Many people suffer from arachnophobia, the fear of spiders. While not all spider species in the home are dangerous, some people just find them creepy to encounter, and they can be bothersome, especially when they're many. A little-known fact is that spiders actually help with insect control in the home, and so Daddy Long Legs (the spider species with extremely long legs) can be a good ally to have in the home if flies and mosquitoes are a bother. Still, if you can't stand the little critters, this article provides some facts to always bear in mind to keep spiders under control.
1. Spiders love darkness and cracks
There are different spider species, but the most common ones lurk in damp, dark environments with little chance of disturbance. You'll commonly see webs in basements, sheds, wood piles and ceilings of poorly-lit rooms. Remember though, that not all spiders make webs; some prefer dryer places like closets, under beds and attics. Cracks and crevices make excellent homes for the species which don't make webs. For effective control, ensure that you focus on all these areas in your home.
2. Effective control must be preventive and includes breeding control
You won't get rid of your spider problem my simply killing or spraying the ones that you see. If you see one, probably there are egg sacs lurking in some dark corner, waiting to grow into tiny spiders to continue disturbing your peace. When you hire professionals, targeting egg sacs is part of the job and so you won't have to worry about this.
If you're doing it yourself, however, start by giving the house a thorough going-over with your vacuum and be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag so that any eggs can hatch outside the home. Next, you can use spider traps, which are non-chemical and hence safe for home use, especially if you have children or pets.
There are at-home ingredients you can mix to make spider repellent or killing sprays (discussed below). When using these, don't target places with webs alone. Be sure to spray your basement, ceilings, closets, under beds, attics and any other nooks and crannies in the home. Keep them out by sealing off any cracks/holes in furniture or on walls – filler and caulk are good for this, respectively. Door and window screens can keep out those that enter the home this way. In addition, move wood or leaf piles away from the house, as spiders commonly live in these.
3. You don't have to use chemical pesticides
The role of many homemade remedies is to create an environment that repels spiders without being dangerous for your home's occupants. Particular scents can be enough to keep them out, and are often pleasant to humans which makes them perfect. They include:
Essential oils - Eucalyptus, peppermint or lavender oils mixed with water should be sprayed at spider entry points. You can also place eucalyptus leaves under furniture or in closets
White vinegar – equal parts water and white vinegar should be sprayed in spider-infested parts of the home
Baking soda – sprinkle some baking soda around window sills, doors and in the nooks and crannies
Lemon – use the rind to wipe around window frames and other entry points; the pungent smell should keep them away
8 February 2018
Every year as soon as summer hits, the bugs come calling. We have a sandy soil and have a recurring issue with ants getting into every piece of food or moist area in the house. Sometimes they even chew through the packaging to get to our food! It drives me crazy. After trying every home remedy and insecticide in the shop, we decided it was time to call in the big guns and got some exterminators in. It was a really good move because we are finally rid of those pests. This blog is all about the best ways to get rid of ants.