Spiders are by far the most disliked of all insects. A spider crawling in your home could make you want to set the whole house on fire and just move somewhere else. And due to the fact that spiders breed in large quantities, where there is one spider there are often many more nearby. This could pose an even greater problem since spiders are not entirely risk-free and some spider’s bites can even pose a health risk. With that in mind, lets look at how you can win your home back from this invasive pest…
How You Get Spiders
Spiders are dependent on their food sources just like other animals. They seek places that have a greater supply of bugs and other insects for food. Extreme temperatures outdoors can also force spiders to migrate into your home. They love to make their homes in corners and cracks. They also use hidden places to lay their eggs which can start a whole new colony of spiders in your home.
Spiders usually enter the home through small cracks beneath the doors or on the wall. Sometimes, they can enter the house through a box or item that you pick up from the outside. To check if you have a spider infestation, look for spider webs in the basement, walls, and other hidden places. If you find them, you may have an issue that needs to be resolved.
10 Ways to Naturally Get Rid of Spiders
1. Using Vinegar
If you want to avoid harmful chemicals in your home, vinegar is a natural ingredient that spiders are harmed by and, therefore, they avoid. For this, you’ll need water and white vinegar mixed in equal parts in a spray bottle. Spray directly on the webs of the spiders or in places where you see one. Spray any cracks or crevices as well. Repeat this regularly until the spiders disappear. Beware that spraying vinegar around your house will make it smell like…vinegar. If that’s a problem for you, check out a few of the following other options.
2. Essential Oils
Essential oils are extremely potent and powerful extractions from plants that spiders don’t like. What’s great about using essential oils is that they smell good so its kind of nice to have it around the house as well. Use a spray bottle to mix 14 ounces of water with 5 to 10 drops of the essential oil and spray it around the house. Essential oils to use include: peppermint, tea tree, lavender, neem, or any of the citrus essential oils. You can also put a few drops on cotton balls and stash them under the sink, in corners and in other spider habitats.
3. Vacuum
Vacuuming the critters is another option for those that want to quickly remove spiders from home. It is important to use a vacuum that sucks the content directly into the bag. After vacuuming, dispose of the vacuum bag so the spiders inside do not crawl back out. To decrease the chances of them crawling out while vacuuming, vacuum up small quantities of talcum powder before and after you get the spider. Using a bag that has a HEPA filter is even more preferable when vacuuming spiders as well as the remains of their webs and eggs around your home.
4. Sweeping
It is important to regularly clean and sweep surfaces of hidden places where spiders may try to live. Concentrate especially on surfaces that are good for spiders to live in like corners, cracks, and underneath furniture.
5. Garlic
Garlic is a plant containing compounds that burn spiders and repel them with its pungent smell. You can create a garlic spray by mixing two cups of water with 4-6 garlic cloves. Blend it until it is smooth. Let it sit for 24 hours, strain out solids, and put into a spray bottle. Add a few cups of water to fill the bottle and spray in the corners of your home as well as behind and below furniture.
6. Spider Glue Traps
Glue traps for spiders and other critters can be purchased at your local hardware store. They’re most effective when placed in the way of spider traveling paths. When the spiders walk over them, the glue traps them in place so you can easily dispose of the trap later.
To be most effective, place the traps in corners, behind large furniture, or anywhere else that you’ve seen signs of spiders.
7. Patch Up Crevices and Holes
The best way to keep spiders out for good is to seal up your home. Fill in any large gaps around windows and doors. If the window screens are torn, make sure you replace those with new ones. Cover any vents and holes with a fine mesh that will keep insects out. If you need to, attach a door sweep to the gaps below the door to ensure they can’t crawl in there.
8. Clean Bushes
The bushes close to your home often make great homes for spiders. Plants attract insects which makes it attractive for spiders to set up shop there. When the bushes are close to your house, its then a short distance for them to enter.
Make sure to sprinkle spider insecticides around your bushes, trim the shrubbery so its gapped from your wall, and spray the plants with garlic spray or another spider repellent to deter them.
9. Replace Outdoor Lights
The lights that you keep on at night are attractive to bugs and spiders love bugs. When you have the porch light with bugs swarming, spiders quickly set up shop to capture those bugs. It’s a good idea to use yellow lights or sodium vapor lights instead of bright lights. And if you can, you may even get rid of lights close to your doors entirely.
10. Turn to a Professional
If you don’t want to handle this on your own, you can turn to professionals to exterminate and make sure the spiders stay out. We offer special treatments for spiders and know how to get rid of them for good. We have the bug sprays you can’t get at your local store, trained staff, and we’re thorough.
How to Get Rid of Baby Spiders
Where there are baby spiders, there are also adult spiders. Sometimes it is tough to find their nests, but when you do, it is important to get rid of spider nests before they hatch. Contacting a pro that knows how to get rid of spiders it the best strategy for baby spiders. If they’re laying eggs, they’ve set up a home at your house. And, chances are this isn’t the first batch of babies they’ve laid.
Summary
You don’t have to live with the discomfort of having spiders inside your home. You can always take steps to get rid of them naturally and if that doesn’t work, call us.
As you probably know, the best way to completely get rid of spiders is to turn to professional services. Besides the special insecticides we have access to, we also know what to look for, which areas must be treated, and we have the equipment to do it right. If you live in Bensalem, Philadelphia or any of the surrounding areas, give us a call for a free quote.