Most house spiders are not dangerous. Even so, the thought of these eight-legged creatures crawling around the house gives most people the shudders. We can understand why, considering that being bit by the wrong spider can lead to long-term damage or even death. You have a right to enjoy your home, so you should never feel forced to live among house spiders. Luckily, there are many things you can do to control spider populations in the home. Here are six effective ways to give spiders the boot.
1. Make Direct Contact With Spiders: Spiders are able to keep their bellies high off the ground because of their long legs, so chemical sprays are often ineffective. Also, spiders don’t use their mouths to groom themselves as ants and roaches do, so chemicals can’t be transferred this way. Instead, it’s best to have direct contact with a spider, such as by squashing them with a shoe or spraying them directly on the body.
2. Spray Pesticides On Surface Cracks: If there is a crack that spiders come in and out of, you can spray this. Because the space is smaller, the chemicals are likely to touch the spider’s body and cause them to die.
3. Control Food Sources In The Home: Even though spiders won’t munch on human food, they do eat other pests who might be eating your scraps. Reduce food sources around the home by wiping up crumbs, washing counters and keeping food sealed. This will keep other insects out of your home, and in turn, spiders too.
4. Follow Other Good Pest Prevention Tactics: Insects and bugs enter homes through cracks and crevices, tears in the screens, etc. Take some time to follow other good pest prevention strategies, such as sealing up gaps, fixing broken screens and repairing leaks. All of this will make your home less desirable to pests and limit food sources for spiders.
5. Set Glue Traps In Dark Areas: If there are areas in the home that are especially prone to spiders, such as your basement, you can use glue traps. If a spider sees another bug stuck in a trap, they might go after it and get stuck themselves. Place glue traps in dark, quiet areas, such as by baseboards and near beds.
6. Vacuum Your Home Regularly: Keep your home clean by vacuuming it regularly. Don’t forget to use the hose on hard-to-reach areas like baseboards, window frames and door frames. The vacuum will suck up spider webs, egg sacs and living spiders. Most spiders will die immediately because their bodies can’t handle the trauma.
These are some of the best ways to control spiders around the house. If you feel that your efforts aren’t effective, contact Heritage Pest Control for a professional treatment.