How to Catch a Spider

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Removing a spider from your home or capturing it for observation isn’t as easy as simply scooping it up by hand. Some species of spiders bite when they’re provoked, causing painful swelling and irritation, which means they aren’t safe to handle directly. Furthermore, spiders are beneficial predators that are good to have around, so killing them should only be a last resort. By using a few simple trapping methods, such as web removal, commercial bug catchers, or the old jar and paper trick, you can rid your home of unwanted arachnids or preserve them for up-close study without putting them, or yourself, at unnecessary risk.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Scooping the Spider into a Jar

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  1. When you see an eight-legged intruder scuttling across the floor and you need to act fast to avoid losing it, reach for a transparent glass jar or drinking cup. Lower the jar over the spider to halt its movement. Make sure the rim of the glass is flat against the ground so the spider can’t crawl out. [1]
    • Just about any jar or cup will get the job done, but clear containers work best since you’ll be able to see the spider at all times.
  2. Without lifting the jar, slip the paper beneath the rim and push it through to the other side. Center the jar over the piece of paper. The spider will be trapped between the 2 surfaces. [2]
    • An envelope or index card will also do the trick. These materials tend to be sturdier than regular copy paper, as well, making your makeshift prison more secure.
    • Whatever type of paper you use needs to be large enough to cover the mouth of the jar completely.
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  3. Place one hand on the underside of the paper and the other on the top of the jar. Keep a little bit of pressure on both items as you make your way to the door to keep the spider from escaping.
    • Try not to tilt or jostle the jar on top of the paper, or the movement could create an opening.
  4. If your goal is to simply get the spider out of your home, carry it a few yards away and release it into the grass. Give the area where you found the first spider a quick scan before you put up your jar, as there could be others around.
    • Be careful when transporting the jar. Dropping it will just leave you with broken glass to clean up and a spider on the loose.
  5. If you’d rather keep the captive critter as a pet, turn the jar upside down and slowly slide the paper away from the mouth. This should dislodge the spider, causing it to drop right in. [3]
    • Before you stop to admire your new pet spider, secure the lid of the jar or find another object to fit over the top. It won’t take long for it to climb out if there’s nothing in its way.
    • Create a more natural habitat for your pet spider by introducing some small leaves, twigs, rocks, and a small amount of water to the jar. Don’t forget to poke holes in the lid so it will have plenty of air!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Sweeping Up the Spider

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  1. Whisk the bristles over the spider gently, being careful not to be too forceful. Once it’s inside, pick up the dustpan and set the broom down—you’ll need your other hand to ensure that your little friend doesn’t go anywhere. [4]
    • If the spider tries to get away, use the broom to block its path and direct it into the awaiting dustpan.
  2. As you head outside, drum your fingers against the dustpan. The vibrations will confuse the spider, causing it to freeze in its tracks. Keep tapping steadily until you get to the spot where you want to release it. [5]
    • Hold the dustpan away from your body, just in case. You don’t want it crawling all over you if it gets out!
  3. Turn the spider loose. Alternatively, you can try to funnel it into a jar or other container for collection. It may be necessary to scrape it out with another object if it’s clinging to the dustpan.
    • Don’t bang the dustpan against the ground. Just give it a light shake, or upend it and let the spider make its way out on its own.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using a Handheld Bug Catcher Device

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  1. Handheld bug catchers are comprised of a long shaft and a bristle tip or trap door which makes it possible to collect and relocate insects without actually touching them. They can be found at gardening centers and home improvement stores, or in the housewares aisle of most supermarkets.
    • These devices are inexpensive and can be very convenient to have on hand. You can usually pick one up for less than $20.
  2. Once you’ve got the spider in your sights, press the tip of the device into the surface around it to keep it from crawling any further. Be careful not to crush it while you swoop in.
    • Make sure the end of the device is open all the way to increase your chances of a successful catch.
  3. The soft bristles on the tip of the device will gently enclose the spider without harming it. Trapdoor devices work similarly to the jar and paper method—the hollow chamber holds the spider in place while the retractable door slides closed beneath it. [6]
    • Using a bug catcher is one of the easiest and most humane ways to deal with invasive critters.
  4. When you’re a distance away from your home, release the catch and let your captive go free. Repeat this process every time you come across a spider to keep your home free of creepy crawlies or add to your specimen collection.
  5. While you’ve got your long-handled bug catcher out, you can use it to tear down webs you find in hard-to-reach nooks like ceiling corners and closet shelves. Clear away as much of the web as you can. That way, another spider won’t pop back up in its place.
    • Check back over the next couple of days to make sure no newcomers have moved in.
    • Inspect your entire living space for spider webs periodically. It’s recommended that you take care of them as soon as you discover them to prevent infestations.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Removing the Spider's Web

