Customer LoginFake webs were great for Halloween, but real spider webs? Not so great. Avoid spiders with these tips:
Seal up your home. Patch up cracks and holes leading from the outside in to prevent spiders from finding their way indoors.
- Use caulk to fill in large gaps of space in closed doors and windows. Also apply caulk around wires, cables, faucets, and electrical components, since all of these must run to the outside.
- Replace or fix torn window screens. Spiders can easily find their way in through even the smallest holes.
- Cover your vents and chimney with fine mesh insect screens.
Keep your outdoor lights off. While outdoor lights will not attract spiders, they will attract other pests that can serve as appetizing food sources for spiders.
- On a similar note, block indoor lights from shining through your windows by using opaque blinds or shades.
- Consider switching to yellow sodium vapor lights. These are less appealing to insects and less likely to draw in a food source for your spiders.
Remove vegetation away from the perimeter of your house. If you have a serious spider problem, consider transplanting shrubs, trees, ivy, and other plants from the perimeter of your house to the opposite side of the yard.
- Vegetation attracts spiders because it serves as an ample hiding spot. When spiders need to seek out warmth or new food sources, they crawl from the vegetation toward your home, getting in through cracks.
- You should also remove mulch, stones, leaves, or other debris near your home.
Keep a tidy house. Clean homes give spiders fewer places to hide out in, making them less likely to stay even if they do slip inside.
- Do not leave leftover food lying around. Food crumbs will attract other pests like ants, which, in turn, will attract spiders.
- Regularly sweep and vacuum your floors. Wipe down your counters and tables, and avoid letting your dirty dishes sit out for more than a few hours.
- Pick up as much clutter as possible. Old newspapers and piles of dirty clothes make the ideal hiding place for spider species that thrive in darkness.
- Use plastic storage containers. Airtight plastic containers are difficult for spiders to crawl into, but cardboard boxes are fairly easy.
