The Strong Household Solution That'll Destroy Brown Recluse Spider Egg Sacs

A stray cat deciding your home is safe enough to welcome a litter of kittens is adorable. But a spider? That's a hard no. Finding an egg sac can send anyone into a full panic, since dozens of eight-legged babies are the last houseguests you want moving in. If that sac belongs to a brown recluse, extra caution is needed when removing it. If you're unsure what you've found, learning how to identify a brown recluse egg sac can help you avoid mistaking another spider's nursery for one from this venomous species. The species' egg sac is tiny, measuring only 1/3-inch across, with a rounded shape and an off-white, silky exterior. And as far as the best way to remove it? A simple but strong household solution can help to destroy the eggs. When we say simple, we mean it — you can get rid of spiders using bleach and water. 

Pest control companies recommend spraying this diluted bleach mixture directly onto the sac before you remove it with a vacuum or broom. Even though the bleach can damage the protective silk on the sac, spraying alone shouldn't be treated as a complete solution. The removal of the sac itself is still necessary, and the mixture won't do anything about spiders or additional egg sacs hiding elsewhere. If you have an infestation or want to double-check your work, you need to call the professionals, which is still the superior long-term solution.

For the bleach and water mixture, add equal parts of each in a spray bottle, then apply enough to saturate the entire sac and its surrounding silk. There's no set amount of sprays — just enough so the sac is wet, letting it sit for at least five minutes. While it might seem like overkill, wear gloves and eye protection and be careful where you're spraying the solution, as bleach can discolor certain materials. We know it might be tempting to pop the sac — don't. Breaking it open could not only scatter surviving eggs or spiderlings, but could bring your skin into contact with a concealed spider. Instead, vacuum up the sac and webbing and dispose of it outdoors.

To avoid welcoming more creepy crawlies, there are some simple ways to deter brown recluse spiders from settling into your home. The most important is to declutter storage areas, as spiders love to find dark places to nest. Vacuum frequently behind furniture, seal any openings, and move any stored firewood away from the house. Brown recluse bites in particular can cause a painful blister and even a slow-healing wound caused by tissue damage in extreme cases. If that freaks you out, definitely call the professionals — even if you end up destroying and removing the sac yourself.