How to keep spiders away from your home

Spiders are among the most common household pests in New Zealand. For some people, they’re a source of fear; for others, just an inconvenience. While many species are harmless and even helpful in controlling other insects, their presence indoors is rarely welcomed. Some spiders, such as the white-tailed spider, can deliver painful bites, which makes their presence more concerning.

Knowing how to keep spiders away from your home is about more than simply spraying or squashing the ones you see. To be effective, it’s about understanding why they come inside, what attracts them, and what long-term strategies will reduce their numbers.

Why spiders enter homes

Spiders are naturally drawn to places that provide shelter, food, and stable conditions. In New Zealand homes, this often means garages, roof voids, under furniture, and dark corners.

• Food sources: Spiders feed primarily on insects such as flies, mosquitoes, moths, and ants. If your home attracts insects, it will almost certainly attract spiders too.
   
• Shelter: During cooler months, spiders move indoors to escape low temperatures and heavy rain. The stable warmth of a home makes an inviting refuge.
   
• Breeding: Spiders often lay egg sacs in hidden spots indoors. A single egg sac can contain dozens of spiderlings, which means infestations can multiply if unnoticed.
   
• Clutter: Cardboard boxes, stored firewood, and piles of clothes provide undisturbed spaces where spiders feel safe to hide and breed.

In short, if your home offers food and shelter, spiders will take advantage of it. Prevention focuses on removing these attractants.

Common spiders in New Zealand homes

While New Zealand is home to hundreds of spider species, only a few regularly turn up inside houses. Some of the most common include:

• White-tailed spider: Known for delivering painful bites. They don’t build webs, but instead roam in search of other spiders to eat. They are often found in clothing, bedding, or under furniture.
   
• Black house spider: Builds untidy webs around windows, door frames, and eaves. Their webs can quickly become unsightly.
   
• Daddy long-legs: Easily recognised by their long, thin legs. They’re harmless to humans and help reduce flying insect numbers, but their webs can accumulate in ceiling corners.
   
• Sheet-web and tunnel-web spiders: Typically outdoor species that may move indoors if their webs are disturbed.

Understanding which spiders you’re dealing with helps decide whether they’re a nuisance, a risk, or simply an indicator of a larger insect problem.

Signs of spider activity

Unlike pests such as ants, spiders don’t leave obvious trails. Instead, you’ll need to look for more subtle indicators:

• Webs: The most obvious sign. These appear in corners of ceilings, behind furniture, around windows, and in garages or sheds.
   
• Egg sacs: Small, white, silk-covered balls attached to webs or hidden in crevices. Each can hatch dozens of spiderlings.
   
• Shed skins: Spiders shed their skins as they grow. These may be found near webs or hiding spots.
   
• Live sightings: Particularly in bathrooms, basements, or storage areas. Spiders often emerge at night when insect activity peaks.

Identifying these signs early makes it easier to intervene before a full infestation develops.

How to keep spiders away from your home

Long-term spider prevention is about creating an environment that is less appealing to them. Here’s a detailed look at effective strategies:

1. Reduce clutter and hiding places

Spiders thrive in places where they won’t be disturbed. Piles of old magazines, stacked boxes, or unused clothing provide perfect shelter. Organise storage areas, use sealed plastic containers instead of cardboard, and regularly clear out spaces like garages and wardrobes.

2. Seal entry points

Spiders often slip in through cracks, gaps, or damaged screens. Inspect your home for entry points and seal them. Pay attention to:

• Gaps under doors (door sweeps can help).
• Broken window screens.
• Cracks in walls and skirting boards.

By sealing these gaps, you also keep out the insects that spiders feed on.

3. Control insect populations

Because spiders follow their food, reducing insect numbers is critical. Simple steps include:

• Using fly screens to keep insects out.
• Keeping bins sealed to avoid attracting flies.
• Turning off unnecessary outdoor lighting helps prevent moths and flying insects.
• Cleaning up food crumbs and spills quickly.

4. Regular cleaning

Vacuuming corners, behind furniture, and under beds helps remove webs, egg sacs, and live spiders. Pay extra attention to areas like ceiling corners, window frames, and cupboards. Frequent cleaning disturbs spiders and discourages them from settling in.

