
Have you ever walked into a dimly lit room, reached for the light switch, and come face-to-face with an eight-legged invader clinging to the wall? If so, you’re not alone.
In fact, according to studies, spiders are some of the most common pests that cause homeowners to call pest control. While they might be beneficial in controlling other insect populations, most of us would prefer they do their work elsewhere. While house spiders aren’t as dangerous as other species, like black widows, they’re still unpleasant.
What attracts spiders to your home in the first place? In general, it comes down to food and shelter. They thrive in environments where other insects, their primary food source, are present. These arachnids prefer dark, undisturbed areas, such as basements, attics, and closets.
Spiders are more common in homes during the autumn and winter months when temperatures drop, and they seek warmer places.
But that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get rid of house spiders – for good.
Simple DIY Tricks to Banish Spiders
Now that you know what attracts spiders, let’s explore some easy DIY methods to remove them. These are cost-effective and can be implemented using items you likely already have at home.
1. Clean and Declutter
One of the simplest ways to deter spiders is to keep your home clean and clutter-free. Spiders love to hide in piles of clothes, stacks of books, and other clutter.
Take the time to regularly vacuum and dust your home, paying extra attention to corners and under furniture. Vacuuming not only removes webs but also spider eggs, preventing future infestations.
2. Essential Oils and Natural Repellents
There are certain scents that are known to repel spiders. Essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus can be particularly effective. Mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and spritz along window sills, doorways, and corners. The strong aroma acts as a natural deterrent.
Similarly, placing cedar blocks or satchels of dried lavender around your home can help keep spiders away.
3. Sealing Entry Points
Spiders often enter homes through small cracks and openings, so do your best to seal things up tight.
Inspect your home’s exterior and seal any gaps around windows, doors, and foundations. Use caulk for small holes and weather stripping for doors and windows. By limiting entry points, you make it harder for spiders to find their way inside.
4. Sticky Traps
If basic cleaning and natural repellents aren’t doing the trick, it might be time to employ more advanced tactics.
Sticky traps are an effective way to capture spiders and monitor your home’s infestation level. Place these traps in corners, basements, and other areas where you’ve noticed spider activity. Check them regularly and replace them as needed.
While traps won’t completely solve the problem, they can help you identify hotspots that require further attention.
5. Lighting Adjustments
Spiders are drawn to areas with abundant insect activity. Outdoor lighting can attract insects, which in turn attract spiders.
Consider replacing bright white outdoor lights with yellow or sodium vapor bulbs, which are less attractive to insects. Keep indoor lights off near windows to reduce the number of insects and, consequently, spiders indoors.
6. Regular Yard Maintenance
Spiders often make their way indoors from the surrounding areas. To minimize their presence, keep your yard well-maintained.
Trim the bushes and trees away from your home, and remove debris like leaves and wood piles where spiders might hide. A tidy yard creates fewer opportunities for spiders to establish a base near your home.
When DIY Isn’t Enough, Call in the Pros
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, spiders continue to invade your space. In cases like this, you need to call in the big guns.
Professional pest control companies can provide a more comprehensive solution to your spider problems. The trained technicians at Orange Pest Control will be able to assess your situation and develop a more targeted treatment plan. We also can use industrial-grade products that are more effective than consumer-grade options and offer ongoing maintenance plans to make sure your home remains spider-free.
When you hire a professional pest control service, you can expect a thorough inspection of your home. Our technicians will identify problem areas and recommend treatments such as sprays, baits, and traps to address the issue.
Preventing Future Spider Infestations
Once you’ve successfully dealt with your spider problem, you need to take steps to prevent future infestations.
Conduct regular inspections of your home to identify any new signs of spider activity. Keep up with cleaning and decluttering efforts. Schedule routine pest control visits if necessary. By staying vigilant, you can catch potential issues early on.
Also, remember that nature has its way of keeping spider populations in check. Encourage natural predators like birds and lizards by providing a welcoming environment. Install birdhouses and feeders to attract insect-eating birds.
Ultimately, the key to success lies in understanding the habits of spiders, maintaining cleanliness, and being proactive in your prevention efforts.
Are you ready to take control of your spider situation? Contact Orange Pest Control in Brevard County, FL, for expert advice and services tailored to your needs. We’ll tell you how to get rid of house spiders, but we’ll go one step further and make sure they never come back.
With our help, you can turn your home into a fortress against unwanted arachnid invasions.