It isn’t cruel to want to rid yourself of the spiders in your attic. While some folks don’t mind sharing space with bugs, the fact is that they aren’t great for your health or for your home.
Spiders, specifically, are known for their nasty bites and unsightly cobwebs (unless you live in a haunted house on Halloween!). While most spider bites are harmless, some spiders that find their way into your home can even be poisonous and deadly to household pets, children or those who are immunocompromised.
There are a number of ways that you can prevent and control spiders all on your own, often with natural remedies. Read on and we’ll help you discover the best way to take back your home from any offending eight legged creatures.
Clean Regularly
Spider webs are often an indicator or an untidy or abandoned home both in movies and in real life. There are many factors that would result in an infestation, so having spiders in your attic isn’t always due to lack of cleanliness. However, one of the easiest ways that all homeowners can keep their house clear of unwanted arachnids is by keeping tidy and clean.
Spiders are hunters who feast on insects, so they’ll be drawn to places where creepy crawlies roam. Spilled drinks, unswept crumbs and unwashed dishes are likely to attract the kind of insects that spiders love to eat. While you may find evidence of spiders in your basement, it’s likely that they are roaming all throughout your house in search of their next meal.
Here are some essential cleaning tips to ensure that spiders are unwelcome in your home:
- Sweep and vacuum:
Look for cobwebs on from the top to bottom of your home. Sweep ceilings and corners and ensure that food is regularly swept up and disposed of. - Cut the clutter:
If there’s clutter in your attic, then it’s likely that there are spiders in your attic too! Spiders love dark, quiet spaces, and overstuffed homes make an excellent place for arachnids to hide. Make attic cleaning a top priority, and your home will have less places for spiders to set up shop!
Seal Off Points of Entry
If they can’t get in, they can’t build a home! One of the main ways that spiders get in your attic is through unseen cracks and holes that form over time.
Whether through past pest infestations or the natural deterioration that occurs from exposure to the elements, chances are that your home has a few open spaces where critters can get in.
Check out these tips to make sure your home is buttoned up against insects and spiders in your basement, attic and main living spaces.
- Check for cracks:
Where light shines in, spiders can get in. Check around window sills, doorways and the external fascia of our home for gaps and cracks. - Seal up the gaps:
Use caulk or weather stripping to close up any holes or openings in the walls or foundation of your home. - Set up Sticky Traps:
Got a spot outside that simply can’t be repaired? Set up sticky traps to stop spiders in their tracks. Be sure to check them and replace them often.
Use Natural Spider Repellants
Natural repellants may seem old fashioned compared to modern pest control equipment, but folks have been battling household critters for a long, long time. If you don’t like the idea of using harsh chemicals in your home to keep those eight legged creatures at bay, try out these natural repellents.
And hey, if they don’t keep out all of the spiders in your attic, it won’t do any harm to try, and may even end up making your house feel and smell fresher!
- Citrus:
Spiders have been shown to avoid citrus scents. Use orange oil or lemon oil around the baseboards of your house, or as a cleaning agent in your kitchen. Even keeping a bowl of citrus on your kitchen counter or dining room table can help to keep spiders at bay! - Vinegar:
While this corrosive natural chemical will definitely keep critters out, vinegar doesn’t smell quite as nice. Vinegar contains acetic acid which is harmless to humans, but a deterrent for arachnids. - Peppermint Oil:
Spiders avoid strong scents, and peppermint oil surely fits the bill. Other insects also like to avoid peppermint oil, so consider giving this refreshing aroma a try! - Cedar Chips:
Spiders and other critters keep their distance from cedar. Sprinkle cedar chips inside or around the exterior of your home and make a barrier they won’t want to cross.
Eliminate Outdoor Spider Attractants
You may be surprised to find that unchecked issues outside of your home are inviting spiders in. One of the best ways to keep from having spiders in your attic is to make sure they don’t want to check out your house in the first place.
Spiders are expected to be outdoors, and so it may seem difficult to keep them away from the outside of your home. However, there are easy ways you can deter them from being attracted to your house from the outside in.
- Extinguish exterior lights:
Lights attract bugs, and bugs attract spiders. If you must have an outdoor light on for safety, detach it from your home or have it set far away from any points of entry. - Seasonal refresh:
If you live in an area with all four seasons, be sure to prepare your home for each season. While spiders may not be a big deal in the winter, by summer you may discover nests that need to be swept from the exterior of your home. - Check your pipes:
Leaky pipes are another unexpected way to attract spiders and other critters. Eliminate any external water sources that might be creating a watering hole for eight legged creatures.
Call a Professional
When all else fails, it might be time to call the pros. At the end of the day, if you’ve done everything in your power to prevent bugs from getting in and you’re still finding evidence of spiders in your attic , an exterminator may be the final course of action.
Find Pest and Environmental Services Pest Control Lead-Mold-Radon Recovery Services Water Softening top-rated, pre-screened local contractors FREE: download contractor selection enter zip code – powered by HomeAdvisor ™
Image credit: strategies for spider control by envato.com
end of post … please share it!
| more photo remodeling |
Jump Over to Our Photo Analysis Center for Ideas on
"Renovating Home"
|__________________________________________________________|
home remodeling surprise
find out where it might go - new win
Helpful article? Leave us a quick comment below.
And please share this article within your social networks.
