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How to Keep Spiders Out of Your House: Do DIY Measures Work?

Nick Siebert • Mar 01, 2024

Wondering about the efficacy of DIY pest control for spiders? 

It may come as a surprise that there are over 3,500 different species of spiders in America. With this many 8-legged arachnids running around, you’re probably wondering how to keep spiders out of your house as warm weather approaches.


There are countless reasons to want spiders out of your home, and several DIY tricks you can use. But do these DIY tricks work? 


Some home pest control methods might deter spiders, but they’ll find a way indoors, especially if other insects aka their food source are inside your house. This is why you need to examine common DIY pest control tactics and why they do and don’t work. 


How to Keep Spiders Out of the Garage: Use Citrus Scents


Knowing how to keep spiders out starts with your garage, and common DIY blogs claim that citrus scents keep these pests away. While they may deter them, consider the following: citrus trees are home to countless species of spiders. So if they nest in citrus trees, using this essential oil to repel them is counterproductive. 


The goal is to prevent all types of pests from entering your home via a wide array of entry points. Although these methods might not help an existing infestation, they can work to prevent one. Always seal cracks and gaps around your home, including window screens. Keep garbage cans covered to deter spiders as well as other pests, such as raccoons. 


Keep food covered and kitchen counters clean. Vacuum regularly. Always check your children, yourself, and your pets for ticks before coming in the house (and consider keeping Fido off the furniture and bed). 


Although spiders don’t necessarily hunt ticks, they’ll eat one if it’s available, so limit access to a spider’s food source. And since ticks carry Lyme disease along with a host of other dangerous pathogens, it’s always best to protect your family from them. 


How to Keep Spiders Out of the Basement: Clean Your Basement


Although there’s nothing wrong with
tidying up your house, don’t let this lull you into a false sense of security with arachnids. Spiders like basements because they’re typically dark and quiet and, although keeping this part of your home clutter-free can work to reduce the incidence of spiders, it won’t prevent them altogether. 


If you have an abundance of spiders in your home, you may have a larger issue worth investigating, such as moisture. 


How to Keep Spiders Out of the Bed: Sticky Tape


It’s important to know
how to keep spiders out of your home, your bed being a primary place to avoid these arachnids. One great way of keeping spiders out of your bed is with sticky tape. It’s common to place it on the base of your bed’s legs, preventing spiders from crawling up and snuggling with you. 


It’s also common practice to keep your bed away from curtains and end tables, preventing spiders from entering your bed. 


However, this alone won’t prevent spiders, as they can crawl on ceilings and drop into your bed. Instead, it’s good to avoid eating in bed and if you suspect you have a spider infestation, to contact a
professional pest control technician in Sparta, NJ


How to Keep Spiders Out of Your House: Myth vs Fact


Now that you know how to keep spiders out of your house naturally, you might be unimpressed with the results. This doesn’t mean there’s zero room for DIY pest control; you should always take precautionary measures to keep pests out. It’s just important to recognize the limitations of these home pest control methods and to understand that they might not always work. 


If you need pest control in Sussex County, NJ, or Warwick, NY, Serene Property Services can help. We offer a variety of humane pest and wildlife removal services, so
contact us today for an estimate. 


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