There’s no questioning why spiders are one of the most feared pests. With their long legs and speed, the sighting of a single spider running across the floor of your home can send shivers down your spine. The truth is that although spiders look frightening, most are completely harmless and actually assist in keeping the nuisance insect population in check. Regardless, spotting one—or more—of these invaders in your home can be unsettling and may even indicate a larger problem. Their presence can become especially troublesome when they seem to be growing in numbers indoors.
To reduce the number of spiders that enter your home, it’s important to make your property less attractive to them in the first place. The spider control experts at Springer Professional Home Services are here to help with expert tips on keeping spiders out of your Iowa home for good.
How to Prevent Spiders in Iowa
Spiders are driven to come indoors for the same reasons as other pests: in pursuit of food, water, and shelter! To keep them out, then, requires denying them access and making your home less attractive to spiders in general. Our best spider prevention tips to achieve this are as follows:
- For spiders, the best way to prevent them is to eliminate potential nesting areas—even outside your home. Keep wood and debris piles away from your house, and make sure to burn them frequently to keep them free of nests. Use a broom to keep the exterior corners of your home free of cobwebs.
- Once you’ve eliminated potential spider habitats outside your house, make sure to also seal any cracks in your foundation or siding. Caulk is useful to fill in the tiny cracks spiders frequently get inside through.
- After taking care of the outside of your house, it’s time to move inside. Vacuum at least once a week, and be sure to hit spider hot spots like the corners of outside walls, the space behind furniture, and throughout your finished basement. Dust ceiling corners weekly, and try to keep clutter to a minimum.
- Spiders are attracted to the other pests and insects in your home that they prey on. Preventing those pests means keeping spiders away! Basic pest prevention tips include cleaning up food and spills that typically attract small insects like ants and beetles.
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Get Rid of Spiders in Your Home
If you’re dealing with an ongoing spider problem, you may wish to attempt DIY spider control methods. Consider using citrus, lavender, or peppermint essential oils when you clean. Spiders hate these scents, and they are easy to incorporate into your housekeeping regimen. You can also make your own natural spider repellent spray by mixing together 1 cup water, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon peppermint essential oil, 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap, and 1 lemon, juiced Spray the mixture along floorboards, window panes, in basement areas, and around the exterior of your home. Homemade repellents have to be applied frequently, so it’s best to add them to your weekly cleaning schedule.
If these all-natural spider repellents aren’t working, it’s likely a sign you have a bigger issue at hand. At that point, it’s best to enlist the expertise of a professional spider exterminator.
Keep Spiders Away With Springer Professional Home Services
If left unattended, spiders can progress in their lifecycle and begin laying egg sacs. A spider’s egg sac can contain hundreds of baby spiders, which, once hatched, will further perpetuate your infestation. A pest control professional will be able to perform a thorough inspection and analysis of your case. A professional is also recommended for handling more dangerous spider problems, such as black widows and brown recluse spiders.
No matter what spider problem you’re encountering in your Iowa home or business, Springer Professional Home Services can help. To get started, contact our team of spider control experts today!
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