Many people are afraid of spiders, and even those brave ones who are not are usually not glad to share their homes with these insects. Unfortunately, a spider infestation is a very common problem that affects many house owners, while it may be a little less frequent in the apartment buildings. Calling an exterminator is one way to solve this problem, but it is important to know that there are other, much cheaper ways to expel the unwanted guests from the home.
Spider prevention
Spiders would probably rather live outdoors, but if the circumstances are not favorable to them, for example during winter or rainy seasons, they enter the homes searching for places they could nest, feed, and breed. That is why it is important to prevent their entering the house.
One of the thing spiders love is wood and wood products, which includes cardboard. Almost every home has a storage room filled with cardboard boxes and these need to be removed. The same goes for all the clutter inside and outside the house, especially in the attic. The best way to store things is in sealed plastic boxes and tubes, which in addition keep away the dirt and the moisture.
Spiders climb in quite easily through holes and cracks, even the small ones, on the exterior walls. Those need to be sealed after a thorough inspection. In some houses there are cracks at the doors, or the doors do not fit well into the door jam, and need to be adjusted.
While having a lot of vegetation in the garden or in the backyard is always a nice thing, it needs to be said that shrubs, bushes and trees are the natural habitat of the spiders, which they sometimes use to get inside the houses. This especially goes for climbing ivy, which is the home of many other insects on which the spiders feed.
Spiders also seek water, so they can be found quite often in the bathroom or in the kitchen, especially near the pipes and drains.
All the cobwebs already present in the house need to be swept away, and after this the spider will probably move on.
Do-It-Yourself techniques against spiders
The best way to get rid of a spider without killing it is to vacuum it. The other way is the old car and paper catch-and-release technique. These of course apply only if the spiders are not too fast.
Sprinkling some baking soda on the floor, especially in the corners and along the boards is an efficient spider-repelling method. The alternative can be some soapy water sprinkled around the house or borax, but water with soap is better if there are children or pets in the house, because unlike borax it is not harmful.
Some cotton balls soaked in lemon oil, eucalyptus oil or ribbing alcohol should be places in strategic places around the house as they are sure to repel spiders.
All these methods are meant for mild infestations, but for more serious ones, especially if the spiders are of a dangerous or poisonous species, it is highly advised to call a professional exterminator.
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