Spiders can be freaky, especially the larger or hairy species. But, more importantly, they can be dangerous, as species such as the black widow and brown recluse can deliver life-threatening, venomous bites.
Unfortunately, spiders are shy and stay in hidden areas such as the dark spaces in your garage. Even worse, most of them are well adapted to camouflage and stay hidden right under your nose.
So knowing how to get rid of Spiders in garage can be a great way to prevent them from endangering your family and messing up the place with their pesky cobwebs.
Also Read:
- How to get rid of maggots in a garage
- How to get rid of black widows in the garage
- How to get rid of Possum in your garage
What Attracts Spiders to Your Garage?
A neglected garage space is more likely to offer favorable conditions for both insects and arachnids to survive. Therefore, the first step to getting rid of spiders in the garage is to establish why they seek refuge in your garage. Here are some of the most common attractants of spiders to your garage:
Clutter
If you’re a hoarder, spiders are more likely to invade your garage space due to clutter. Dust and debris usually collect in cluttered garages and eventually attract pests. Too much clutter in the garage tends to create a warm environment within the space. During winter, spiders often seek warm and humid environments conducive for them to inhabit and lay eggs, which explains why they are attracted to cluttered garage spaces.
Bugs
The presence of bugs in the garage is often due to food substances stored in the garage. Leaving the garage door and windows open is also likely to attract flying insects such as moths and mosquitoes into the garage. Bugs, especially flying insects, are the primary source of food for spiders. Therefore, if insects inhabit your garage, an invasion of spiders is guaranteed.
Dark spaces
Spiders often inhabit dark, dusty, and grimy areas where they can effortlessly hide and reproduce. Therefore, garage spaces that are devoid of natural lighting are more likely to be invaded by spiders. If your garage windows aren’t large enough or are rarely opened, spiders could be attracted to the dark environment within the garage.
Cracks and holes
The garage walls and floor are prone to having cracks and holes, especially if your garage has served you for a considerable amount of time. Spiders are fond of hiding and weaving their webs on the wall crevices. Consider checking whether your garage wall or floor exhibits cracks, as these tend to present a suitable habitat for spiders.
Cabinets and cardboard boxes
Cabinets and cardboard boxes serve as major storage containers for items stored in the garage, such as books. However, they also act as convenient hiding places for pests, insects, and spiders. That said, a garage that contains cabinets and cardboard boxes is more likely to harbor spiders.
How to Get Rid of Spiders in Garage
To eliminate spiders in your garage, use commercial spider repellents like Stay Away Spiders or homemade repellents like peppermint essential oil solution. Additionally, swap cardboard boxes in your garage for airtight containers and seal any cracks in the walls and floor.
Any measure that keeps bugs away will typically force spiders to look elsewhere for prey because they are carnivores. So, if you have leaking faucets in your garage, you can expect the moisture to attract bugs, then, in turn, attract spiders into your garage.
Ensuring the garage is dry and free of nooks and crevices will eliminate food and hiding spots for spiders. Eventually, they will find your garage uninhabitable.
All said, here is an in-depth look at the best methods of getting rid of spiders in your garage and keeping them out of your home.
Swap cardboard boxes in your garage with airtight containers
Cardboard boxes used for packaging various items often find their way into the garage or someplace in the basement as storage items.
Unfortunately, these convenient storages are favorite spots for dozens of pest species, including earwigs, silverfish, and roaches. The boards double up as chow and are excellent breeding grounds for these pesky critters.
Spiders are predators. And like any serious predator, they will go where the prey is, which in this case is right inside your garage where the insects reside.
Cutting out that supply of prey is the first step to eliminating the spiders.
Remove the cardboard boxes and swap them for airtight storage containers that neither the pests nor the spiders can enter.
Getting rid of these cardboard boxes will eliminate the pests, forcing the spiders to look elsewhere for prey.
Use natural repellents to expel spiders.
While you may love the peppermint smell, spiders find it unbearable. You can use that knowledge against them.
Mix two to three drops of peppermint essential oil with about two cups of water and put the solution in a spray bottle. You can also add a few drops of dish soap to the mixture.
Once ready in a spray bottle, shake the mixture well and spray it in all the corners of your garage and potential sider hideouts.
The peppermint oil contains methanol that spiders and several other bugs cannot stand.
Other essential oils such as lavender and eucalyptus that may be soothing to us should have the same effect on spiders and other pests.
Use commercial spider repellents
- Peppermint
Aside from your homemade spider repellent, you can buy some organic options on Amazon or from local shops around you.
These repellents are fast-acting and will force pests and the spiders preying on them out of your home in no time. Options such as Stay Away Spiders contain natural ingredients that effectively repel spiders while keeping your home chemical-free.
