Spiders often invade your home, seeking shelter, warmth, and, of course, food. If you happen to spot an eight-legged pest wandering around your living spaces, this may be an indication of a cluster of spiders hiding out somewhere nearby.
While spiders benefit the ecosystem by leveling out invertebrate herbivore density, they’re infamous for startling unsuspecting homeowners once they invade a warm and food-plentiful environment. The following tips will help keep you spiders outside and away from your arachnophobic loved ones. When DIY methods won’t do the trick, recruit a professional pest control provider like this.
Prevent entry
As a first step, seal up entry points so spiders can’t infiltrate your living spaces. This strategy of blocking common entryways yields better results than other competing pest control strategies and is relatively affordable.
Caulk is a great tool to use to seal up entry points throughout the property. Seal all small holes or gaps that you find with caulk, whether they exist around the windows, plumbing holes, cracks in the wall, or other small, open crevices that give spiders a means of entry.
Make repairs
Hole-ridden window screens give spiders yet another option for a possible entry point. To prevent infestations, repair/replace the existing window screen, so spiders can’t gain access to your living spaces.
Don’t forget that spiders can easily crawl through chimneys and vents. With this in mind, install insect screens over these areas. As an additional precaution, look under the door and inspect these small spaces for any concealed gaps. While it’s not exactly a covert strategy, spiders don’t mind coming through the front door, but a simple draft guard will eliminate these opportunities for entry.
Professional spider treatment services
Professional spider extermination is the sure-proof method of eradicating this pest from your property. Exterminators offer several treatment options suitable for every pest control need and infestation size. Note that both lethal and non-lethal traps and options are available to homeowners.
Before ruling out professional pest control services, research affordable pest control providers in your area. Don’t assume you can’t afford professional treatment before you investigate average price points. Generally speaking, routine pest control is relatively inexpensive. If you’re serious about spider extermination, get the pros on the job.
Landscape the property
Make landscaping a top priority and improve your home’s curb appeal while simultaneously minimizing your risk of spider infestation. Spiders enjoy hiding in plants, shrubs, and trees where they can remain unnoticed for more extended periods.
Keep these shrubs neatly trimmed to prevent these eight-legged pests from setting up camp in your front yard. Additionally, never plant trees or shrubbery too close to the house. Maintain three feet or more distance from the home, as this thoughtful placement will prevent future spider/pest infestations and potential damage to the home’s foundation.
Clean the House
While spiders will occasionally wander inside clean homes, this household pest prefers cluttered living spaces with their choice of hiding spots. You should also vacuum the floors at least once per week or more often if you spot spiders, eggs, or webs in your home. To ensure a spider-free home, clean your tables, countertops, range tops, etc. after each use, as even small crumbs may attract spiders. Lastly, be sure to remove spider webs after your initial sighting.
In summary
Unlike other household pests, spiders usually don’t have malicious intent and don’t mean to scare anyone or cause any trouble. Although, with their ominous appearance, jump scares are bound to happen when you find these household pests lurking in your home’s dark corners.
Because this pest species can bite (and potentially kill) human victims, even non-venomous spiders will scare humans based on this fact alone. However, you shouldn’t allow a spider problem to cause stress or worry in your home with these five pest-fighting tips in your artillery.