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  1. Spiders have been known to construct their homes in cupboards and corners indoors, as well as inside bushes and mailboxes and around light fixtures outside. Look around your property for tell-tale clues or spider activity, like wisps of webbing, small, round egg sacs, and clusters of dead insects. [7] [8]
    • Spiders prefer to make their nests in cool, dark places, like attics, basements, closets, tool sheds, and outdoor areas with lots of shelter from the sun. [9]
    • Get rid of webs containing egg sacs right away—if they’re allowed to hatch, you may find your house or prized begonias swarming with baby spiders. [10]
  2. Assuming that you find the web in a bush or houseplant, an easy way to deal with it is to clip the leaves or twigs anchoring it. You just want to snap off enough to loosen the web. [11]
    • Avoid doing too much damage to your plants. Leave buds and blossoms where they are and don’t interfere with healthy growth unless you have no other options.
    • Disrupting the spider’s web, even if it’s nowhere in sight, will make it less likely to return to the same spot.
  3. If the web is somewhere inside your home, grab a pencil or similar object and run it around the edges of the web where the tiny threads connect. This should break it free from the surface while leaving it mostly intact. [12]
    • The sticky web will cling to the object you’re holding, letting you manipulate it without difficulty.
  4. Take the web, spider and all, outside, using the remnants of the plant or other tool to hold it. To capture the spider, insert the entire web into a lidded container with a large opening, like a terrarium or shoebox. Place a lid over the container, punching holes for ventilation if necessary.
    • If you’re feeling charitable, transfer the web to another structure where the spider can begin rebuilding it.
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  • Question
    What about spiders that fly?
    Community Answer
    There are no spiders that fly.
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  • Question
    Where do I find a spider?
    Community Answer
    Outside, look on plants and tree branches. Inside, look around the basement of your house if you have one.
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  • Question
    I found a jumping spider but he escaped during the night. I have geckos in my room. Will they eat the spider?
    Community Answer
    If the spider hides, it will survive. If a jumping spider lands on a surface similar to its color, it virtually disappears.
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      Tips

      • Should you decide to capture a spider as a pet, only keep one per jar. Spiders will devour each other if they’re left nearby together.
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      • These methods can just as easily be used to entrap other types that frequently find their way into homes, including beetles, ladybugs, and centipedes.
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      • If the spider is near an open door or window, you can save yourself a lot of trouble by simply shooing it out.
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      Warnings

      • Should you happen to encounter a potentially lethal species such as a black widow or brown recluse, don’t try to wrangle it yourself. Instead, call a pest control service. These spiders are extremely dangerous to handle, and a single bite could result in severe injury.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Jar or drinking cup
      • Piece of sturdy paper
      • Handheld bug catcher device
      • Broom and dustpan
      • Pencil, stick, or similar object (for detaching spider webs)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUEcFamxrf0&feature=youtu.be&t=18
      2. ↑ https://www.tubchairs.com/blog/how-to-keep-spiders-out/
      3. ↑ http://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/funstuff/1282/how-to-keep-spiders-as-pets/
      4. ↑ https://www.beyondpesticides.org/assets/media/documents/alternatives/factsheets/Spider%20Control.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.tubchairs.com/blog/how-to-keep-spiders-out/
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUEcFamxrf0&feature=youtu.be&t=42
      7. ↑ Joshua Bloom. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.
      8. ↑ https://homesteady.com/12532026/how-to-find-a-spider-nest
      9. ↑ https://www.beyondpesticides.org/assets/media/documents/alternatives/factsheets/Spider%20Control.pdf
      1. ↑ Joshua Bloom. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.
      2. ↑ https://www.tubchairs.com/blog/how-to-keep-spiders-out/
      3. ↑ https://io9.gizmodo.com/how-does-a-spider-decide-where-to-build-its-web-1643527688

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To catch a spider, wait until it stops moving and lower a glass jar over it, making sure the rim of the glass is flat against the ground so the spider can’t crawl out. Next, slide a folded piece of paper under the jar to trap the spider between the two surfaces. Then, place one hand on the underside of the paper, the other hand on the top of the jar, and lift up the paper and jar simultaneously. Finally, release the spider outside or, if you want to keep it, put a lid on the jar and poke a few air holes in it! For tips on creating a more natural habitat for a captured spider, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Jul 1, 2023

        "The spider catcher idea helped me catch a huge spider and release it safely. Thanks!"
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