Do you find yourself constantly walking through spider webs while in your home? Do you find an eight-legged arachnid in the tub ever morning even though you swear you washed one down the day before? Many people don’t mind sharing their homes with spiders, but if you find yourself overcome with them, you may want to take action to lessen their numbers.
First, let’s look at how to keep them from coming into your home. Most spiders can fit through an opening that is 1/16” mm tall, so the trick is to eliminate the tiniest of holes.
To keep them from squeezing their way inside:
- Install a door sweep under all the doors that open to the outside, as well as your garage door.
- Seal the outside edges of your doors, using caulk. Seal foam weather stripping to any sliding glass doors.
- Close off all utility openings, eliminate gaps, cracks, and holes with foam, caulk, or steel wool.
- Fill in window areas with caulk.
- Fix all holes, rips, and tears in any window or door screens. A garden or hardware store will have screen repair kits you can purchase for not much money.
- Use wire mesh to cover your roof, attic, and any crawl spaces.
- Keep wood piles, flower pots, and debris far from your home.
- Spiders like to build their webs in and around trees, shrubs, and any other foliage that grows near your windows and doors.
- Don’t leave shoes, gloves, or other such gardening equipment outside. These are perfect places for spiders to hide.
With all repairs made, try applying an insecticide to exterior areas of your home. Be careful when using the spray, but you’ll want to spray in around the entire perimeter of your home’s foundation.
Inside your home:
Chances are, you have a spider or two in your home. If you’re looking to eliminate them, you can try some of the options below. If you have a lot of spiders, you may want to seek help from a professional.
- Spiders hate peppermint oil. Fill a spray bottle with water and a few drops of peppermint oil. Spray the mix around your home, paying attention to entrance points like windows and doors.
- Keep your home free of clutter. Don’t let mail stack up. Don’t keep clothes on the floor. These are all perfect spider hiding places.
- Spiders also dislike the smell of cinnamon. Burn cinnamon candles, and sprinkle cinnamon around doors and windows. You can also try keeping a satchel of cinnamon and other strong spices where spiders are found.
Call a professional
When all else fails, call a professional. A pest control company will not only help you get rid of spiders, but also prevent you from getting future infestations.
