How to Keep Spiders Out of Your House?

Before we even talk about spider control, it should be clear that most of the spiders that we see at home are very safe. Spiders that can stand human presence are very timid and only bite when intentionally offended. Thus, it should be clear from the very start to emphasize that the need for spider control is actually an exaggerated concept and majority of those who think that spider control is a must do not really look at spiders as pests, rather as a source of fear caused by their spider phobia. Another thing, spiders are helping humans in one way or another. In the settings of our homes, spiders are very effective in controlling flies and mosquitoes population, both of which are very harmful to human health because of the diseases that they carry with them. Moreover, many house spiders even repel poisonous spiders from ever entering a house; the Giant House Spider is a classic example.

Now, no matter how much emphasis is placed on the unnecessary of spider control, we cannot deny the fact that those who suffer from Arachnophobia (and there are so many of them) will have to live a pathetic life if they try to live with spiders under the safe roof. Thus, no matter how unneeded, spider control is still something that should be learned and taught because some people's lives are going to be much better if spiders are not around them. This article is for this select instance.

Where Would Spiders Lurk?

Out in the open environment, spiders prefer to live in meadows, in trees, in rocks and in other undisturbed places. House spiders and those outdoor spiders that happen to come across a house also prefer the same. Expect to see spiders in areas in your house that are dusty, dingy and dark. I prefer calling theses three characteristics as the three D's. Thus, if you want to really avoid spider infestation, might as well start cleaning your attic, cupboard and garage right now. Spiders can also find peace in dark corners and in other concealed areas in the house like underneath beds, floors, ceilings, furniture, closets and even old cartoon boxes.

In your yard or garden, spiders are most likely to be seen in vegetation, trees and dry grasses. They normally feed on the insects the also live in such places. The hunting spiders are usually the ones found outdoors while the web-making spiders usually stay indoors and wait for their prey to fall into their silk traps.

To keep spiders out of your house and away from your yard, you have to make these places unattractive to spiders. Since they like dust, then clean out the dust and mop the places where they are most likely to be seen.

Great Ideas

Stockpiling stuff makes it harder to control clutter at home. Spiders like clutter because it is really difficult to dust places where clutter has already started to accumulate. Clutter means having boxes and plastic containers piled in specific corners of your house, these things are very ideal for spider infestation. So, as a better idea, you can do either of the following:

1. Donate old stuff

It is usually the unused stuff that gets to be piled up. Old shoe boxes are popular spider favorites, so instead of simply piling them up, why not donate them to those who might need them. That way, you will be helping both yourself and the person whom you give your stuff to. You can also donate clothes which are stored in boxes or untouched closets. Spiders like to live in areas where disturbance is very minimal and if you continue to keep stuff which is not used, you are only risking yourself to the possibility of harboring spiders in your house.


2. Clean closets

We normally forget to clean out our closets thoroughly and in most cases, we only dust those areas which are readily seen by the naked eye. By cleaning closets, I mean to tell you that you should empty your closet of all its contents so that you can reach the corners inside. You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove all the dust and then wipe insides of your closet with cloth to give it the shiny look. If the closet used to be storage for toys, you can really assume that some of the toys (especially those with large holes on them) should have been infested by spiders inside too. To clear you doubt, spray the toys with water at high pressure. Make sure that you spray every part of the toys and then let them dry before you place them inside plastic bags before you put them back in the closet. That way, you will be avoiding further infestation inside these toys.

3. Do not miss the Garage and the Sheds

Of course, you need to clean these places as much as you cleaned the closets and the other parts of the house. You also need to apply the general rule of clutter control: do not keep unnecessary things. That means that empty bottles, tin cans and cartoons should be disposed the very moment that their contents are consumed. If you have any idea as to how to recycle those stuff, then do so, just don't let them linger in your Garage or shed since spiders will most likely view them as an open and indirect invitation. Use a vacuum cleaner/blower to clean every corner of your garage. Make sure the dust is completely done away with and that the place is properly lighted since spiders prefer dark areas.

As a general advice, focus on areas where very little activities happen. Since spiders prefer to be alone by themselves, it will be helpful if you make sure that you utilize every portion of your house, or at least, you get to "clean" those places which are not really intended for any activities like the attic, the ceiling and the cupboards. Do the cleaning at least twice in a month and surely, spiders will detest living in your house.