September is the start of spider nesting season, and due to the change in temperature, spiders invade your home in search of a cozy place to lay their eggs.
John Stewart from Pelsis UK’s technical team has shared his top five tips to help keep your home spider free.
1. Close entry points
The expert said: “Spiders often enter homes through openings under doors and windows. Preventing entry can be helped by ensuring window frames are properly sealed and door strips fitted to the bottom of doors.
“While it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to seal off every entry point for a spider, plugging key areas like gaps under doors will help keep the critters out of your living space. “
2. Use lemon-scented cleaners or DIY spray
The smell of citrus fruits “scares” these eight-legged pests, so cleaning furniture, skirting boards and windowsills with lemon-scented products is an easy way to keep them away.
You can also make a DIY spray with lemon juice and water and spray it around the house to get the same effects.
It is best to use this before spider season starts to prevent them from entering your home.
3. Keep it clean
While regular home cleaning isn’t a completely foolproof method of prevention, it can prevent spiders from nesting, especially if they remove their webs.
Regular vacuuming is also important because it not only removes spiders, but also any eggs they may have laid, helping to reduce their numbers.
Pay special attention to corners and under furniture, as that’s where pests are likely to hide.
4. Traps and vacuum cleaners
The professional explained: “Humane traps and vacuums are effective tools for controlling spiders. These methods allow you to catch and release spiders without harming (or touching) them.
“A spider vacuum is by far the most effective way to deal with spiders and allows you to easily trap them in almost any space. It also has a built-in LED light, perfect for spotting them in dark corners.”
5. Minimize the use of outdoor lighting
The pest expert continued: “Although spiders themselves are not attracted to light sources, many of the insects they feed on are attracted to outdoor lighting.”
Reducing outdoor lighting, especially at night, can help reduce the number of insects – and therefore spiders – in your home.
