Whoever said that arachnophobia-the fear of spiders-is not a common phobia among humans was certainly wrong. Getting those creepy-crawly jitters at the sight of even baby spiders is a very natural fear reaction. Of course the sight of something the size of a tarantula or black widow spider sends shivers and chills down the spines of all. Granted, spiders do play a useful role in the ecosystem by keeping the levels of all those dangerous bugs in check. But you want them to stay put in their places and not crawl all over the house! Here are some tips on how you can keep those little eight-legged critters away from your home:

• Destroy the natural habitats and hiding places for spiders. Take a broom and clear off any cobwebs you can spot around the walls. Spiders usually prefer dark corners so keep an eye on these. De-clutter your workshop and garage since spiders love to spin their webs where there’s clutter.

 

• Make your own home-made organic anti-spider solution. Just add a tablespoon of citronella oil or peppermint to a quart of water. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the solution anywhere you want to get rid of spiders. The solution kills spiders on contacts and also keeps them away.

 

• Spray some lemon-dusting polish on a wet cloth and use it to wipe down all the smooth surfaces in your home. Make sure to spray the smooth surfaces around windows and doorways where spiders love to enter. Spiders have their taste buds in their legs so they pucker up and leave in a hurry the moment they step on the lemon polish.

 

• Gather some chestnuts. Break the chestnuts open for them to be truly effective. No, this is not pseudoscience, but simply time-tested and effective bug control techniques. Place the chestnuts on window sills and outside walls. Spiders will give these places a wide berth.

 

• Seal off all cracks and crevices in the house.

 

• Make sure you regularly dust and wipe walls around the house. Spiders don’t like being constantly harassed and won’t stay around if they feel they are not needed.

 

• Glue paper traps are used mainly for catching little rodents such as mice. They are, however, pretty effective at catching spiders as well. These glue traps are extremely sticky so make sure you keep them out of the reach of your little kids and pets.

 

• Get a cat if you already don’t have one. Cats spring into action whenever they see spiders crawling about. Most cats just want to play and toss the spider about, although some cats do find spider meat a tasty treat! Either way the spider ends up dead. Dogs attack spiders too but are far less adept at jumping at the window sill.

 

• Use a vacuum cleaner. Attach the crevice cleaner to suck out web and other debris where spiders lurk.I had mentioned using citronella oil or peppermint as good home-spun anti-spider solutions. Here are some more effective solutions you can concoct at home:

 

1. A series of essential plant oils and plant extracts such as lemon oils. Lemon pledge is particularly effective. Apply these frequently.
2. Hedge apples are pretty effective too and don’t need frequent changing.
3. If you can stand moth balls, use them. Spiders hate them. The downside of these though is that most people just can’t stand them.

Sugarland Exterminating is a family-owned Pest Control Company that is fully dedicated to keeping homes pest and bugs-free. We have more than 40 years of pest control experience and offer services to residents of Acadiana. Sugarland Exterminating offers commercial pest inspection services, industrial pest inspection, termite control services and general pest control services. Call us today and let us take care of your pest problem.