How do you keep giant house spiders out of your house?

Question

I live in Seattle, and therefore have had to deal with huge, hairy, repulsive spiders, darting around my basement bedroom at an unbelievable pace.

I know that many of you must have seen these monstrosities in your houses as well, especially if you live in the Pacific Northwest.

I've done some research and found that the majority of these guys are,

Tegenaria domestica - Domestic or Common House Spider

or...

Tegenaria gigantea - Giant House Spider

rather than...

Tegenaria agrestis - Hobo Spider

(the significantly more dangerous of the three)

I have also read that the house spider variety kills the hobos, and should therefore be left alone to decrease the chance of being bitten by the more agressive and dangerous spider.

But here is the thing, I don't give a **** if two thirds of these things kill the other more dangerous third or not!! It doesn't make them any less horrifying. I just want these disgusting, saucer sized spiders out of my god d**n house so i can sleep at night!!

So please, if any of you have any information on how to prevent these guys from getting inside, or how to eliminate the ones who are already inside, it will be greatly appreciated.

I encounter these guys on a daily basis, and do not think I will ever get used to them. I am a huge animal/incect lover, and don't mind smaller spiders, but these guys are just to much, I mean one of these things could probably chase me down if it wanted to!!

Answer 1

This isn't so much an answer, but I also have this issue and live in the Olympia, Washington area. Just today I had to remove a DVD sized spider from my home, someone please share your insights.