The spider is an extremely complex creature that is often misunderstood. It is an excellent hunter, able to consume any insects around the house and control agricultural pests without harming the crop.
We have many kinds of spiders in our backyards and gardens. A few of them are poisonous to humans. However, for the most part, they don’t bother people and go about their business as usual.
There is still something creepy about spiders. They are everywhere, including our homes. Researchers at North Carolina State University found spiders in 100 percent of surveyed homes and nearly 80 percent of every room they surveyed.
You ignore them and hope for the best if you’re like me. It might take some doing to get rid of common house spiders, since they’ve lived indoors since the Roman Empire. I can’t bring myself to kill spiders; anything that eats mosquitoes is a friend of mine. However, most people don’t want them inside at all.
A good entomologist can help you to figure out why spiders enter your home, and what you can do to stop them from entering. We talked to one to find out why they do that, and what you can do to keep them out of your home.
What Is The Reason For Spiders Entering Homes?
There are many species of domestic house spiders that live indoors for their entire lives, says Michael Thome, an associate certified entomologist with Ehrlich Pest Control. Some spiders wander in from outside, but others spend their entire lives indoors.
The following are the primary reasons spiders inhabit your home:
- Food: In their diet, spiders consume flies, mosquitoes, ants, roaches, roach larvae, and other pests that are common in the home.
- Water: While some spiders prefer damp areas of your home like bathrooms and crawlspaces, all spiders require water to survive.
- Shelter: For spiders, dusty attic corners and stacks of boxes in your basement provide excellent shelter.
Usually, spiders appear in the fall, but Thome says that isn’t the time when they enter the house. Spiders hatch indoors in the spring, and in the fall, they are large enough to look for mates. That’s when we tend to see them inside, even if they have been there for a while.
Spiders: How Do They Get Inside Houses?
Two ways in which spiders gain entry are described by Thome. First, they walk in. And second, they hitchhike.
You can get spiders into your house in a number of ways, including:
- A foundation or masonry facade with gaps or cracks;
- Open windows and doors;
- A torn screen on a window or door;
- Vents, pipes, and ductwork openings;
- Items that have been outside but have been brought inside: clothing, firewood, toys, plants, camping gear;
- Commerce-shipped building materials and furniture.
Keeping Spiders Out Of Your Home – What Can You Do?
A strong defense is sometimes the best offense when it comes to pest control. Spiders are opportunistic predators, which means they will set up shop anywhere they can fulfill their basic needs.
The Following Issues Need To Be Addressed:
- Keep your foundation and masonry free of cracks and holes;
- Window and door screens that are torn or damaged should be replaced;
- Weatherstripping should be installed around windows and doors;
- Close windows and doors properly;
- You should reduce clutter and keep the interior of your home clean, including the attic, the basement, and the crawlspace;
- Flying insects like lights, and spiders like insects; turn off outside lights at night;
- Before bringing items inside, inspect them for spiders or webs, and sweep them off.
People and spiders usually live in harmony inside together most of the time. If spiders are becoming a nuisance, try these DIY solutions first. Spiders can often be discouraged with some key changes around the house. It might be time to hire a professional if you have a spider infestation.
Also Read: A Head-Shaping Pillow For Infants Can Cause Death, According To The FDA
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