5. Manage outdoor spaces

Spiders often come indoors from nearby gardens. Keep shrubs trimmed back from windows, move firewood stacks away from the house, and reduce outdoor clutter. If you use outdoor lighting, switch to yellow-toned bulbs, which attract fewer insects.

6. Keep indoor spaces dry

Spiders are more likely to thrive where there’s dampness. Leaky taps, blocked gutters, or poor ventilation can all create ideal conditions. Fix leaks promptly, use dehumidifiers if needed, and keep bathrooms well-ventilated.

7. Safe spider removal

If you come across the occasional spider, it can be safely removed using a vacuum cleaner or by trapping it with a glass and a card. However, this won’t prevent more from entering if the underlying issues aren’t resolved.

DIY vs professional spider control

Many households try DIY sprays and repellents. While these may kill visible spiders, they rarely solve the underlying problem. Some repellents work only temporarily, and overuse of sprays can even create resistance in insect populations.

Professional pest control offers clear advantages:

• Correct species identification so treatments are specific and practical.
   
• Safe and precise application of insecticides by trained technicians.
   
• Targeting both spiders and their prey reduces the long-term risk of re-infestation.
   
• Expert advice on preventing future problems, tailored to your property.

For small numbers of spiders, DIY methods may help. But if you’re noticing regular sightings, webs across multiple rooms, or white-tailed spiders indoors, it’s time to seek professional support.

Preventing spiders year-round

Spiders are active at different times of the year. Adjusting your prevention habits seasonally can make a big difference:

• Spring: As insects become more active, check outdoor areas and reduce clutter where spiders might breed.
   
• Summer: Keep up with cleaning, as this is peak insect season, and spiders will follow.
   
• Autumn: Inspect the home for gaps and seal them before spiders move indoors for warmth.
   
• Winter: Reduce indoor hiding places and store clothing, blankets, and firewood properly to avoid surprise encounters.

A proactive, year-round approach reduces the likelihood of infestations and keeps spider numbers under control.

DIY vs professional solutions

DIY sprays and treatments are widely available, but they rarely solve the problem. Most surface sprays do not penetrate deep enough to reach larvae, leaving infestations to continue unnoticed. Common mistakes include treating only visible holes or ignoring underfloor areas where borers are often most active.

Professional pest control offers several advantages:

• Accurate species identification.
• Treatments that reach deep inside timber.
• Long-term protection against reinfestation.
• Safe application by trained experts.

Given the cost of repairing damaged timber, professional treatment is usually the most effective and economical choice.

Preventing future infestations

Prevention plays a major role in protecting timber from borers. Steps you can take include:

• Using treated timber: When building or renovating, opt for wood treated against insect attack.
   
• Sealing timber surfaces: Paint, varnish, or polish creates a protective barrier that discourages beetles from laying eggs.
   
• Ventilation: Ensure good airflow in underfloor and roof spaces to reduce dampness.
   
• Regular inspections: Especially in older homes, annual or biennial inspections can detect infestations early.
   
• Seasonal checks: Summer, when adult beetles emerge, is the best time to look for new exit holes.

By taking preventative action, you reduce the risk of future infestations and extend the lifespan of your timber.

Professional spider control in New Zealand

Rentokil offers spider control solutions across New Zealand, combining inspection, treatment, and prevention. Our technicians identify the spider species present, assess the level of infestation, and apply targeted treatments.

Whether it’s nuisance web-builders, recurring white-tailed spider sightings, or infestations around your property, professional intervention ensures the problem is dealt with effectively and safely. Treatments are applied with care for people, pets, and the environment, giving you peace of mind.

Conclusion

Spiders are an unavoidable part of life in New Zealand, but that doesn’t mean you need to share your home with them. Most species are harmless, yet their presence indoors is unsettling — and in the case of white-tailed spiders, potentially risky.

Keeping spiders away requires consistent effort: reducing clutter, sealing entry points, managing insect populations, and maintaining clean, dry spaces. While these steps make a big difference, ongoing problems are best handled by professional pest control.

With expert treatment and prevention from Rentokil NZ, you can protect your home, reduce the risk of spider infestations, and enjoy a safe, comfortable, spider-free environment all year round. Contact Rentokil NZ today to arrange an inspection and take the first step towards effective spider control.