Do you know the nursery rhyme about the old woman who swallowed a fly? And she swallowed a spider to eat the fly? If you have flies in your home, you may be inviting spiders in to eat them. In order to help you protect your home from spiders and their prey, we’ve put together a helpful guide for spider prevention in Hartford.
Hartford Spiders In Your Home
There are hundreds of species of spiders in Hartford. Most don’t come inside and prefer to be outside where they can find more food. However, if spiders believe they can find more food inside your home than out, they’ll come right in.
Although all spiders have fangs and venom, and their eight legs make them a frightening pest, most spiders aren’t dangerous to humans.
Only two species in the US, the black widow and brown recluse, have venom that is dangerous to humans. However, that isn’t to say that other spiders aren’t still a nuisance pest. Here’s how to stop them.
Spider Food
To stop spiders from getting inside, you need to stop spider food. Other pests will enter your home in search of food and spiders will follow them in for a snack. Here are some helpful tips to keep spiders and their prey out:
- Store food in glass or thick plastic containers. Most pests come into homes looking for food. You can stop many of them by making sure pantry items are inaccessible and can't be chewed through.
- Put away pet food. Dog or cat food and even birdseed can attract pests. Never leave pet food sitting out overnight.
- Keep your trash covered. Garbage is a huge pest attractor, so make sure to clean the area around your garbage and keep the lid on, especially for any organic trash.
- Clean the kitchen at night. Many pests are nocturnal and will venture into the kitchen while you’re asleep to look for crumbs. By wiping down counters, cleaning under appliances, and washing dirty dishes, you’ll be making it harder for them to find any food.
- Address moisture issues. Pests, including spiders, love moisture. By using dehumidifiers and making sure your home is well-ventilated, you will make your home less attractive to most pests.
- Organize storage areas. If you have a cluttered cabinet, basement, or garage, the clutter could be providing hiding places for spiders and other pests. By organizing and cleaning these areas, you make it harder for pests to make nests in your home.
Stop Inviting Spiders In
The above tips will help you eliminate attracting factors, but the next step in stopping spiders and their prey is to make sure no entry points are allowing them to get inside in the first place.
- Check that there are screens over every window and door, and make sure there are no tears or holes.
- Install door sweeps and vent covers where necessary.
- Look for cracks and holes along the exterior of your home.
- Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible
- Inspect boxes and storage items for bugs before bringing them into the house.
Besides following the above tips, one of the best ways to prevent a spider infestation is to partner with American Pest Solutions. With our ongoing pest control, you can rest assured that spiders won’t feel invited into your home.
We’ll look for factors that may be attracting spiders or entry points that may be allowing them access. Then we’ll find lasting solutions that will make you and your family feel safe from all spiders in the area. Give us a call today to find out how we can help.