It’s time to confess. You know that it’s true. You’ve seen the webs in the corners. Some of them are even collecting dust. You probably should have admitted it was a problem years ago, but it’s never too late. Just say it once, out loud: “There are spiders in my basement.”

That’s good. You’re going to be all right. Are you feeling determined to figure out how get rid of spiders and how to kill spiders in basements? Then arm yourself with these four tips.

1 POWER OF KNOWLEDGE.

Spiders in basements can be hard to find. Before you head out on an unguided quest, learn more about the type of spiders you might be looking for. Most spiders that hide in basements are web builders. Common web builders found in homes include funnel weavers, cellar spiders, comb-footed spiders and crevice spiders. Keep a special eye out for black widows and brown recluse spiders. Both have a preference for secluded areas, and while they are not usually aggressive, they have toxic venom and may strike if threatened.

3 WEB REMOVAL.

The best way to remove spiders in basements is to start by removing their webs. Try to remove as many objects as possible away from the walls. Pick up any smaller objects from the floor and move them to the center of the room. With a cleared floor, take a broom or vacuum cleaner along the corners, edges and surfaces of your basement – both floor and ceiling. Funnel weavers build large, sheet-sized webs. These webs will be the easiest to find. Crevice spiders, however, as their name suggests, build webs in much tighter areas.

4 EXCLUSION.

For spiders to build a population in your basement, they must first get inside. Reduce this possibility by ensuring that you have tight seals around entry and exit points in your home. Fill any cracks, gaps or holes with caulk, hardware cloth or other suitable materials.

5 PROFESSIONAL HELP.

Often, the most effective way to reduce a spider population is to hire a pest management professional. Choosing a professional will provide you with more exclusion options, insulation services and pest elimination possibilities.

Figuring out how to get rid of spiders in basements can be a challenge, but with the right information and a bit of professional help, instead of saying, “I have spiders in my basement,” you could be saying, “What spiders?”