Quick answer
Spiders follow food and shelter. Take those away and most spiders leave. Here’s what works:
- Cut down the insects they eat — fewer bugs around lights and in the basement means fewer spiders.
- Vacuum webs and egg sacs regularly in corners, basements and garages.
- Dry out the basement with a dehumidifier.
- Seal gaps around windows, doors, vents and utility lines, and add door sweeps.
- Clear clutter, firewood and dense plants away from the house.
Most house spiders in the Chicago area are harmless. If webs keep coming back within days, or you think you’ve found a black widow, a professional barrier treatment is the faster fix.
Which Spider Is It? Common Spiders in Chicagoland Homes
The vast majority of spiders in Chicago-area homes are harmless and actually eat other pests. Here’s how to tell the common ones apart:
| American house spider | Cellar spider | Wolf spider | Black widow | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Small — about ¼ inch body | Tiny body, very long thin legs | ½–1 inch body, hairy | About ½ inch body (female) |
| Look | Brown-gray with a round abdomen | Pale; often called “daddy longlegs” | Brown-gray with stripes; runs fast, no web | Shiny black with a red hourglass underneath |
| Where you see them | Messy cobwebs in corners, windows and basements | Basement ceilings and corners | Basements, garages and ground floors — wander in during fall | Woodpiles, garages, sheds, under outdoor furniture |
| Risk | Harmless; bites are rare | Harmless | May bite if handled; painful but not dangerous for most people | Venomous — a bite needs medical attention |
What about brown recluse spiders? In Illinois they’re found mainly in the central and southern parts of the state and are uncommon in the Chicago suburbs. If you think you’ve found one, text us a photo before doing anything else.
Not sure what kind of spider it is? Text a photo — a licensed technician will identify it for free.
Text a Photo — Free Spider IDNo obligation to book. Or call (708) 907-1872
How Bad Is Your Spider Problem?
A spider or two is normal, especially in fall. Webs that come back within days usually mean spiders have plenty to eat. Tick everything that applies:
30-second spider check
Why Spiders Move Into Chicagoland Homes Every Fall
- Fall brings them in. In September and October many spiders, like wolf spiders, wander indoors as temperatures drop, and males roam looking for mates.
- They follow the bugs. Spiders hunt insects, so homes with lots of insects around porch lights, damp basements and gardens get more spiders.
- Damp basements. Humid basements and crawl spaces keep cellar spiders and the insects they eat comfortable all year.
- Easy ways in. Gaps around windows, doors, siding and vents — plus spiders riding in on firewood, plants and boxes.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Rid of Spiders Yourself
Killing spiders one by one doesn’t last. These steps take away what draws them in, so fewer come back.
Vacuum Webs and Egg Sacs
Vacuum spiders, webs and egg sacs in corners, window frames, basements and garages. Empty the vacuum outside in a sealed bag.
Cut Down Their Food
Swap outdoor bulbs for yellow “bug light” or warm LED bulbs, which attract fewer insects. Turn off porch lights when you don’t need them and close blinds at night.
Dry Out the Basement
Run a dehumidifier — around 50% humidity is a good target — and fix leaks. Fewer damp-loving insects means fewer spiders.
Seal Entry Points
Caulk gaps around windows, utility lines and siding, repair torn screens, and install door sweeps on exterior and garage doors.
Clear Hiding Spots
Reduce clutter in basements and garages, use sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard, and move firewood, leaf piles and dense shrubs away from the foundation.
Monitor With Sticky Traps
Place glue traps along baseboards in the basement and garage. They catch wandering spiders and show you where they’re getting in.
Wear gloves when moving firewood, boxes or outdoor furniture, and never handle a spider you think might be a black widow.
Webs back within days? A licensed tech can treat the outside and the entry points.
Get a Free Quote — We Call Back in 15 MinOr call (708) 907-1872 · Mon–Fri 8–5, Sat 9–12
What Not to Do
- Setting off bug bombs. The spray settles on open surfaces, not in the cracks where spiders hide, and leaves residue on everything.
- Relying on peppermint oil or “spider repellent” sprays. There’s little evidence they give lasting results.
- Killing spiders and ignoring the bugs they eat. As long as there’s food, new spiders keep moving in.
- Moving firewood or stored boxes bare-handed. That’s where black widows hide.
- Spraying insecticide all over the house. A targeted barrier at entry points and the foundation works far better — and always follow the label.
Why DIY Spider Control Often Fails
- The food source stays. Insects around lights, gardens and damp basements keep attracting new spiders.
- The outside is out of reach. Heavy webbing on eaves and second-story windows is hard to clear and treat from the ground.
- Egg sacs hatch. One sac can hold dozens to hundreds of spiderlings.
- Gaps stay open. Without sealing, new spiders walk right back in.
When to call a professional: webs come back within days, you see spiders in several rooms, heavy webbing covers the eaves or upper floors, or you suspect a black widow.
DIY vs. Professional: What It Costs in Chicagoland
Vacuuming, sealing and sticky traps cost very little and help a lot — but they don’t reach the eaves or treat the foundation, and there’s no guarantee.
EcoWall spider control: a one-time de-webbing and barrier treatment from $219 (30-day re-treatment guarantee), or Quarterly Protection from $49/month to keep spiders and the insects they feed on down year-round, with a 90-day guarantee. Exact price is confirmed on-site before work begins — see what’s included.
What to Expect From a Professional Treatment
- Inspection: the technician finds entry points and the insects that are feeding your spiders.
- De-webbing: eaves, windows, soffits and corners cleared, including egg sacs.
- Barrier treatment: around the foundation, windows, doors and other entry points.
- Follow-up: quarterly visits keep numbers down through spring and fall, when spiders are most active.
How to Keep Spiders From Coming Back
- Use yellow or warm LED bulbs outside
- Run a dehumidifier in the basement
- Install door sweeps and repair window screens
- Caulk gaps around windows, pipes and siding
- Keep firewood off the ground and away from the house
- Trim shrubs back from the walls
- Store items in sealed plastic bins, not cardboard
- Vacuum corners and window frames every couple of weeks
Spider Control FAQ
Are the spiders in my house dangerous?
Most spiders in Chicago-area homes — house spiders, cellar spiders, wolf spiders and jumping spiders — are harmless to people and pets. Black widows live in Illinois but are uncommon inside homes; they prefer woodpiles, garages and sheds. Brown recluse spiders are found mainly in central and southern Illinois and are uncommon around Chicago.
Why are there so many spiders in my house in the fall?
As temperatures drop in September and October, many spiders look for shelter, and male spiders wander looking for mates. Homes with gaps around doors and windows and plenty of insects inside see the most.
Will spiders go away on their own?
Not while they have food and shelter. Cutting down the insects they eat, drying out the basement and sealing gaps is what makes spiders leave and stay away.
Do peppermint oil or ultrasonic repellers keep spiders away?
There’s little evidence that either one gives lasting results. Sealing entry points, reducing insects and a targeted barrier treatment work much better.
What does a black widow look like?
Female black widows are shiny black with a red or orange hourglass mark on the underside of the abdomen, with a body about ½ inch long. Don’t handle one — keep children and pets away and text us a photo.
How long does spider control take?
You’ll usually notice fewer spiders and webs within days of a de-webbing and barrier treatment. Because new spiders come in from outside each season, quarterly treatments keep numbers down long term.
How much does spider control cost in Chicagoland?
At EcoWall Pest Control, a one-time de-webbing and barrier treatment starts at $219, and Quarterly Protection starts at $49/month. The exact price is confirmed on-site before any work begins.
Spider Control Near You
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