Get Rid of Spiders

Spiders are Everywhere

Spider season is in full swing. Right now, you probably notice many more spiders in or around our homes. A great deal of the spiders we are seeing now are males looking for a mate. Unfortunately for them, the females are usually hidden from the young spiders.

Most spiders are tendered to their environment. This means spiders usually stay in the environment they are in. There are only a few species that will actually migrate into our homes during the fall and winter seasons. DIY: Get rid of spiders with our featured monthly tip. This is a (Green) non-pesticide application you can create and perform yourself. Perform these easy tasks outlined below to limit spiders in and around our homes.

• Spiders Inside the Home

Make the inside of your home an unattractive place for spiders. What do spiders want? To feast on insects. So, one way to get rid of spiders is to eliminate other insects within your home.  Start by cleaning your walls and baseboards with distilled vinegar (if your walls are painted or decorated, be sure to first test this on a small portion of the wall before cleaning the home to ensure it does not affect the integrity of the paint).

Perform this cleanse once a month if you notice many spiders. By cleaning with distilled vinegar, spiders and insects will not want to be around. Next, remove all cob and spider webs inside your home. Once a week, dust and sweep ceilings gently. Pay close attention to corners and dark areas of the home, and be sure to dust them, also. This also includes persistent floor vacuuming within the home.

• Light & Spider Exclusion

Another simple and effective technique to exclude spiders involves natural sunlight. Since spiders avoid light, be sure to keep the blinds and drapes open during the daytime. This will make rooms in your home a less attractive place for spiders to harbor. When preparing for bed, be sure to keep comforters, sheets, and blankets from resting on the floor. This will eliminate spiders with one pathway for them to climb.

Another exclusion tip to perform is a quick window and door check. Survey your windows and doors to ensure there are no gaps or holes which will allow spiders to wander inside. If a gap in an exterior door is found, correct it as soon as possible. Some common problems include adjusting the door placement and replacing the weather stripping.

• Spiders Outside the Home

To limit spiders outside our home, knock out these few tasks. First, remove all spider webs around the property. This could be done with a small broom, duster, or vacuum. Be sure to walk the perimeter of your home once a week to keep them from coming back. By being consistent with web removal, you will see the benefits. Next, trim all shrubbery and plants away from the home. When cutting the lawn, avoid grass clippings from building up on the lawn. Then, remove all clutter from the backyard, including unused furniture, toys, kiddie pools, and firewood. By removing the clutter, we are removing key hiding areas which spiders desire.

Next, limit outdoor lighting around the home during the evening hours. Outdoor lighting will attract many different insects to your home. If you leave your outdoor lighting on nightly, spiders will be stationed there as well. Spiders are not attracted to lights. However, they will migrate toward the other insects. This is why we see so many webs around outdoor light fixtures.

Are Spiders Preying On Us?

Most spider bites in the home area are caused by us. These situations occur when we roll over a spider when we are asleep, putting on clothing or shoes which contain a spider trapped inside. Furthermore, spiders are not hunting us in our homes but rather attack when a situation triggers them to do so. Spiders are not hunting us in our homes, as some believe.

Are Spider Bites Dangerous?

Most spiders will bite. However, only a few are considered dangerous. Black Widow and Brown Recluse spiders are two well-known spiders that carry dangerous venom.

Black Widow live and flourish in warm climate states (usually outdoors). A Black Widow bite is recognizable by the two puncture marks it will leave. The pain of a bite is severe compared to the pain received by a needle. They are black spiders with a red or yellowish triangle marking on the underside. Their venom is toxic and affects our central nervous system. The victim must seek medical attention right away after a bite occurs.

Brown Recluse spiders live in the midwestern, southern, and western states. A Recluse has a description ranging from yellowish to dark brown. These spiders usually populate indoors around basements, bedrooms, bathrooms, and heating & air conditioning ductwork. The initial pain associated with the bite is compared to a wasp or bee sting. However, the pain will intensify for several hours following the bite. A few days after the bite, a noticeable sore will form. Once the area heals, an uneven scar will form in the area. It is a good idea to notify your family physician should a bite occur.

Fact or Fiction

There are many urban legends that suggest that we swallow 5 to 1000 (lol) spiders a year when we are sleeping. However, these stories have no scientific backing to make them valid.

How To Get Rid Of  Spiders Featured Tip:

If you are seeing plenty of spiders in your home, try this trick to get rid of them.

Spider Repellent (16 Spray bottle recipe)

1. Get an empty 16 oz spray bottle
2. 15 drops of peppermint essential oil ($10 on Amazon)
3. A dash of any liquid dish soap
4. Fill the remainder of the spray bottle with water
5. Shake the bottle & apply

This doesn't aim to kill spiders, but it will make them STAY AWAY. Begin spraying anywhere you are seeing spiders. The most effective places for spraying will be baseboards, around windows and doors (thresholds), around the perimeter inside of the garage, and bed posts. Be sure to first test it out in a small area to ensure it does not stain any valuables inside your home. Peppermint oil is not a pesticide and is a great tool to utilize to get rid of spiders.

Best regards,

Dave McCracken
A.N.T. Pest Control

For more information, please check out the University of Kentucky's Entomology Department about spiders.

A.N.T. Pest Control is a licensed, certified, and insured company. We serve New Lenox, Manhattan, Joliet, Frankfort, Mokena, Tinley Park, Orland Park, and the surrounding suburbs.