My friend has an enormous amount of spiders in her basement. It's gotten to the point where there are numerous spiders crawling on the walls and floors. She needs something that will not only be safe around kids and pets, but will also kill spiders on contact and not screw up the paint job on the walls. Got any ideas?
I have religiously been searching online for the past 2 weeks for any information on getting rid of spiders. I had to go twice to the hospital for spider bites, which got infected within 24hrs. What kind of spider it is??have no clue, Dr couldn't tell me. While recovering from the first set of bites i was bitten again, so i am still trying to recover. Antibiotics, benedryl and hydrocortisone cream. Honestly, i feel like crap. Anyway, i wrote down things i will need and what I will have to do to try and eliminate this problem, perhaps someone else can also use the info.
First thing you are going to want to search around your home, corners, cracks, spaces, under kitchen cabinets etc anywhere that spiders could dwell at (now i got bitten while sleeping) and found spider webs under my headboard. Before you search you MUST be covered from head to toe, pull socks over your pants, wear protective gloves etc..you don't want anything jumping or crawling on you. Once you find them, use your vacuum and suck up any webs, spiders eggs you will find. And make sure once done, you empty out your vacuum and toss out right away-since the vacuum won't kill them, just contain them.
Now the second thing you should do is chalk/fill any holes, cracks etc you find in your home. Try to keep things clean in your home, they like cardboard boxes etc. So if you have any in your home for storage purposes, it would be better to get the plastic bins. In the areas that are prone to spiders-which would also be the areas you spotted webs, try putting camphor tablets, you don't have to use the whole tablet, you can break it down. By window sills you can actually take one tablet place in a small glass of water and leave it there.
What I also found online, I saw someone else mentioning; buy spearmint, peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil, put a couple of drops in a spray bottle with water and spray in the "spider prone areas" -remember to also check your ceilings.This recipe I believe needs to be sprayed once a day in the areas. (camphor I am not sure how safe that is, so please check first if you have children or pets. I have 3 cats so I will be doing some more research. Ok guess that is it on what I found, I also want to thank the person below that mentioned the lemon pledge, I will also write that one down and try it. Pray for me something works. Hugs, Melinda
Ever since summer started there are spiders everywhere. I live in Australia. The spiders here are huge. I really need to know how to get rid of them. They just show up in my room and under stuff. Please help.
A great solution to the spider problem is, Talstar P. It is available at several different places on the net, for Do it yourself pest control. You mix it with water and Joy dish detergent, yes, JOY, not dawn. And spray it around. It should eliminate the population quite a bit. It appears effective for about 3 months.
I've Lived in my house for 7 month now and not seen one spider all of a sudden loads have turned up in my bedroom. All different sizes all around my windowsill and on my bed. I'm terrified of them I cant sleep in my room! I cant go near them. My windowsill is clean so I don't understand where they have come from! Please could someone explain why they may have come about all of a sudden, and a good way to get rid of them? Thanks
I am terrified of spiders and i keep hearing all over and reading how eucalyptus will help keep them away. I went and bought a bunch of eucalyptus leaves and plants i have a lot in my room like 30 plants! Just tonight I have had to kill two and last night one was right on the leaves. I just don't know what to do about the problem I do know I cant even sleep anymore!! Thats just the ones I saw! Who knows how many more are hiding.
I know that everybody wants 'natural' things to work with but sometimes we need to pull out all the stops and go for blood! I cannot abide bugs in my home and spiders drive me insane (or MORE insane my husband would say!). There is a fogger made by VetKem that you purchase at the vet office (don't think you can get it anywhere else) that I THINK kills spiders. I know it kills fleas and flea eggs. Not natural by any means but maybe it would work for those of you who will do almost anything to be rid of spiders.
I live in an old house. I am forever getting spiders, but nothing that I am too afraid of. Most of these spiders are in my basement. I had to go down in the basement the other day and was amazed at what I saw. Every spider in my basement was dead and covered in what looks like a white powder substance.
I have never seen this before. I have spiders upstairs as well but they do not seem to be effected by what ever is killing the ones in my basement. I am now worried that I might have something bigger to worry about in my house. Has anyone else encountered this, and if so what is it?
I heard that Eucalyptus keeps spiders away somehow. I have some laying around in places like behind the china cabinet, under this behind that, and we have no spiders. My daughter runs out of the house screaming if she sees one.
I know that spiders anatomies are very different than ours and other bugs. Check it out. They actually breath in through a book lung where the air flows over the opening on the underside of their abdomen. I think that is why they don't like to be where something has been sprayed-and it can be cleaners or just a really strong smell. http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/spider/page2.htm
I have read all the replies. This was not mentioned, at Walmart or kmart in the garden department there is a product called Home Defense, it is used inside and out by spraying, easy to use and is safe around children and pets. I highly recommend, good for all bugs, read the label, have a great summer everyone.
