Even if you don’t have arachnophobia, spiders can still be extremely tricky to deal with, especially if you notice them on your ceiling.
What’s more, smacking the spider while it is on the wall could ruin your paint and leave a pretty persistent stain you’d probably have to paint over.
In this article, we will talk about dealing with a spider infestation and the most common causes behind spider nests in your home.
We will also focus on the most effective methods of killing a spider on the ceiling without making a huge mess.
Why does a spider appear on the ceiling?
Spiders are very persistent pests that can appear “out of nowhere,” which means that there doesn’t have to be a particular reason behind a spider infestation in your home.
That being said, it will be much easier to deal with them and stop them from making spider nests all over your house if you know exactly what attracts them to your property.
1. Warmth
The warmth of your house, especially in the colder months, is something you can’t control in order to repel spiders, but it certainly attracts them and allows them to lay spider eggs.
As persistent as they are, many spider species cannot survive outside when it’s cold, so they will start looking for warmer places, especially if they’re looking to lay eggs. Once they lay eggs in their nest, baby spiders could cause a spider infestation in your home, which is why it is important to deal with spiders and their nests as soon as you notice the pests.
2. Pests
A spider feeds off other pests, including fruit flies, mosquitoes, flies, all kinds of bugs (including cockroaches), as well as moths.
In case your house is already infested with these species, spiders could enter your house to find their prey, spread out their webs, and wait for the insect to get trapped.
Whether it be a wolf spider, cobweb spider, or sac spider, you will notice a spider web somewhere around the house, which is the first clue that something needs to be done before they lay spider eggs.
3. Standing water
In case you have any standing water on your property or in your house, including ponds, pools, or simply standing water in your sink or bathtub, spiders and other pests could be attracted to it.
Spiders are attracted to water in general, not only to hydrate but also to prey on insects that could be found nearby.
4. Humidity
Just like it is attracted to standing water, a house spider will also appear in areas with high levels of humidity and moisture.
This is precisely why you will often find spiders in your basement, attic, and bathroom. This kind of setting also allows for the spider to lay its egg sac, which is basically the root of a spider infestation.
5. Garbage
Since pests such as cockroaches are extremely attracted to food leftovers and garbage in general, you may also notice spiders in your home if you’re not taking out the trash in a timely manner.
Remember that spiders prey on insects, and they will generally appear anywhere that insects can be located.
6. Cracks and gaps in your home
Cracks and gaps in your walls and floors represent the main entrance points for pests, including spiders.
In case you keep noticing spider webs on the ceiling, it could be that the wall is cracked or damaged. Even the smallest gap is enough for the spider to enter the room looking for prey and a warm place to lay its spider eggs.
7. Poisonous spider area
It is extremely important to be aware of your surroundings and the spider species that could appear in your area.
The poisonous spider species in the United States include the brown recluse spiders, the hobo, and the black widow.
If these dangerous spiders are common in your area, it is necessary to be in contact with pest control and have them take over, as it would be extremely dangerous to deal with a venomous spider yourself.
How to kill a spider on the ceiling?
There are certain factors that could attract spiders, such as the humidity and warmth of your home, that you cannot precisely change or improve.
Luckily, other aspects can certainly be controlled, and there are effective methods you can use to kill a spider on the ceiling without any direct contact. Keep on reading to learn more!
1. Pest control
We believe that the most important piece of advice when dealing with spiders is to determine if they’re harmless, or if they belong to one of the poisonous species in North America that we’ve mentioned.
In case you live in an area where brown recluse spiders, the black widow, or the hobo can be found, it is necessary to contact pest control in your area immediately and leave your house until they arrive. You should never approach a poisonous spider and try to kill it since a spider bite from these spiders could be life-threatening.
Even if you managed to kill this spider on your ceiling, there could be spider eggs all around the property, which is an issue that can be tackled only by professionals.
Pest control isn’t only an extremely wise solution if you’re dealing with dangerous spiders. Any kind of spider infestation can be a complex matter that requires professional methods.
That being said, if you’re noticing signs of a spider infestation (a large number of spider eggs, spider webs all over the house), we recommend hiring pest control to permanently solve this issue.
2. Vacuum cleaner
One of the best ways to get rid of a spider on the ceiling without having to touch it is to use a vacuum cleaner.
Simply vacuum the spider using a vacuum hose or a handheld vacuum and make sure to empty the bag/dirt cup outside of your house afterward. You can also use this technique with any spider eggs and webs.
3. Capture and release the spider
Not all spiders are the enemy! If you feel bad killing the spider and you’d rather remove it from your house but let it leave outside, you can simply trap it using a paper towel or a cup.
Many spider species are actually quite beneficial to humans, as they eliminate many pests and play a very important role in the biological management of pest populations.
Carefully capture the spider, and then quickly release it outside before it escapes back into your home.
4. Water and lemon juice mix
The acidity from the lemon juice can act as a natural spider repellent. All you need to do is mix some water and lemon juice in a spray bottle and spray the spider, as well as all the areas of your home where you’ve been noticing spiders.
As opposed to chemical spider repellents, this natural mixture will have your house smelling like citrus fruits, and it is free of any dangerous compounds that could affect you or your pets.
5. Vinegar
Vinegar is yet another highly effective spider repellent that you can use in your home, not just directly on the spider, but all over your house to repel spiders in general.
Combine one part white vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle, and give it a good mix to allow the components to combine before you start using this natural spider repellent.
Anything acidic will make the spider flee the ceiling and quite possibly kill it in the long run. You may also combine vinegar with some mint essential oil or fresh mint, as mint is yet another spider repellent (and your house will also smell much better than if you were to use just plain white vinegar).
6. Bug spray
Unlike natural spider repellents, bug spray is much more effective in killing spiders pretty much on the spot.
We recommend using a bug spray only if you notice a minor spider infestation in your home and you don’t necessarily think that pest control is needed in this situation.
Keep in mind that many bug sprays contain strong chemicals that could be harmful to you and your pets. Make sure you do your research and only use the product according to the instructions.
It is also not recommended to use these products often. After applying bug spray, you may also need to air out the room to release the chemical fumes from the air.
7. Boric acid
Remember how we mentioned that spiders can enter your home through the smallest gaps and holes in your walls and floors, and even hide and lay eggs in there?
You can stop a spider infestation at the very entrance point by applying some boric acid in these little cracks and gaps.
You can also apply boric acid in any moist, dark, hidden places that could be a good hiding and nesting spot for spiders.
Note that this is not a solution for killing a spider on the ceiling, but for killing spiders in small, dark spaces and preventing them from laying eggs and spreading all over your house.
David Kessler is a CSLB licensed contractor with over 25 years of experience. He is specialized in home building, construction, and electrical works; he also has a keen eye for interior design and, over the years, has collaborated with various architects.
