How Do You Get Rid of Daddy Long Leg Spiders?

If I may ask, how do you get rid of daddy long-leg spiders in your home and environment?  Daddy long legs are notoriously weak and simple to kill.

But to be on the safe side, we have compiled quick procedures that will streamline the process and ensure you do it correctly to get rid of these pests once and for all.

How do you get rid of daddy long-leg spiders will be answered below, continue reading to know more. But first of all, what is daddy long leg spider?

 

What is a Daddy Long Leg Spider?

Daddy-long-legs Spiders are easily distinguished from other insects by their long, skinny legs about tiny bodies.

The pale carapace of a Pholcus phalangioides is spotted with brown, and the abdomen is cream to pale brown and lightly patterned.

The abdomen of the Marbled Cellar Spider (Holocnemus pluchei), for example, is strongly patterned, with a dark stripe running along its undersurface.

 

What Does Daddy Long Leg Spider Look Like?

The Pale Daddy Longlegs, scientifically known as Smeringopus pallidus, is a species of spider that can be discovered in houses all around the world.

They have a body that is elongated and cylindrical in shape, and the dorsal surface is covered with patches of a purple color.

The body length of a male grows to about 7 mm, which is significantly less than that of a female.

Below are pictures of daddy long leg spider:

How Do You Get Rid Of Daddy Long Leg Spiders

How Do You Get Rid Of Daddy Long Leg Spiders?

 

Read also: What are the Spiders in Las Vegas? Pictures

 

Are Daddy Long Leg Spiders Poisonous?

No. Despite widespread belief to the contrary, daddy long legs do not possess fangs long enough to puncture human skin, dispelling the long-held myth that they are among the most poisonous spiders.

This, for the record, is untrue. Daddy long legs indeed lack both venom glands and teeth. They are completely harmless to humans.

The misinformation originates from a failure to properly identify cellar spiders (which are also commonly referred to as daddy longlegs spiders).

The spider family to which cellar spiders and daddy long legs belong is entirely distinct.

 

Where to Find Daddy Long Leg Spiders

In the spring and summer, daddy long legs will be a nuisance in your home and garden. A common place to find daddy long legs is near a pond, stream, or other body of water.

You might come across these pests in your home if you have a basement, garage, or crawl space, as these are all dark, damp places that cater to their preferences.

During the fall, the female daddy long legs deposit eggs in damp soil, where they will hatch the following spring. Their lifespan is a year in the northern United States, but two years in the milder southern climate.

 

Read also: Crab Spiders; Fact, Identification, Behavior & Control

 

How Do You Get Rid of Daddy Long Leg Spiders?

Below are ways how to get rid of daddy long-leg spiders.

 

1. Providing Damp-Free Housing

The book “How to Get Rid of Stuff” stresses the importance of keeping the environment damp for the daddy long legs.

Foraging for the tiny insects that make up their diet, wet environments are a natural choice for these creatures.

Make sure the damp doesn’t spread throughout the house by maintaining a dry basement, garage, kitchen, closets, and bathrooms.

Leaky sinks, showers, and toilets should be repaired immediately. Use stoppers or call a plumber to fix these.

 

2. The cleaner that uses a vacuum

Even the weakest spider, like a daddy with long legs, has no chance against the might of a vacuum cleaner.

Simple dragging of the cleaner to the spiders’ gathering spot and straight-mouthed sucking should do the trick.

Daddy long legs can be prevented by eliminating the small insects they feed on, so cleaning the carpet and furniture is also a good idea.

 

Read also: How Do I Get Rid of a Spider Infestation?

 

3. Appying Bleach

Bleach is 100% effective at killing any insect or spider that comes into contact with it. These organisms are especially vulnerable to the effects of thick bleach, like that used for bathroom cleaning.

To make a disinfectant spray, mix equal parts bleach and water in a spray bottle. The mixture’s efficacy increases proportionally with the amount of bleach added.

Combine the two liquids and put them to immediate use. In comparison to other types of spiders, daddy-long-legs tend to be quite delicate.

Killing them with bleach is a quick and easy process that will take only a few seconds.

 

4. Applying Boric Acid

The use of boric acid or hydrogen borate as a dusting aids in the extermination of daddy long-legs by either deterring or killing the pests.

Boric acid has microscopic crystal particles that can penetrate the exoskeleton of a spider or insect and cause tiny leaks of bodily fluids.

The powder has a good chance of sticking to these animals as well. Then, when they ingest it while grooming, they’ll become dehydrated and suffer stomach damage.

To use boric acid, simply sprinkle it in the areas where the daddy long-legs are known to lurk. Keep in mind, though, that you shouldn’t let kids or pets near the powder.

Even though many producers stamp their products with the word “safe,” they still pose a threat to your health if you take them in any form.

 

Read also: How to Keep Spiders Out of Garage

 

5. Utilizing Essential oils

Essential oils have a wide variety of applications. However, lemon, peppermint, tea tree oil, eucalyptus, and lavender are all effective at warding off spiders.

Compounds like d-limonene found naturally in these oils have been found to have anti-insect properties.

Put a few drops of each oil into a spray bottle to make your repellent. You just need to add water before you can start using it.

Add more of the same oil or try mixing different oils to increase the potency of the mixture.

 

6. Using Spidercides

One of the simplest ways to get rid of daddy long-legs is to use a product designed to kill spiders.

The Terro Spider Killer and similar sprays are made to kill spiders and other insects in a single application. It can also be used to set up temporary or permanent obstructions.

Spray it in the areas you’ve found spider nests to discourage their return. Some of their most popular stowing-away spots are seldom-visited nooks and crannies like the cellar, attic, and garage.

 

Finally

If you make it this far, you will be familiar with methods for eliminating daddy long legs. In this article, you will find out more about daddy long legs, including their uses and characteristics.

I trust you found some useful information here. Feel free to share your methods for eliminating daddy long-legged spiders below.

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