ALSO... BORAX! I lightly sprinkled it behind, under, and around furniture. you can barely see it on the carpet, but where it's hidden I loaded up so it would really be effective =] like under the bed, under cushions, and it my closet.
I bought one of those plug in devices, and maybe I'm using it wrong, or the plug was broke or SOMETHING, but this DID NOT WORK AT ALL! Don't waste your money... the spiders probably liked it, they were always by it and some right on top! LAME!
I live in the basement of my cousin's rental house. It was vacated for 2 years, which explained the insane bug situation when we moved in last September. There were an abundance of spiders especially, mostly because that is their mating time. all kinds of sizes shapes and colors. I HATE SPIDERS! The generic spray from the store wasn't working much and mostly a kill on contact deal, not a preventive measure. As much as I'd rather see NONE AT ALL, a drastic decrease is suitable as well. I read chestnuts or the oil, they hate the smell. Also, and so far this has worked. CAMPHOR! I placed on my windowsills and in corners. i made sachets of dead EUCALYPTUS leaves, found at Earth Lore (a candle/incense shop), as well as LAVENDER and CITRONELLA OILS. Spiders hate the smell of all three of these, and since they taste with their legs, they also hate the taste of anything citrus. So needless to say, I wiped down and sprayed my walls and corners with a mixture of pine sol orange, natural citronella, and artificial lavender oils. Also, dust! Clean cobwebs, dust, and vacuum. Keep the house generally clean and it should cut back!
My answer to this dilemma will most likely not be very popular. Barring the species which bite and cause harm to humans, black widow, brown recluse, etc, spiders are actually extremely beneficial. Of course I might not want an entire basement full of them, but in my home a reasonable amount living peacefully in the corners of my walls are very welcome guests. Wolf spiders, btw, literally take a half hour to actually break through our skin to bite a human, even if they try. One has to decide, esp. here in Iowa during the summer, which evil one likes better, the mosquito that carrie parasites and disease, or the "pet" spiders living peacefully in their corner web, stealthily eating those nasty mosquitoes.
Use a bomb. These are very effective. I have set off several bombs in my basement to get rid of yellow jackets, spiders, crickets. We have two bedrooms in the basement.
There's a terrific website called: www.doyourownpestcontrol.com
I order a product that is safe enough to use in the restaurant. Talstar. I bought a hosesprayer (used for weeds) and spray my house and 2 acres once a month. I may see appx. 1/2 dz. spiders in the summer and none in the winter. I live in the desert where critters roam free, just not on my turf :)
That's so funny that I saw this tonight. Today I purchased for my friend some Chestnut Oil on eBay. My friend lives in Spain and they seem to have jumping spiders there the size of plates! My friend was advised to put Chestnuts in areas of her house which she did to great effect. Now the season is ending for them I recommended to her to get some oil. That way she can put drops on cotton wool balls in areas in the house and on window sills and she could also mix a few drops in a pump spray bottle with some vodka (capful or two to act as preservative) and fill the rest with water and spray on the outsides of the windows. Spiders HATE the smell of Chestnuts!
I hope this helps you. All good luck, Monique Somerset, UK
I have heard that HedgeApples, conkers, horsechestnuts work. These are the same things...just different names. They always seem to have them at our flea markets in the summer. They are large greenish yellow balls that come off of trees. I think they say the odor of them repels spiders. Here's an online site on them with a picture. http://hedgeapple.com/
This is the wrong time of year for this tip, and an old wives' tale as well, but I'll put it out for what it's worth. It is said that hedge apples (osage oranges because they look like green oranges and are plentiful in Missouri) should be kept in the corners to keep out bugs and spiders. My mom and I pick them up for that purpose from time to time. I would put something under them in case they rot, but they keep for a really long time. I haven't tried this in my own house, but I think my mother does and she's a pretty smart cookie.
I had a problem with spiders too. I live in an old house and they would always get in. So I followed them to find out how they got in. They were coming up the drain in the bathtub, so I block that off now at night. ALso, tape around all your doors where there are cracks to keep them out. I also wash the front of my house with the hose quite often to get them out of the shutters and eaves. I don't have a very big problem now.
I'm in Louisiana and have recently encountered several spiders in the house. I think I have killed 8 or so in the past 2 weeks. Including 2 Black Widow Spiders (although these were on the patio). Terminix has sprayed but it's my understanding that what they use is NOT preventative.
I have read that spiders like messy, cluttered spaces and my house has never been either. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can prevent living with these creatures. I fear for my infants safety. HELP!
