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Australia is well known for its crazy weather and it’s unusually large spiders and snakes. Spider species such as funnel-webs, common black house spiders, and redbacks are a common occurrence in gardens and homes.
The thought of giant spiders crawling around in your home or office may be enough to enlist in the home pest control services on offer in all major cities in Australia. While many people may not mind the occasional “good” spider too much, many locals prefer to err on the side of caution and keep all spiders out.
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Simple Ways to Keep the Crawlies Out
Do you have a spider phobia or an allergy, or you simply don’t buy into the whole spiders keep bad pests at bay theory? If so, then spider maintenance is more than likely on your list of things to do.
Your pest control expert may have a few preventative measures that you can invest in. But did you know there are a few more natural ways that you can keep spiders from invading your home? Here’s a list of some of the more common tips to try.
- Remove Webs When You See Them
If your home or garden seems to be a spider magnet, then your first step should be to remove the webs when you see them. Continuously breaking down a web will let your spider get the hint that you don’t want them there. Spiders are less likely to reproduce if their web is consistently being removed.
Use the soft nozzle attachment of your vacuum cleaner to remove webs inside the house. A wet cloth or boom head will also do the trick. Ensure that the spider isn’t in the web, otherwise it may jump toward you to defend its web.
- Seal the Gaps Where They’re Getting in
Spiders, by nature, prefer to live outside. However, when given the chance they will come into your home to hide from the rain and predators. They will typically come in through any gaps in walls, roof openings, or even door or window spaces.
Routinely check your home for gaps and cracks that should be sealed up. This will go a long way toward keeping spiders and other insects from coming in.
- Use Scented Candles and Essential Oils
Spiders have been known to shy away from strong scents. This is why many Australian homes are filled with scented candles and essential oils. According to the experts, spiders especially hate the following scents:
- Peppermint
- Citrus
- Eucalyptus
- Cinnamon
Bun candles in these scents or mix water and an essential oil in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture on window and door frames or areas where you usually see spiders or their webs.
- Switch Lights Off When Not in Use
Another tip that homeowners swear by to reduce the amount of spiders in their homes is to turn lights off when you’re not in a room. Having the lights on will attract other insects.
Since spiders are continuously looking for food, they will smell or sense the insects that have gone into your space after the light. The spiders are then very likely to move into that space because they have encountered their food source there. Keeping lights off in unused rooms reduces the likelihood of spiders moving in.
- Keep a Clean Home
Spiders love the shelter and dust created by piles of clutter or even stacked-up laundry. Make sure that dusting and vacuuming are a regular part of your cleaning routine. You can also create your own cleaning solutions by mixing essential oils with water or vinegar. Use the scents we’ve already listed to help deter spiders.
- Shake Everything Out Before Bringing it Indoors
If you regularly put your shoes outside to air out, or you still hang washing in the line, it’s important to point out that spiders can hitch a ride indoors on these items. Be sure to shake items out before bringing them back indoors. This includes picnic blankets, baskets and towels.
- Invest in an Insecticide
If all else fails, it may be time to invest in an insecticide. Speak to a licensed pest controller for a solution that’s safe for you and your pets and also the environment. Having them apply the solution will give you peace of mind that it has been done correctly and safely.
- Plant Eucalyptus and Mint
You can also plant eucalyptus or mint plants around your garden and on windowsills. Since spiders don’t like the scent of either, they will avoid the area altogether. Keep in mind that mint is invasive and quickly overrun your whole garden.
Our experts recommend always planting it in pots of different sizes. You can then place these around your home, garden and walkways to deter spiders from coming in at all.
Final Thoughts
No matter what your feelings are about spiders, you might prefer to keep the bigger and more dangerous species out of your home and away from your kids. Use our tips to keep your home as spider-free as possible.