Spider eggs in the house will cause a ton of spiders if you don’t get rid of them.
In other words, there will be a spider infestation.
Or, in the worst-case scenario, your home is already in the grips of spider infestation. Adult spiders in the house are breeding and intensifying it.
So, what do you do if you see spider eggs in your house? Keep reading to find the solution.
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Spider Eggs or Egg Sacs Identification
Adult female spiders lay hundreds of tiny, hard-to-see eggs. They don’t scatter these eggs.
Instead, the female spiders bundle those eggs in small silken web balls. These balls are called egg sacs.
Spider egg sac color can vary depending on the spider species. For example, the egg sac color of the common house spider is light brown or cream.
The egg sac color of black widows and brown recluses can be tan or gray.
But all spider egg sacs are round or oblong. And they have a threadbare or webby appearance.
If the surface is smooth, it’s not a spider egg sac.
Spider Egg Sacs Location
Spiders in the house will lay their eggs in locations where human footfall is less.
So, places like the attic, basement, and storage rooms are their go-to places for laying eggs.
But spiders also prefer clutter.
So, they can also lay eggs in the clutter of areas like bedroom and garage.
Female spiders stick the egg sacs behind furniture, on window corners, or inside the crevices on the walls.
Some spiders abandon their eggs. But some hide near the egg sacs, protecting their eggs from danger.
In the outdoors, such as in the garden or yard, spiders hide their egg sacs in foliage, firewood, and piles.
They can also hide the sacs in the tree barks or underneath stones and plant pots.
How to Get Rid of Spider Eggs in the House?
If you’ve seen one spider egg sac in the house, then chances are there are more.
So, before you begin the elimination process, inspect the house.
Look at the cluttered areas and the tight corners of your home.
Locating all the spider egg sacs and eliminating them is vital to spider control.
Once you’ve identified and spotted all the spider egg sacs, follow the steps below.
Remove Spider Eggs with a Vacuum Cleaner
The easiest way to get rid of spider egg sacs is by scooping them off the surface with a vacuum cleaner.
Only use the vacuum cleaner’s hose attachment to remove the spider eggs.
Take the vacuum dust bag out. And put it in a plastic bag. Seal the plastic bag and dispose of it safely outside of your property.
Spider Spray To Kill Spider Eggs
Use a spider spray on the spider egg sacs. It’ll penetrate the surface of the egg sac and neutralize all the tiny spiders in it.
Wait for 10-15 minutes after the application of the spray. Then remove the egg sac with a broom and dispose of it outside your home.
Water-based insecticides don’t kill spider eggs. Oil-based insecticides, such as Miss Muffet’s Wet & forget, do.
Another alternative is rubbing alcohol. Pour undiluted rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) into the egg sac. It has the same effect as an insecticide.
No matter what insecticide you’re handling, please read the safety instructions. And follow them.
Hair Dryer Method to Neutralize Spider Eggs
Use a hair dryer on the spider egg sacs. Keep the hair dry 2-3 inches off the egg sacs so that the heat makes good contact with the egg sac.
The intense heat from a hair dryer directed at the egg sac can dry out and kill the developing spiders inside. Be cautious of the surface you’re treating to avoid heat damage.
Propane Torch Burner ((EXTREME CAUTION ADVISED!)
Use a small handheld flamethrower like a propane weed torch on the egg sacs. It will instantly burn spider egg sacs.
I used it to treat outdoor infestations and on tolerant surfaces in my basement.
Please do not use it in your bedroom or living space. You should use this method with the utmost caution and in situations where it’s safe to do so.
Pouring Bleach on Spider Eggs
Bleach is an insect killer. Pouring it will kill all the baby spiders in the egg sac.
Take one part of bleach and mix it with two parts of water. Mix it well. Pour the mixture into the spider egg sac.
Wait for 10-15 minutes. And dispose of the egg sac outside of your home.
Risks Associated with Removing Spider Eggs in the House
While vacuuming, you can break the egg sac. It’ll cause hundreds of spiderlings to dissipate in the house and hide.
To nullify it, I used newspaper rolls under the door to seal the gap between the door and the floor.
It was to ensure that baby spiders don’t make their way under the door and into the rest of your home.
Another risk is that bleach can make contact with your skin. Bleach is corrosive and can cause skin damage.
So, wear gloves while pouring bleach on the egg sac.
And finally, spider bites. If the egg sac belongs to a venomous spider like the black widows, which hide near the egg sac, then you risk spider bites.
Mother black widows are fiercely protective of their egg sacs.
So, if you’re not confident about removing egg sacs, or you don’t want to face the risks, then hire a pest controller.
Preventing Spider Eggs in the House
You’ll need to ensure that spiders don’t enter your home to prevent any chances of them laying eggs in the house.
You can do it by using the hacks below.
- Keep your yard clean. Store firewood piles away from your home’s doors and windows. And remove organic debris such as leaf litter.
- Seal cracks on the windowsills. These are the entry points for spiders. Seal any cracks in areas like the attic and basement.
- Keep your home bug-free. Bugs in the house are spider’s food. And if they’re there in your home, they’ll attract spiders.
- Spray repellents like peppermint oil along your home’s perimeter. Or scatter diatomaceous earth.
- Cut the clutter in the house. Old cardboard boxes, newspaper piles, and books create clutter. They provide hiding space for spiders.
- Organize your basement, attic, and garage. Provide some breathing space between the objects in these areas.
- Chop off any vegetation or tree branches touching your home’s windows, roof, or walls. Spiders can use them to enter your home.
FAQs
When do Spider Eggs Appear in the House?
Spiders mate and lay eggs during the spring and summer. And it’s during these periods you might notice spider eggs in the house.
When do Spider Eggs Hatch?
Spiders eggs hatch within 2-3 weeks from the day the female spiders lay their eggs.
But the baby spiders can remain inside the egg sac till the time is right to come out.
For example, if the weather is cold, then the spiderlings will enter a period of diapause.
They’ll only emerge from the egg sac when the weather is warm.
Dr. Thomas Orbert is a PhD in Entomology with extensive research experience in ectoparasites and microbials. He has also worked in the spaces of ecology conservation and has multiple years of experience in field research and scientific publishing.