The basement of your home can be a very multi-purpose space. For many people, it is a storage area for any excess or seasonal home items. Others may have their washer and dryer located there or exercise equipment. Some homeowners have finished basements that serve as game rooms, move theatre rooms, or guest quarters. No matter what you use your basement for, there are several things you never want in that area of your home…water, rodents, or bugs; more specifically, spiders.
Most people do not enjoy coming across spiders. Now, when they are outside, there are some varieties that are quite helpful. However, when they invade your home, this sentiment doesn’t always ring quite so true. A few spiders and other bugs are to be expected in a basement, especially one that is unfinished, but what do you do if there is a massive spider infestation? How do you best tackle spider control?
As with most things, an ounce of prevention is worth its weight in gold. Some of the main steps that you can take to keep arachnids out of your home are taking the time to inspect the foundational walls of your home, taking time to caulk and fill any gaps. You should also ensure that all window and door screens/sweeps are sealed correctly. If there are holes and cracks, it is worth replacing them. Some other preventative measures include trimming thick trees and brush back so that they are not directly against your home. These types of plants are prime spider hangouts. Finally, do your best to eliminate all spider food sources such as flies.
If you have taken the measures listed above and still find yourself crawling with undesirable eight-legged creatures, it is time to take your spider control attack plan to the next level. Bust out that vacuum and vacuum like you never have before. Use attachments to get into every corner and crevice. Clean under furniture, boxes, and bins. Don’t forget to do corners and around ductwork. Spiders can set up shop in all these tiny, seemingly hidden locations and mass produce.
Once you have completed vacuuming, empty all the contents into a plastic garbage bag, seal it shut, and immediately dispose of it outside of your home. You want to get every web, egg, and spider out of your basement ASAP. After vacuuming, you can leave sticky spider traps around infested areas to take care of any stragglers. There are essential oil blends made of ingredients like rosemary, peppermint, and citrus that you can mix with dish soap and water to deter these pests from coming around.
If you have done everything for spider control and still are infested, have no fear…The knowledgeable and friendly team at Preventive Pest Control are armed and ready to take out every unwelcome spider in your basement. Give us a call today so that we can get to the root of your problem, allowing you to live a spider-free life and take back your basement.