handle, meaning you don't need to get too close to that thing with eight legs. It's great for awkward places and I would say it works nine times out of ten - it takes a little practise to position it right but so worth it when you manage to get it right.

Spider trap

If the Spider Catcher doesn't work out for you then maybe try this spider trap instead. I love the fact it's got a wide opening, making it easy to get over those larger ones. Once you've placed it over the culprit, twist, and gravity causes the plastic flap to fall down, catching the spider in the see through cage. This allows you to then carry it outside, and release far away again. Just be careful you keep the trap the same way up as you walk, to avoid the door sliding back open unexpectedly! The handle on this is not quite as long as the first option though, and of course it won't work for corners. But possibly better for those who do want the reassurance of seeing what they've trapped?!

Spider sprays

There are two main options here; first is a repellent, to try to avoid the spiders coming in, or hanging around and making it their home if they do get in. Second is a way of 'unaliving' the spiders, which I know not everyone will be happy with.

Pest spray

This Pest Spray is billed as 'an effective spider spray repellent indoor and outdoor, offering all round protection against spiders'. It is a peppermint oil solution in a spray bottle, and it can be used around entry points such as doors and windows to create a natural barrier. It contains non-toxic, natural ingredients so it is suitable for use around children and pets. I like that it is exclusively UK manufactured and packaged using UK recycled plastics.

Spider killer spray

I know that for some people, the anxiety over spiders is so extreme that they would be unable to use either of the first two methods to catch and eject the intruders. So this is an option for some - I'm not saying I advocate this method, but I understand why some would want it.

This spider & creepy crawly killer spray seems to get decent reviews and is good value. One note of caution is that I can't find a listing for the contents/chemicals that are in this, so it's not something I'd use around children or pets. But to be honest, the spiders are probably staying away from your children and pets anyway, so a small amount in the high up corners or dark cracks (or car wing mirrors, which is where most of our spiders seem to hang out!) is probably not going to be a problem for anyone other than the spiders. Use sparingly and with care and you should be okay (but I'm not an expert, you'll need to use your own judgement!).

That's the end of my list but I hope it has been of help to somebody. I'm not a fan of spiders myself but the older I've got, the more I've been able to accept them and deal with them! Let me know if any of these methods work for you?

(The underlined text and pictures in this post are affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but it won't cost you any extra!)