The fast-acting formula consists of plant-based ingredients that emit scents that people find pleasant, but pests find unendurable. This makes it such an effective way to expel spiders and keep them out of your garage.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
In addition to having a distinct smell, apple cider vinegar is naturally acidic. It contains acetic acid, which can burn spiders upon direct contact. Consider placing a platter containing apple cider vinegar next to cracks and crevices to get rid of spiders. Inside the apple cider vinegar mixture, vinegar is the most potent component with its enhanced acidity. It is harmful to the spiders in large doses, hence an easy way to eliminate the spiders from your garage.
Reduce moisture inside your garage
Like all living things, spiders and other insects rely on water for survival. They also tend to seek shelter inside your home when the temperatures outside are high.
If you have any leaking faucets or other moisture sources in your garage, insects and spiders will come in and pitch tent there. In particular, Spiders will enjoy their stay because they will have insects to prey on.
To force the entire community of pests and spiders out, seal any leaks that make your garage wet. If there is a lot of moisture sitting around, find a way to dry it, even if you must use a dehumidifier.
Once the place is dry, it will be less than conducive for the insects. And with the insects gone, spiders will have no reason to stay.
Declutter your garage and clean it to eliminate spider hideouts
Spiders and small insects love tight spaces. If you have stuff sitting against the wall in your garage, spiders will have more than enough hiding spots.
Any dirt lying around may attract bugs, and bugs will attract spiders because they are carnivores.
Spiders also naturally love unused spaces. So if your garage or sections of it remain without cleaning for a while, you will likely find spider webs forming there.
Cleaning such spots and removing any dirt and filth from the garage should be an excellent starting point.
Removing as many of the items as you can or spacing them out and away from the walls will help you win part of the battle.
Spiders may remain hidden inside things like old shoes within the garage or in cracks in the garage walls, but that is where the next solution comes in.
Seal any gaps or cracks on the garage walls
Gaps in your garage walls may not be the only entry points for spiders and their prey, but such gaps may be their favorite entryways.
As we have mentioned, spiders like hidden areas, and they will not spare the chance to take advantage of any cracks and gaps in the walls and floor.
Sealing such openings with caulk can go a long way in stopping spiders from entering the garage.
Additionally, consider repairing any loose tiles on the floor and any other flooring issue that might create hiding spots for these intruders.
You should be able to find a quality sealant on Amazon or any hardware store nearby
Cleaning the garage regularly
A dusty and debris-filled garage is prone to invasion by pests and insects, which are a source of food for spiders. Since the garage acts as a storage space for most households, it is likely to accumulate debris even when not in use. For this reason, vacuuming your garage at least once a week could go a long way in getting rid of spider eggs and cobwebs found in cracks and crevices.
Lighting up the garage
As stated earlier, a spider’s habitat is characterized by darkness. Therefore, it is advisable to open access points, and window blinds regularly. In this way, natural light can penetrate the garage, minimizing the chances of spiders inhabiting the space.
However, it is important to note that lighting up the garage using artificial light only worsens the situation. Artificial lighting tends to attract bugs such as moths which are a source of food for spiders. It is, therefore, a good practice to turn off garage lights at night or when not in use.
Sealing cracks and holes
Sealing cracks and crevices on the wall and floor is a way of destroying potential habitats for spiders. Consequently, consider sealing holes through which spiders can get into the garage. Plaster of Paris is an ideal sealant for cracks and holes and could come in handy in such cases.
Eliminating other insects
Insects are a major attractant for spiders, and therefore getting rid of them is one of the best ways to dive spiders away from your garage. In this case, consider using pesticides and insect repellents to keep them away. Additionally, consider closing the garage access points, especially at night, to prevent the entry of flying insects such as moths and mosquitoes.
Use of airtight storage containers
Some pests feed on cardboard boxes while insects and spiders hide in them. Therefore, it is time to replace your cardboard boxes with airtight storage containers to aid in getting rid of spiders in your garage.
Seek Professional Help
Although costly, seeking professional help may be the ultimate solution that rids your garage of spiders. Consider opting for this solution if you have a large-sized garage or a considerable invasion of spiders. On the upside, by contacting a professional, you will most likely eliminate all bugs in the garage aside from spiders through fumigation.
The video below illustrates how to keep spiders out of your garage.
How to get rid of spiders in garage naturally
If you have a garden, you may appreciate the presence of spiders as they are handy in pest control. The opposite is true, however, if the spiders were to invade your home or garden. Even though some individuals will appreciate how beneficial the spiders are in feeding on fleas and mosquitos that are more harmful to humans in your homes, the sight of spiders in your garage or house may be unpleasant, especially when they hatch and grow in large numbers. Besides, there are other species of spiders whose bites are harmful to humans. A good example is the black widow spiders.
What does a black widow bite do to a human?
Black widow spiders are the most venomous spider species globally, especially in North America. You can develop chest and abdominal pain when you are bitten by black widow. Knowing how to get rid of the black widows from your homes should be a mandatory step. Besides, you may develop anxiety, headache, nausea, numbness, heavy sweating and salivating from a black widow bite. An individual with these symptoms suffers from what is described as latrodectism or envenomation, a disease that results from a black widow bite.
