Homemade Spider Traps - Construction and Use

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Homemade Spider Traps - Easy-to-construct sticky traps -	Summary: Sticky board traps are a safe and effective method for eliminating a variety of crawling insects and spiders. The traps are easy to construct of cardboard and sticky Tangle Trap™ coating. Jack DeAngelis, PhD OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)

Wandering (hunting) spiders

Most spiders stay close to their webs lying in wait for prey. Some spiders, however, wander in search of prey, or mates at certain times of the year. Male hobo spiders (in fall) and recluse spiders are of this wandering type. Since wandering species move from place to place they are more likely to be encountered. The number of wandering-type spiders found indoors can be reduced using sticky board traps.

Sticky board traps are made of cardboard with a sticky material coating on one surface. They are placed along baseboards where wandering spiders tend to move. Spiders are trapped when they try to cross the sticky surface. No insecticides or attractants (pheromones) are needed.

Layout for homemade wandering spider trap. Fold along lines and tape along top to make a triangular "tube".

Traps can be purchased or homemade. The simplest homemade trap is a piece of cardboard folded into a triangular tube about four inches long and three inches high. Coat the bottom, inside surface with TangleTrap Insect Trap Coating™.

Constructing the spider trap

Cut a piece of cardboard (cereal box cardboard works great) about 4"x9". Draw lines at 3" intervals along the long side (see drawing at right). Paint the middle section with TangleTrap sticky coating. Use the "brush-on" type formula. If the cardboard is too absorbent coat it first with a water-based polyurethane, or use the printed side. Fold the sides up and tape along top making a "tube".

Be sure to use the "brush-on" formula of TangleTrap.You can order TangleTrap through a lawn and garden store or from Gempler's (right), one of our affiliates. The cost of brush-on Tangle Trap is about $20 per quart. The same material can also be used for other homemade insect traps for pests like ants and cockroaches.

Place traps with long side against baseboards, behind furniture and inside cabinets. Spiders usually travel near the base of walls. When they encounter the trap opening they will wander inside and get caught in the sticky material. Dispose of used or dirty traps in household trash.

Venomous Spiders

Only a very few spiders are really dangerous. This article discusses three species that occur in North America.

The Pest Management Store

Identification guides, reference and gardening books, etc.

Click on the Gemplers link above and search for "Tangle Trap" in their search box.

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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.

Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.

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