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How to Keep Spiders Out of Your Home as Temperatures Drop
As the temperatures start to cool in Taylor, AZ, and fall sets in, spiders become more active in their search for warmth and shelter. Your home offers the perfect environment for these creepy crawlers to thrive. While most spiders are harmless, they can still be unwelcome guests. At Neff Exterminating, we understand the discomfort that comes with a spider infestation, and we’re here to help you keep your home spider-free. Here’s how to keep spiders out of your home as temperatures drop.
Why Spiders Seek Shelter in Your Home
When the weather cools, spiders, like many other pests, start looking for warmer places to shelter. Your home offers ideal conditions: warmth, plenty of places to hide, and sometimes a food source in the form of insects. Although most spiders aren’t harmful, seeing them around the house can be unsettling, and some species, like the black widow or brown recluse, can pose risks to your health.
Common Spiders Found in Taylor, AZ
- House Spiders: These are the most common indoor spiders and are generally harmless. They spin webs in corners and ceilings.
- Black Widows: Known for their shiny black body and red hourglass marking, black widows are venomous and can be dangerous if disturbed.
- Brown Recluses: These spiders have a violin-shaped mark on their back and can deliver a bite that requires medical attention.
- Wolf Spiders: Large and fast, wolf spiders don’t build webs but roam around the house hunting for insects.
Knowing which spiders are likely to enter your home can help you better prepare for keeping them out.
How to Keep Spiders Out of Your Home
Preventing spiders from getting into your home requires a combination of sealing entry points, maintaining cleanliness, and reducing their food sources. Here are some effective strategies to help keep spiders at bay as the weather cools down.
1. Seal Cracks and Entry Points
Spiders often enter homes through small cracks, gaps, and openings around windows, doors, and foundations. Sealing these entry points is one of the most effective ways to keep spiders from getting inside.
Steps to Seal Entry Points:
- Inspect your home’s exterior for cracks or gaps, especially around windows, doors, and the foundation. Use caulk to seal any small openings.
- Install weatherstripping around windows and doors to close any gaps that could allow spiders inside.
- Use door sweeps on all exterior doors to prevent spiders from crawling under.
- Repair damaged window screens to prevent spiders from entering through open windows.
- Check vents and utility openings and cover them with fine mesh to keep spiders out.
By sealing these entry points, you create a strong barrier against spiders and other pests.
2. Keep Your Home Clean and Clutter-Free
Spiders are attracted to places where they can find shelter and food, and a cluttered home provides plenty of hiding spots. Keeping your home clean and organized can make it less inviting for spiders.
Cleaning Tips:
- Vacuum regularly, especially in corners, under furniture, and along baseboards where spiders tend to build webs.
- Dust and clean regularly, especially in dark, undisturbed areas like basements, attics, and closets.
- Remove spider webs as soon as you see them to discourage spiders from staying.
- Declutter storage areas like basements, attics, and garages to eliminate potential hiding spots.
A clean, clutter-free home is less appealing to spiders and other pests looking for shelter.
3. Control Insects
Spiders feed on other insects, so if you have an insect problem, you’re more likely to have spiders as well. Controlling the insect population in your home can help reduce the food supply for spiders, making your home less appealing to them.
How to Control Insects:
- Turn off outdoor lights at night or switch to yellow bulbs, which attract fewer insects.
- Seal food properly in airtight containers to avoid attracting flies and other insects.
- Keep your kitchen clean by wiping down countertops and promptly cleaning up spills and crumbs.
- Use screens on windows and doors to keep insects from entering your home.
- Address moisture issues, as insects are attracted to damp areas. Fix any leaky pipes and ensure proper ventilation in bathrooms and basements.
By reducing the insect population in your home, you’ll also reduce the number of spiders that come looking for food.
4. Maintain Your Yard
Your yard can be a breeding ground for spiders and other pests. By keeping your yard well-maintained, you can reduce the likelihood of spiders finding their way into your home.
Yard Maintenance Tips:
- Trim back trees and shrubs that are close to your home, as spiders can use them to access your roof or windows.
- Remove piles of leaves, wood, or debris that can provide shelter for spiders.
- Store firewood away from your home and off the ground to prevent spiders from nesting in it.
- Keep outdoor lights to a minimum to reduce the number of insects (and therefore spiders) attracted to your home.
Maintaining a clean and well-kept yard can help prevent spiders from finding shelter close to your home and migrating indoors.
5. Use Natural Spider Repellents
There are several natural remedies that can help repel spiders from your home. These non-toxic solutions are safe for pets and children and can be easily applied to problem areas.
Natural Spider Repellents:
- Essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, and lavender are known to repel spiders. Mix a few drops of oil with water and spray it around entry points and problem areas.
- Vinegar is another natural repellent. A mixture of vinegar and water can be sprayed in corners, windowsills, and other areas where spiders may enter.
- Citrus peels or citrus-scented cleaners can also help repel spiders, as they dislike the smell.
Using these natural solutions can help keep spiders out of your home without the use of harmful chemicals.
6. Schedule a Professional Pest Inspection
If you’re still seeing spiders despite your best efforts, it may be time to call in a professional. A pest control expert can help identify the source of the problem and provide customized treatments to keep your home spider-free.
Benefits of a Professional Inspection:
- Early detection of spider infestations allows for quicker and more effective treatment.
- Customized pest control solutions based on the specific needs of your home.
- Peace of mind knowing your home is protected from spiders and other pests.
Schedule a professional pest inspection with Neff Exterminating today to ensure your home stays spider-free as temperatures drop. Contact us here to get started.
Taylor, AZ Pest Control
As the weather cools in Taylor, AZ, spiders may seek shelter inside your home. By sealing entry points, keeping your home clean, controlling insects, and maintaining your yard, you can reduce the likelihood of a spider infestation. Additionally, using natural repellents and scheduling a professional inspection can provide added protection against these creepy crawlers.
Don’t wait for spiders to take over your home this fall. Contact Neff Exterminating today to request a service and keep your home spider-free. Click here to get started.
For more information on our services or to schedule an inspection, visit our website or call us at (928) 536-6862. Let us help you enjoy a spider-free home as the temperatures drop!
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