A Complete Guide to Eliminating Daddy Long Legs from Your Home

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Get rid of & prevent daddy long legs infestations with these tips
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Daddy long legs, or harvestmen, are spindly, 8-legged arachnids often mistaken for spiders. While these creatures are harmless to humans and often eat unwanted pests, having a daddy long leg infestation in your home can be an inconvenience. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to remove daddy long legs from your home and prevent future infestations. Plus, learn how to tell the difference between daddy long legs and cellar spiders.

Things You Should Know

  • Deep clean and declutter your home to get rid of daddy long legs. They hide in dim, moist areas.
  • Repair any cracks in windows, doors, and pipes to prevent daddy long legs from entering your home.
  • If you have plants, remove dead leaves to eliminate daddy long legs’ food source.
Section 1 of 3:

How to Get Rid of Daddy Long Legs

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    If the infestation isn’t too big, the simplest solution is to vacuum them using your vacuum cleaner’s hose attachment, then dispose of them in a sealed plastic bag. You can also knock them down with your broom and sweep them up. [1]
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    If you have a large infestation of daddy long legs, try placing sticky traps near windows and light sources, as well as your basement or tight, cramped areas. Since these are the areas daddy long legs are likely to gather, you’ll have the most luck trapping them. [2]
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    Not only will insect repellent deter daddy long legs, but it will also get rid of other insects. Since daddy long legs eat insects and other small invertebrates, they’ll likely move on to another location if there are no insects in your house. When spraying the repellent, pay special attention to corners and dark, moist areas. [3]
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    Daddy long legs feed on insects and decaying plant matter. If you have houseplants, remove any dead or wilting leaves, and sweep up any dead flies or other insects that the daddy long legs might feast upon. [4]
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    If the infestation is large and you’ve tried all other solutions, consult a pest control professional to discuss other options. In general, since daddy long legs are harmless, it’s best to avoid using chemical pesticides to get rid of them, so a professional may provide you with other options. [5]
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Prevent Daddy Long Legs Infestations

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    Declutter and deep clean your house , especially areas like your basement, to remove tight spaces in which daddy long legs could hide. Get rid of any unnecessary boxes or papers and dust everything down to get rid of cobwebs. Decluttering also removes hiding spots for other insects which daddy long legs eat. If they don’t have a food source, they won’t infest your home. [6]
    • Daddy long legs often seek shelter in homes during extremely hot or cold weather. They’re often found in basements and crawl spaces or any other area with low light and moisture. They can also fit into tight areas, so check the corners of your walls and behind any boxes or storage areas. [7]
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    Just as sealing cracks can help you get rid of a current infestation, it can also help you prevent one. Take the time to carefully inspect your doors and windows and check for any entry points in your pipes or basement. Use caulk and weatherstripping to patch up any cracks or gaps. [8]
    • Consider installing screens on your windows and doors, as well.
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    Daddy long legs prefer damp environments, so fix any leaks you might have, and make sure your bathroom and basement have proper ventilation by opening windows and turning on extractor fans. Remove any standing water from mop buckets or sinks. [9]
    • While ventilating a room, try to keep windows open (or at least cracked) on dry days. If the weather is highly humid, however, keep them closed.
    • If you need to ventilate an area without windows, use a dehumidifier .
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    Peppermint , lavender , and tea tree oil naturally repel insects. Add a few drops of oil to a spray bottle of water and spray the solution around your home to keep daddy long legs and other pests away. Pay special attention to corners and moist or cluttered areas. [10]
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    Daddy long legs are often attracted to light and may seek out the light in your home. To avoid this, turn off any outdoor lights and close your curtains or blinds at night. [11]
    • Because they’re attracted to light, daddy long legs often cluster around windows and light sources, which often gives the appearance of an infestation.
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Section 3 of 3:

How to Identify Daddy Long Legs

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    Sometimes known as harvestmen, daddy long legs are 8-legged arachnids, but they’re not actually spiders. They belong to the Opilione order while spiders are Araneae. However, they’re often mistaken for cellar spiders due to their similar appearance. Here are some ways to tell if you’re dealing with daddy long legs or spiders: [12]
    • Legs: Daddy long legs have extremely long, thin legs that can be several times the length of their body. Each leg usually has 7 segments.
    • Body shape: Daddy long legs have a small, round body consisting of the cephalothorax and the abdomen. Unlike spiders, they do not have a distinct waist or narrow connection between their body parts. Instead, the body appears as a single segment.
    • Coloration: Daddy long legs are typically brown, gray, or have a pale yellowish color to help them blend in with their surroundings.
    • Eyes: Daddy long legs have 2 eyes that are small, simple, and located on top of their cephalothorax. They do not have the specialized vision spiders possess.
    • Venom production: Daddy long legs do not produce venom and are not harmful to humans. Spiders, on the other hand, do possess venom glands and can be harmful to humans depending on the species.
    • Silk production: Daddy long legs do not possess silk-producing spinnerets, while true spiders do.
    • Antennae: Some daddy long leg species have long, whip-like antennae that extend from their heads.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What else can I do to prevent daddy-long legs near our home?
    Chris Parker
    Pest Control Specialist
    Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. Since 2016, Chris has been specializing in Integrated Pest Management and doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more. Chris is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his bachelor’s from the University of Washington.
    Chris Parker
    Pest Control Specialist
    Expert Answer
    You can also create at least a one-foot perimeter around your home that is free of vegetation, shrubs, and storage items like firewood. Also, apply a basic insecticide treatment around the perimeter of your home to reduce both the long legs and the insects that they feed on. Another cool trick that I use is installing exterior porch lights with a lower visible frequency to attract fewer insects overall.
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      Tips

      • Since daddy long legs eat insects and other pests, they’re generally considered beneficial. Consider leaving them alone rather than getting rid of them, as they may prevent other infestations.
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      Warnings

      • If you have pets, be careful when using essential oils, as some (like peppermint) are toxic to cats and dogs. Always do some research before using them to make sure they’re safe. [13]
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      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about pest control, check out our in-depth interview with Chris Parker .

      References

      1. ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/daddy-longlegs/
      2. ↑ https://www.michepestcontrol.com/pest-library/spiders/daddy-long-leg-spiders
      3. ↑ https://spiders.ucr.edu/daddy-long-legs
      4. ↑ https://spiders.ucr.edu/daddy-long-legs
      5. ↑ https://www.michepestcontrol.com/pest-library/spiders/daddy-long-leg-spiders
      6. ↑ https://extension.sdstate.edu/sites/default/files/2022-07/P-00246.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.montana.edu/extension/flathead/documents/ag/spiders-insects/Idaho%20Hobo%20Spider%20bulletin.pdf
      8. ↑ https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1412&title=insect-and-arthropod-pests-of-southeastern-neighborhoods
      9. ↑ https://spiders.ucr.edu/daddy-long-legs
      1. ↑ https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fagro.2022.876687/full
      2. ↑ https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/structural-pest-control/spiders.html
      3. ↑ https://www.pctonline.com/article/fiction-fact/
      4. ↑ https://www.foundanimals.org/essential-oils-toxic-pets/

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