With eight legs and a tendency to really scare people, spiders are quite a nuisance. If you find one or two in your home, you can always just catch them and take them outside — problem solved. But what if you're not just seeing one or two spiders, but lots of them? Then it helps to know what kinds of things spiders like, so you can get rid of those things and make your home a less appealing home for these eight-legged critters. So what do spiders like? Take a look.

1. Moisture

Just like the many insects that may invade your home, spiders are drawn in by moisture. They really love both standing water and humidity. If you have puddles in your basement from a leak, then you can bet you'll start seeing spiders before long. If you live in a humid area and have not been running your dehumidifier, that will also attract spiders. If you can make your home a really dry place, the spiders will find somewhere else to go since they won't be able to live. Run that dehumidifier, have leaks fixed, and wipe the water out of the sink and tub when you're done using them. 

2. Darkness

There's a reason you most often see spiders in the basement or attic, and it's not because the spiders are trying to hide from you, exactly. It's because these areas are dark, and spiders like the darkness. If you have a spider problem, leave the lights on in your basement or attic for a few weeks. Yes, your electric bill will go up a little, but this is an affordable way to drive the pesky critters out. Also, move boxes and other items away from the walls so there are fewer dark hiding places.

3. Other Bugs

If you're not aware, spiders mostly feed on insects. And they're not picky! They'll eat a carpenter ant for breakfast and a cockroach for lunch. Whatever gets caught in their web is fair game. You might not see a lot of bugs around your home if you also have spiders, but that's only because the spiders are eating them. Have a spider control company come spray insecticides or put down a few baits, and you should see fewer spiders.

Spiders like darkness, moisture, and a steady diet of bugs. If you can make sure your home does not provide these things, you'll start seeing fewer spiders.