While sharing your space with one spider isn’t always a bad thing, you don’t want your home overrun with them. Preventing a spider infestation is easier than having to control one. Check out a few tips to help keep your home free of spiders.
Eliminate Food Sources
Unlike other pests, spiders aren’t interested in your left behind crumbs. Instead, they feed on other pests. Keeping your home free of bugs will help to deter spiders. Store your food in tightly sealed containers. Cover your pet’s food and pick it up when they aren’t eating. Clean up crumbs and spills to avoid attracting pests like ants and flies.
Keep Your Home Clean
Spiders like to find dark and undisturbed places to hide. Remove clutter from your home and store items in plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes to make it harder for spiders and other pests to sneak inside. Dust and vacuum your home regularly to help remove spiders, eggs, and webs. Spiders are often found in basements, garages, closets, and attics, so don’t skip these areas.
Remove Trash
Flies are one pest spiders enjoy feeding on. Most fly species are attracted to trash and decaying food. Remove trash from your home and place it in a bin with a tightly fitting lid. If possible, don’t place bins right next to your home. You’ll also want to keep the cans as clean as possible. This will help to reduce flies, which will help to reduce the number of spiders you find.
Keep Your Yard Clean
Your yard can also provide spiders with hiding spots. Remove yard debris, like leaf litter and grass clippings, from your yard. If you have woodpiles or compost, keep them away from your home. Trim back plants and trees to avoid them touching the side of your house. This will make it harder for spiders to slip into your home.
Remove Spider Webs Around Your Home’s Exterior
Be diligent about removing spider webs around the exterior of your home. Use a broom, or better yet buy a cobweb brush/duster with an extension pole, to get to those hard-to-reach places. You can also use a garden hose to spray it down. Remember, spiders like to hang out where they will not be disturbed, and they will move if you continue to take down their webs.
Seal Entry Points
Spiders can only come inside if they find an opening. Examine your home for any cracks and gaps and seal any you find. Pay special attention to the foundation of your home, doors, and windows. The closer to the ground, the easier it will be for them to enter. Check window and door screens for tears and replace or repair them.
Plant Spider-Repelling Plants
There are some plant fragrances that spiders want to avoid. Adding these to your yard or in containers in your home can help repel spiders. Try planting peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, thyme, or lemongrass. These plants are known to help deter spider activity.
Create a Protective Barrier
Plant-based insecticides can be very effective at controlling spiders. Spraying around the foundation of your home with our Yard Bug Spray can help keep spiders away. Not only will it kill pests, the residual vapors will help to repel spiders too. You can also spray common entry points with our Home Bug Spray for indoor protection.
Use a Plant-Based Insecticide Dust
If spiders are crawling around the inside of your home, applying a plant-based insecticide dust can help. Our Spider & Insect Dust can be applied in places where spiders hide, including in cracks, crevices and void areas behind walls, cabinets and appliances. It kills spiders and will provide you with long-lasting protection. It’s also a more environmentally and family-friendly solution when used as directed.
Even though spiders love hiding in your home, you don’t have to let them. Implementing a few preventative measures can help keep your home free of spiders. If pests are giving you a fit, we have your back! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.