Home Owner’s Guide to Spider Prevention in Kentucky

When the cold gives way to the warmer, sunnier days of spring, plants blooming and grass growing are not the only things making a return. Our eight-legged friends, which cause shivers and heart palpitations, are also becoming more active, often seeking shelter and food inside our living spaces.

At Four Seasons Pest Solutions, we believe prevention is the best cure. We want to offer you our top tips for keeping spiders away this season:

Exclusion

Spiders don’t need an RSVP to show up in your house and ruin your vibe. They are rude and come in uninvited, but you can increase your home’s “Pest Security” and make it as difficult as possible to get in! Choose a warm and sunny afternoon to walk around your home’s exterior and:

*   Look for cracks and small crevices: Seal gaps around windows, doors, and your foundation with caulk.

*   Look for screens that may be damaged: Ensure window and door screens are free from holes and tears.

* Check your door sweeps: A simple and cheap fix is to install a sweep on exterior doors, which can quickly and effectively eliminate an entry point.

Food Source Elimination

Spiders live where there’s food. Their primary diet consists of other insects like flies, mosquitoes, ants, and many others. By radically reducing other pests, you make your home far less appealing.

*  Consider your outdoor lighting: Insects are attracted to light. Switch to yellow sodium vapor bulbs or direct your security lights away from entry points.

*   Make sure you do not have any standing water: This is a breeding ground for many insects, including mosquitoes, that spiders love to eat.

* Don’t neglect to keep the kitchen tidy: Don’t leave food out, and store pantry and grocery items in airtight containers.

Eliminating the food source of spiders won’t completely eliminate spiders, but it will go a long way in aiding their prevention.

Declutter and Sanitation

Many spiders love dark, undisturbed areas and are masters at hiding. Reducing clutter eliminates their favorite real estate:

*   Organize storage areas: Keep garages, basements, and attics neat! Store items in plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes to eliminate spiders getting inside them.

*   Do not keep a woodpile near the home: Keep firewood, mulch, and debris stored away from your home’s foundation.

*   Trim the shrubs and landscape: Cut back bushes, vines, and tree branches that touch your house.

Spiders need a place to either build their web, a place to hide, or a place to hunt in order to catch prey. Eliminating clutter and practicing good sanitation in and around your home is critical in reducing their numbers.