Spider infestations can be a tricky thing to deal with. While most spiders are not harmful on their own–they actually help keep other pests at bay–the presence of spiders could indicate a larger pest problem.
Nevertheless, spiders can be quite annoying and there are several species of poisonous spiders in Pennsylvania. Spiders are known for being incredibly stealthy (they don’t make any noise, after all) and can hide in various cracks and crevices around the home due to their thin physique.
Capturing and getting rid of spiders is not necessarily difficult, but it sometimes requires professional pest control to get rid of other pests that may be attracting spiders.
To help you keep your arachnophobia at bay, here are nine spider prevention tips to keep spiders from invading your Northeastern Pennsylvania home this season.
What Attracts Spiders to Your Home?
Spiders are mostly drawn to two things: food and shelter. Spiders typically feast on other insects, including cockroaches, flies, ants, and beetles. Therefore, combating these pests will also keep their predators at bay.
Spiders prefer to hide in dark, secluded areas, which is why you may notice them in your basement, attic, and rarely-used cabinets. The most obvious sign of a spider infestation is a spider web.
9 Tips to Prevent Spiders from Entering Your Home
To avoid the meticulous process of squashing spiders and using dangerous insecticides, we’ve outlined nine tips to prevent spiders and keep them away from your home.
1. Keep Your Home Clean and Clutter-Free
Cleaning up clutter and keeping your home tidy is crucial for preventing pests of all kinds, including spiders. By giving these pests fewer places to hide, they will be less likely to want to hang around your home.
2. Seal Cracks and Gaps in Walls, Windows, and Doors
Spiders can gain access to your home through even the tiniest cracks and crevices, which is why you should use a caulk to seal these gaps. It can also be helpful to use weatherstripping on doors and windows to give your home extra protection from spiders and other pests.
3. Use Essential Oils Like Peppermint or Eucalyptus
Spiders are said to dislike the smell of certain essential oils, particularly peppermint and eucalyptus. These essential oils can be used in a variety of different ways to ward off spiders, from being added to a diffuser to adding a few drops to a spray bottle mixed with water and applying the solution throughout your home.
4. Reduce Outdoor Lighting
While spiders aren’t typically attracted to outdoor lighting, they often seek out other insects that are attracted to light. They are nocturnal bugs that typically hunt moths and other flying insects.
To combat this, try to reduce your outdoor lighting or use warm-colored LED lights, as these lights are less likely to attract spiders and other bugs.
5. Remove Webs Regularly
Removing any spider webs you see around your home can be helpful in reducing the number of spiders you see. When it comes to removing spider webs, make sure that there are no spiders currently on the web to avoid being bitten.
6. Use Vinegar or Citrus Sprays
Spiders are known to dislike the smell of citrus and vinegar, so adding these ingredients to a spray bottle mixed with water and applying them to places where you have seen spiders can help get rid of them.
7. Store Food Properly and Dispose of Garbage Promptly
Properly sealing and storing your food and beverages is essential when it comes to getting rid of all types of pests, including spiders. It is also imperative that you remove garbage from your home regularly and avoid letting your garbage cans overflow.
8. Keep Outdoor Areas Clear of Debris
Keeping the outside of your home tidy is just as important as keeping the inside clean when it comes to preventing spiders. Get in the habit of keeping your grass cut short and neat, trim your bushes, and remove any clutter or debris from your yard for the best chance of preventing spiders.
9. Use Spider Traps or Repellents
Store-bought spider traps and repellents can be used to ward off and kill spiders. Some homeowners may even prefer to take a DIY approach and make these traps and repellents themselves.
However, it is important to keep in mind that when it comes to dealing with an infestation of any kind, contacting a pest control professional is your best bet for making sure these pests are gone for good.
When to Call an Exterminator
When dealing with an infestation of any kind, it is always in your best interest to contact an exterminator right away. A professional exterminator will be able to inspect your house to determine what kind of pest you’re dealing with and recommend ways to get rid of them once and for all.
FAQs
Are there certain foods or scents that spiders dislike?
Spiders have been known to dislike certain smells, including citrus, peppermint, lavender, and cinnamon. They are also said to dislike the scent of chestnut and vinegar, as well as diatomaceous earth, which can be used to repel and kill these pests.
What can I do to reduce spider activity outside my house?
There are several things you can do to reduce the number of spiders outside of your house, including reducing clutter, sealing cracks and crevices with caulk, using spider deterrents, and using essential oils that spiders are known to dislike the scent of.
Are there any specific plants that naturally repel spiders?
Spiders are known to dislike the smell of lavender, mint, basil, and eucalyptus, so growing these plants in your garden or even keeping pots of them inside the house can help deter spiders.