Whether a spider is itsy bitsy or the size of a dinner plate, you don’t want them in your home! So how do you keep Charlotte from spinning a web in unwelcome spaces?
Squishing one spider won’t solve the problem if you have an infestation on your hands. And when you’re facing certain species, like brown recluse spiders, it can be dangerous to get too close. It’s better to practice spider prevention and keep the eight-legged hunters from entering your home in the first place.
What Attracts Spiders?
Spiders enter a home for all manner of reasons. You may notice them more often when temperatures drop as they search for a warm place to call home, but they’re less likely to stick around if they can’t find food and proper shelter.
Cluttered Corners
If your home has a lot of clutter — like piles of boxes, dirty laundry on the floor, and so on — this creates plenty of hiding spots for spiders to build their homes. Brown recluses in particular love dark, dank corners where they can hunker down and find shelter.
Other Pests
Another big draw for spiders to visit your home? Food — more specifically, other insects they can hunt and feast on. Food sources like ants, mosquitoes, and many pantry pests can turn your home into a buffet for hungry spiders. While this has the benefit of cutting down on one infestation, it can lead to another as spiders move in on their prey.
Spider Prevention: Four Techniques for a Spider-Free Home
Navigating spider prevention doesn’t have to be complicated! Like any pest problem, it’s best to trust the experts. Call us at first sight — we do it right!
But if you don’t have any pests right now, there are a few things you can do to make your home less hospitable and more difficult for spiders to enter. Here are four key prevention techniques that can help to keep the arachnids at bay all year round:
1. Tidy Indoor Spaces
A clean home is a pest-free home, and that includes reducing clutter! Here’s a breakdown of a few ways to tidy that will help reduce spider presence:
- Store books on shelves instead of piled on the floor.
- Keep dirty clothes in hampers and clean clothes in dressers and closets.
- Vacuum and sweep floors often.
- Wipe down countertops and wash dishes immediately after use, and ensure all food is stored in well-sealed, air-tight containers or in your refrigerator.
- Store extra items in sealed plastic containers.
Practicing these cleanliness habits, as well as regularly decluttering extra stuff in your home, will make it less likely that spiders can find a comfortable corner to hide.
2. Tidy Outdoor Spaces
Keeping a clean yard is just as important for spider prevention as keeping a clean home! Even if your home is spotless, an overgrown and messy outdoor space may attract spiders and other pests, making it more likely they will explore inside as well. Here’s what to do to keep your yard spider-free:
- Mow your lawn regularly.
- Trim shrubs, bushes, and trees, with at least six inches of space between them and the sides of your home.
- Remove debris like piles of leaves, messy and exposed wood piles, and other yard clutter.
- Clean up after pets to avoid attracting flies and other insects.
- Use lights that don’t attract pests or even help repel them, like LED bulbs that don’t emit ultraviolet light and heat.
3. Seal Entry Points
Cleaning everything up should significantly reduce the chances of spiders encroaching on your territory, but for those determined few, seal up any entry points that may let them into your home. Here are some common entry points and how to seal them:
- Windows and Doors: Replace weather stripping for a solid seal and replace torn screens with the right size that won’t have any gaps.
- Siding and Utility Entry Points: Caulk any cracks or gaps, and use expanding foam to fill spaces around utilities.
- Roof: Replace missing or broken shingles.
- Foundation: Caulk any visible cracks or get professional help addressing more significant issues.
4. Manage Other Infestations
The first three tips will help with this as well, but taking extra steps to prevent insects from invading your home is one of the most important things you can do for spider prevention! Because spiders feed on other insects, eliminating those pests first goes a long way in spider prevention. Spiders won’t stay too long if they can’t find anything to eat, so cutting out their food sources will help keep them out of your home.
Pest Control IS Spider Control!
Many common pest infestations can lead to spider infestations, luring them with the appeal of a plentiful food supply. If you’ve noticed increased spider activity in your home, it may indicate another pest infestation beneath the surface. If you are concerned about pests making your home their own, contact Advantage Termite and Pest Control to keep your household safe and pest-free. Call us at first sight – we do it right!
