So you are getting ready to go to bed for the night. You set your alarm clock and just before you turn out the lights, you notice a large spider on the wall next to your bed. Depending on your sensitivity to the critter, you will capture and throw it outside or you will grab it will toilet paper and flush it down the toilet. Now that you have removed the unwanted guest, you remain unsettled and look at the other three walls of your bedroom as well as the ceiling before turning off the lights for the night.
I have had a few evenings like this as well as similar experiences when my kids scream out “spider” from the bathroom. Spiders have a special way of playing on people’s fears. They unnerve most of us given they are little vampires that suck the blood of just about every insect as well as finding time out to take a bite out of people when they sleep. There is an ongoing public debate not just on how to get rid of spiders, but whether they should even be exterminated since they keep other insects at bay.
I for one do not welcome this eight legged predator in my house. We have an older home that seems to draw these little pests in by the dozens. There are a number of different ways to keep spider populations under control. The important aspect of getting rid of spiders is to keep the process relatively safe and to avoid using toxic substances to get rid of what is basically more a fear than a true danger. If your house is being overrun by poisonous spiders such as the black widow or brown recluse, it will be in your best interest to call in a professional exterminator as bites from these sorts of arachnids can be very dangerous. The service will be pricey but may put your fears to rest.
Citrus and Other Effective Applications
Spiders for whatever reason have a natural dislike for citrus scents. There are several citrus products that you can use to keep the arachnids away from your home. Spray a little lemon scented pledge along baseboards and door entry ways and frames. You can also use citrus scented anti-bacterial sprays along the entry ways and around the perimeter of your house.
Eucalyptus also seems to be a smell that spiders absolutely hate. You can purchase a small bottle of eucalyptus oil and pour a tiny amount on cotton balls to apply to baseboards and entry ways.
Hedge balls and Hedge Apples
Cut up some thin pieces of hedge apples and place them around the entry way points to your home. This particular fruit seems to be a natural deterrent to spiders. Hedge balls or Orange Osage can be found in produce sections of your grocery store during late summer and early fall.
Sound
Another way to combat spiders in your home is through electronic sound waves. These little machines come in battery operated and electric plug in formats. I have personally used this device and do not really know how well it works based on using other measures including this one. The spiders were not as prevalent when first putting the device into practice, but I am not entirely sold on the validity of this gadget. I sort of purchased the gizmo to cover all sorts of pest that the manufacturer claimed to deter.
Keeping it Clean
Another key spider prevention measure is to keep all corners of the rooms and home free of clutter. Spiders love to hide inside things such as clothes sitting on the floor. They also like paper products so avoid keeping any kind of cardboard or excess paper products in rooms.
Besides cleaning and picking up all rooms in the home, also spend time inspecting the home for cracks and crevices on the exterior of your home that would allow such pests access to the inside. You may need to get a container of caulking or sealant to fill in the access points.
The most effective way to combat these little critters is to practice all of them at once. Hopefully these non toxic pest control measures will help you get rid of spiders once and for all.
