To ask how to get rid of cellar spiders?

[Stressedafff]

I think my home is infested.
For reference I have a HA flat with a wet room, very small and I suspect the wet room is causing damp. I have spoken to the HA about removing it but they are not budging.

My flat is absolutely infested with cellar spiders. They’re everywhere, in cupboards, in pans, in my bags and shoes it’s becoming a complete nightmare. I’ve hoovered up at least 20 since Sunday and I’m truly sick of them, they just come back every single time. My flat is clean, not cluttered and with minimal furniture, hoovered twice a day and deep cleaned twice a week. I’ve tried conkers, peppermint spray and NOTHING is getting rid of them. They’re even marking all my walls.

Does anyone know what causes them and how to get rid for good? I know they eat the big house spiders but I’d honestly rather see 2 of them a month than have these 24/7.

and another 🙄
Ive got a dehumidifier but the flat is so so damp it’s unreal. I’ve spoke to my HA and raised concerns about the wet room but no joy. These things are all over my house, they will be hoovered up. If I took the time to take them outside I’d be there all day there’s that many of them.
I know they eat house spiders, but I’d rather have the odd house spider than this constantly.

Keep them! They eat the big hairy spiders!

Edit: No. I’ve lived in a house that had constant hairy beasties. Currently live on a building site so the big spiders are often looking for new homes. Been here 2 years and just got my first cellar spider and I’m going to look after her (and her babies!)

Yes our house is full of them too. I hate spiders but can just about tolerate them if I know where they are and they don't move. If they get a bit too active DH has to catch them and put them out the window. I'd be freaking out about finding them in pans and bags!!

Does she want some foster children? I can post 😂

I’d gladly take them!

It took me a long time to learn to love them though.

Yes. Daddy long legs are insects, so 6 legs not 8, and they have wings.

I used to have this problem except with actual black, chunky spiders in a basement flat. It turned out they had just turned a basement into whatever closely resembled a flat but hadn't bothered to seal it! Environmental health ended up condemning the place. I would contact them in your area, they were very helpful. They'll also be very interested in the damp issue

We have them too, OP.

I do tolerate a few but when I see to many getting a tad comfy I scoop them up quickly (they’re bloody speedy buggers) and dispatch them outside. What I REALLY don’t like about them is their violent reaction if you touch their web! They vibrate really quickly in defence! Eek!

I actually don’t mind the bigger ‘cuddly’ spiders, felt a bit sorry for one that had been caught by a cellar spider, amazes me how that works, you would have thought the bigger beasties would kick ass but nope! Cellar spiders must be ninjas!

Don’t hoover them up though, if you can gently scoop and put them outside.

Oh and we don’t have a damp issue so unsure if that’s definitely the reason?

I don't think it's right to kill something just because you're afraid of it. I had a huge house spider drop down an inch from my face while reading my kindle in the pitch black at 1am. I just nudged him over behind the bed and left him to it.

This poem sums it up well.

I’m not afraid of them. It’s an infestation. I’m not having them in my cupboards, in my clothes, my bags etc.

I don’t think I could have slept knowing he was under the bed

I don’t have an infestation but have had loads more of these than usual this year. I had no idea that they ate the big hairy ones and I have noticed that I’ve only had one of these lately.

@BloodandGlitter I hate killing them, that's why I've tried to learn to take the big ones outside and let them go with those soft spindly catcher things.

But given I just shrieked, dropped my phone and my heart rate went up as I scrolled and the spider at the top of your poem pic appeared, and didn't know I'd done it till it had already happened, there is clearly an irrational fear somewhere in my psyche 😭

I have been trying hard all my life to not be scared but the big scuttly ones or any sudden appearances produce an immediate "I am going to die" panic response in me regardless of how ridiculous I know that is!