No one likes having spiders around their home, but getting rid of them is a constant battle. I’ve used several methods, but one I tried recently stands out as the easiest way to remove spider sacs from your home’s exterior.
Now, there’s a difference between the easy way and the best way, so let me share a little rationale before we jump in. Living near a body of water has its advantages, but it also means there are a lot of bugs. Those bugs provide food for spiders, and suddenly, my desire for a peaceful existence and their desire to thrive and reproduce are at serious odds.
I’m under no illusion that I can keep spiders at bay. If you shine a flashlight around my yard after dark, hundreds of tiny eyes light up as spiders engage in their nightly hunt for food. Even though the vast majority pose no threat, their egg sacs and webs create an unsightly look around the windows and soffit of my home. My goal is to keep the house looking good.
The Easiest Way to Remove Spider Sacs
What You’ll Need
There are a few things you’re going to need to get rid of those spider sacs:
- Ryobi 18V One+ Telescoping Power Scrubber Kit: $169 (Buy at Home Depot)
- 9-inch Vortex Medium Bristle Brush: $22.97 (Buy at Home Depot)
- Safety Glasses
- Optional: Wide-brim hat
If you’re already on Ryobi’s 18V One+ system and have batteries, grab the bare tool for $119. Alternatively, there’s also a soap dispensing version if you want to add some versatility ($169 bare, $199 kit).
Also, you can stick with the 6-inch Vortex Medium Bristle Brush that comes with the tool if you want. It just takes a bit longer to work around the house.
How to Remove Spider Sacs from Windows and Soffit
Here’s the cool thing: the only thing you need to do to prepare for spider sac removal is charge your battery and swap to the larger brush.
Pro Tip: DO NOT wet the spider sacs. They get stickier and are more difficult to remove.
Once you’re ready, adjust the length of the shaft and angle of the head on your scrubber, and then turn the motor on.
Since the motor is spinning the brush at a constant rate, all you have to worry about is guiding it to the problem areas.
Run the brush flat against the soffit to get the webs.
To get the sacs in the creases of the soffit and corners of the windows, angle the head to let the edge of the brush get into them.
That’s it! It’s much faster and easier than any of the other methods I’ve tried, including manual brushing and pressure washing.
There’s Just One Thing…
Because you’re dry brushing, you’re going to fling debris around, including some of the sacs. Wear safety glasses and maybe a wide-brim hat to keep things out of your hair.
Once you’re done clearing the sacs, take a hose and rinse off any debris that gathered on your vehicles or porches. Clean off the brush as well to make sure you’re not bringing spiders into your home or garage.
What’s the Best Way to Remove Spider Sacs?
If you’re not okay with the idea of simply cleaning off your house and want a more permanent way to remove spider sacs, it takes a bit more work.
You’ll need a shop vacuum (the higher the power level, the better), vacuum bags for it, an extension cord, and a ladder.
Instead of brushing off the sacs, you’ll use the nozzle and suck them off. Just like with brushing, keep everything dry to make them easier to remove.
As you’re working and shifting your equipment, keep the vacuum on to ensure none of the little buggers crawl back out (unlikely, but possible).
Once you’re done, seal up the bag and send it to the landfill.
How to Keep the Spiders From Coming Back
Unfortunately, there’s no foolproof way to keep spiders from returning. I even checked with my pest control guy to be sure. Since spiders lift themselves up on their legs and don’t pull their feet into their mouths when they eat, typical pesticide applications don’t work. You have to spray the spiders directly on their bodies.
Not all hope is lost, though. Plants like citronella put off a scent that spiders don’t like. By strategically planting them around your home and using citronella candles in areas you like to hang out, you can drive them away.
They also don’t like peppermint scents. If you have the time and desire, you can apply peppermint oil or spray around your soffit and windows. It doesn’t last very long, though, so you’ll have to reapply regularly.