A bite from the black widow spiders contains alpha-latroxin, a mammalian-specific toxin in the venom that causes anxiety, headache, nausea, and even heavy sweating in humans, among other symptoms. These symptoms can be incapacitating and can result in severe pain in humans.
Besides, the black widows’ venom influences the nervous system of individuals. Most individuals have severe responses to the toxin, while others may have slight spider bite symptoms. When a black widow bites you, you begin to experience severe pain, swelling, burning, and redness at the bitten site. These symptoms are immediate.
Worse still, using chemicals to eradicate the spiders from your garage or home so that you do evade the bites is also associated with other health concerns. The pesticides can cause short-term adverse health effects, also called acute and chronic adverse effects, lasting for months or years after exposure. The acute health implications from pesticides include rashes, blisters, blindness, dizziness, stinging eyes, diarrhea, nausea, and even death.
You do not want to experience these health implications and would like to consider the most natural means to eradicate the spiders from your home or garage.
Below is a list of the natural ways to eradicate spiders in your home or garage;
Use Citrus 
One of the most straightforward and natural ways to keep spiders out of your garage or house is to use citrus. You can put citrus fruits in a bowl and leave them on the counter of your kitchen or spider habitat in your garage. Citrus repels the spiders due to their pungent smell.
Another significant way to remove the spiders from your garage using citrus is to peel them and wipe them around the garage door or window frames to give a strong scent of lemon or citrus on the spider’s entry points.
Besides, you may also attempt to soak numerous orange peels on a cup of vinegar overnight. You then add the mixture to a spray bottle mixed with water. Use the solution as a cleaning agent or spray it in spider traffic areas. The spiders will be eradicated from these points with the potent scent of the mixture. Always target the doorways and windows ways which are the primary entry points to the spiders.
Vinegar
Among the most reliable and effective organic pest controls, especially for spiders, is vinegar. Vinegar is harmless to humans, but its high rich in acetic acid provides it with a sour taste and odor, affecting the spiders and sending them away from areas with such scent.
Most importantly, using this natural repellant is pretty simple. You need to purchase a spray bottle and mix equal proportions of the vinegar and water in the bottle. Spray the resultant solution in the entry points of the spiders, such as doors and windows, around your home and even in the kitchen. Alternatively, you can use vinegar as a cleaning agent in your garage, bathroom or kitchen. The scent left as you clean will drive the spiders away.
Horse Chestnuts 
The chestnuts have natural oil that repels the spiders, making them ideal for home and garage use. To effectively reap their benefits, place fresh chestnuts near the baseboards that border the rooms in your home. You would also want to put them on the windowsills and near the doors, the entry points of the spiders into the houses or garage. The scent produced by their natural oil will drive the spiders away and prevent them from getting into your home.
Eliminate Dust
Spiders love to inhabit dusty areas with multiple cobwebs. One easy and essential way to eradicate spiders in your garage or home is to keep them clean and tidy. You can try regular dusting and vacuuming of your garage to destroy the hiding places or inviting insects in your home.
Home/Garage Organization
Often, spiders like dark and cluttered spaces. If you leave your home or garage unorganized, you are inviting spiders and other bugs. Ensure that you organize your storage space, dusting and vacuuming the potential breeding spaces. Also, ensure that you remove the boxes you have used in your garage. Spiders always want to make a home in the piles of boxes, plywood, or the used cardboards you may be having within your garage. Consider recycling them and putting them into practical usage that will not clutter your garage.
What is the best spider deterrent?
2. Miss Muffet’s spider killer
Among the best spider deterrent or killers is Miss Muffet’s spider killer. The unit is ideal both for outdoor and indoor use. Besides, the model is powerful and can reach up to 10 feet high, and this means you do not need to carry a ladder with you to fumigate your garage properly.
Moreover, Miss Muffet kills the spiders immediately and can keep them away for up to 12 months with a single application. You do not need to hire a professional to spray your property. The model comes with manufacturers’ instructions at the back of their label on the bottle.
You can find this outstanding spider killer at amazon.com. Click the link below to buy.
Buy on Amazon
2. Mighty Mint – 16oz Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil
Mighty Mint is the most sought-after natural spray for spiders. The unit is eco-friendly, using no harsh chemicals that can harm your plants or even humans. It is thus safe for use in homes and garages.
Moreover, Mighty mint is extra concentrated, allowing for extended protection to your home against the infestation by spiders. It features proven natural ingredients effective in the real world, and its large 16oz bottle provides convenient spray.
You can also get this unit from Amazon.com. Click the link below to buy.
Buy on Amazon
Final Thoughts
Spiders can be dangerous yet well adapted to stay in hidden areas. Finding spiders around your property can be difficult. But they tend to build webs in undisturbed areas such as around ceilings, fixtures, and windows—which should be a good sign of their presence.
To get rid of spiders in your garage, start by eliminating their hideouts and prey. Any measures that make your home pest-free will also eradicate spiders from your home.