As we covered a couple of weeks ago, spiders are undoubtedly one of the more frightening pests many New York homeowners call us about. Whether it is their eight legs, the abundance of eyes some species like the jumping spider have, or their erratic movements, many people agree that spiders are not welcome inside their homes. Luckily, with a regular pest control plan in place, along with some easy DIY tips for preventing spiders, you, too, can have a spider-free home.
The Types of Spiders You May See in Your Home
To recap, in our recent post, “The 5 Most Common Spiders in New York Homes,” these are some of the spiders you’re most likely to see inside your house:
- Common House Spiders (also known as American House Spiders)
- Wolf Spiders
- Sac Spiders
- Jumping Spiders
- Daddy Long Legs (not true spiders according to scientists)
Despite their differences in appearance and behavior, these species generally share a few common characteristics. For example, attics, basements, crawl spaces, garages, and sheds are common areas where you might find these spiders. Also, as with most spiders in the world, these five species feed on insects, which is important to keep in mind; if there are spiders in your home, it’s likely because there are other pests present! If you’re dealing with a spider infestation, it’s extremely likely there are a lot of other household pests present.
What Keeps Spiders Away?
The most effective method of spider control is a regular pest control service from Knockout Pest Control. As mentioned, spiders feed on a variety of insects such as other spiders, ants, wasps, and roaches; if you have an effective, preventative service in place that is already knocking out insects from your home, you are providing less temptation for spiders to enter in search of prey.
Here are a few more methods of spider prevention that will help you prevent any unwanted jump scares (as a bonus, these tips will help prevent many other common household pests, too!):
• Vacuum regularly and thoroughly to ensure you have picked up any dust, spider webs, insects, eggs, egg sacs, or visibly present spiders.
• Reduce the amount of outdoor lighting you use, or replace it with more dim, yellow light. While spiders are not drawn to light, some pests they will eat are, so reducing light can reduce those outdoor pests in general.
• Keep your grass cut short and your landscaping pruned. This will also reduce the general insect population around your home, which will in turn reduce spiders.
• As a rule, across the pest control board, identify and seal any entry points to your home which could be granting pests like spiders, ants, roaches, and more into your home. You will want to check your window stripping, seal any cracks, holes, or gaps, repair town window screens, place screens over your vents, and break out the tube of caulk where needed.
• Regularly declutter the inside of your home to reduce pest hiding spots.
• Minimize moisture, as some spider species, as well as many other pests, are attracted to damp and/or humid areas.
How to Get Rid of Spiders
Because spiders primarily feed on other pests, getting rid of spiders starts with eliminating other household pests. As mentioned, the most effective approach to spider control starts with a regular pest control package from Knockout Pest Control. Our team is trained in identifying and knocking out not only spiders, but all of the common household pests spiders feed on, too. We will even help you identify any vulnerabilities in your home that could be setting you up for pests.
To schedule an estimate for spider control in New York, call 1-800-244-PEST.
