As spring rolls around, the days get longer, the weather gets nicer, and we all start to prepare ourselves for the coming summer. While we are getting some spring cleaning done and digging out our shorts and tank tops, we are not the only ones preparing for the summer season. This is the time of year when spiders start looking for a place to make a home and lay their eggs. Spiders can lay anywhere between 100 and 2,500 eggs at a time. You don’t want to allow your home to become home to hundreds or even thousands of baby spiders!
Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to prevent spiders from making their home in your house. It’s important to remove or clean up places where they can hide and reduce the amount of ways that they can get into your home. Continue reading to learn more, and if you need spider prevention or control, contact the Sacramento pest control experts at Earthwise Pest Management.
DIY Spider Repelling Methods
Discovering the simplicity and effectiveness of DIY spider control can be a game-changer for many homeowners. Here are some ways you can keep spiders out of your home:
Declutter and Clean
Spring is a time when we all declutter and deep clean our homes, and this is highly recommended if you want to prevent spiders from making your home their home. When you clean and remove clutter, you reduce the number of places where spiders can hide and make a home. Maintaining cleanliness by vacuuming regularly to remove spider webs and potential spider egg sacs can significantly reduce the likelihood of a spider infestation. In fact, keeping a clean, clutter-free home is a good general rule to prevent pests of almost any kind.
Seal Cracks
In order for spiders to enter your home, they have to have a way in. Sealing any cracks or crevices around the outside of your home makes it more difficult for spiders to find their way in. Without an entry point, it is much less likely that you’ll find spiders inside your home.
Seal Around Windows and Doors
Often, there are small openings and cracks around windows and doors. Most spiders are not very large and can fit through even small openings that may not be immediately obvious. Check around all of your windows and doors to ensure there are no openings big enough for a spider to fit through.
Check for Holes in Window Screens
Spring is a wonderful time to open the windows and let a soft breeze in. However, if you have any holes in your window screens, you may be letting spiders in, too. Check all of your window screens to make sure that they are intact. You’ll also want to make sure that they aren’t bent; otherwise, the screen may not sit flush, and spiders can sneak in through the small gaps in the sides.
Move Firewood Away From Your Home
Spiders love to make a home in piles of firewood and other clutter around the outside of your house. To prevent spiders and other pests, it’s always a good rule to move any stacks of firewood at least a few feet away from your house, so if spiders do make their home in your firewood pile, they stay outside where they belong.
Spray Peppermint Oil
One of the most accessible and popular methods involves using a spray bottle filled with water and peppermint essential oil. Spiders detest the smell of peppermint, making this an excellent natural spider repellent. Spraying this mixture around windows, doors, and other entry points can help repel spiders before they ever get a chance to enter your home.
Understanding What Attracts Spiders to Your Home
Spiders typically enter homes in search of food and shelter. Common attractions include cluttered areas where they can hide, such as stacks of storage boxes or piles of clothing. Spider species like the hobo spiders and garden spiders are also drawn to areas with a high insect population—your home becomes a prime target if it has a lot of insects for them to feed on. Moreover, outdoor lighting can attract insects, which, in turn, attracts spiders. Reducing clutter, sealing cracks and crevices, and managing outdoor lighting can make your home less inviting to spiders.
When to Call in the Pros
While DIY methods can be effective for minor spider concerns, certain situations call for professional intervention. If you’re experiencing a severe spider infestation, encountering dangerous spiders, or finding multiple spider webs and egg sacs throughout your home, it’s time to call in the pros. Spider exterminators have the knowledge and tools necessary to safely and effectively deal with these issues, ensuring the safety of your home and family from potential spider bites and other risks associated with spider infestations.
How We Deal with Spider Problems
At Earthwise Pest Management, we pride ourselves on using earth-friendly methods to handle spider problems. Our team of experts is well-versed in identifying different spider species, from harmless garden spiders to potentially dangerous hobo spiders. We employ a variety of strategies, including the use of natural spider repellents, strategic placement of spider traps, and targeted removal of spider webs and egg sacs. Our approach is always tailored to the specific needs of your home, ensuring that we address your spider issue without harming the environment or non-target species. Trust us to provide professional, effective, and eco-conscious solutions to your spider concerns.
Call Earthwise for Spider Control in Sacramento, CA, and the Surrounding Areas
If you want to prevent spiders from entering your home this spring or have already noticed a few crawling around, Earthwise Pest Management can help. We have extensive experience in pest control for everything from spiders and ants to cockroaches and rodents. No matter your pest problem, we can handle it. If you need pest control in Sacramento or any of the surrounding areas, contact Earthwise Pest Management today.