Hardiness Zone: 8a
Margaret from Louisiana
Answers:
RE: Spiders In My House
If you are from the New Orleans area, be aware that there is the Brown Widow coming in there. They look similar to a Black Widow, just brown is coloring. They came from the Florida area due to necessary lumber and contractors.
I was in the lower 9th last year and seeing a hairy black spider while gutting a house was enough to scare me to death!
Also, check for drafty areas around your windows and doors. All it takes is a small crack for those rascals to get it. Door draft stoppers and/or clacking(?) around the windows does cut down on the 8-legged invasion. (04/02/2007)
I've been told that if you place conkers (horse chestnuts) in each corner of your room the odor or chemical that is given off acts as a repellent to spiders, although I've not needed to try it myself. (04/03/2007)
I use canned flea bombs to eradicate & deter all creepy crawlies. You need to vacate your house for 3 hours while the aerosol does its job & settles. This works for a very long time for me here in Australia - no fleas, no silver fish, no spiders, no ants. (04/03/2007)
By Julie - Australia
RE: Spiders In My House
We bought a spray from, I believe, Lowes called Bayer. It kills all kinds of bugs including spiders. We bought it cause we had a problem with "rolly polly" or potato bugs in our basement level. It also cut down on our spider population. This spray really works. I think you use it every 9 months. Check it out.
Linda (04/03/2007)
Wow! I can't believe all the feedback I've gotten in regards to my question. Thank you ALL so much, I greatly appreciate it. I can't wait to try these ideas! Thanks again! (04/03/2007)
I have never tried this, but I heard that lemon pledge is good to keep spider out. (04/05/2007)
By elva
RE: Spiders In My House
A lot of times if you contact your local extension department (is what ours is called) they have info on such things - or maybe try your local city garage - that's where we can pick up a sewer safe blue rocks that are supposed to kill roots that get in there If not try your chamber of commerce or your municipal building & they can help you find who to call.
We have this http://tinyurl.com/yvy4gv
Something to be on the aware of; a friend of mine had them (brown recluse) in a house he rented in Missouri & at night they got in his shoes & bit him in between his toes!
how awful! (04/07/2007)
The best way to keep critter out of your house is to inspect windows for cracks, check all your screens and replace if necessary, and inspect your baseboards. We recently bought a 100+ year old house with moderately warped floors. I was always finding those HUGE wolf spiders in the house (shiver!). Turns out they were coming up from the basement through the gap between the floor and baseboard. Adding simple baseboard molding called a "shoe" to the bottom of the baseboards was all that was needed to rid the house of them. (04/07/2007)
I have a cockatoo and cannot sprayt much of anything in house, but slivers of soap on window sills and areas you may see spiders do the trick. Don't know why but it gets rid of them. After checking doors and windows be sure your drains are closed off too. Good luck JAN (04/12/2007)
By Janene Winkhart
RE: Spiders In My House
Does anyone know of the homemade recipe using spearmint oil to mix and spray that will get rid of spiders in the home? My grandmother used to use it but she is gone now and i don't have the recipe. (06/17/2007)
By flora.
RE: Spiders In My House
I live in Tampa, FL I have a I have black widows that live on my porch which was told to me by my cable guy. Ever since then I have used my pressure washer to wash away webs, spiders and creepy crawlies all around the outside of my house, I have not spiders as often as before. (09/23/2007)
By Tanvir
RE: Spiders In My House
I just found a NASTY looking fat garden spider on my porch. I decided I wanted to nip this in the bud before it gets worse. One thing I have not heard anyone mention, PRAYING MANTIS. You can order their eggs online for maybe $20 and that 1 egg case will produce about 100+ babies. Mantis LOVE Spiders...for dinner.
They are pretty cool, and I HATE bugs, but I have come to respect the mantis and live happily with it. I am deathly afraid of spiders tho...so me and the mantis are BFF.
Also, try lemon pledge, seems to repel spiders (10/19/2007)
By spider killer
RE: Spiders In My House
I appreciate all of the feedback that you guys have taken time out to leave. However, I have a question....a couple of you have mentioned lemon pledge-Where would you put this? I mean, would I spray it around my baseboards? I have an infant crawling and this isn't feasible. I just wondered how/where exactly do you spray the pledge? Thanks (10/22/2007)
Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.
Archives:
Request: Spiders
Archived on 04/02/2007
What can I do to get rid of spiders in my house. I have all different kinds. I have fogged and sprayed but nothing seems to help. Any suggestions.
Gloria
Answers:
RE: Spiders
In order to rid your home of spiders, burn eucalyptus candles. (10/10/2001)
By Karen
RE: Spiders
Keep the corners, under beds and furniture well vacuumed. Keep your eye out for nests and vacuum them up a soon as you see them. Spiders seem to like corners and dark places where their webs won't be disturbed. (10/10/2001)
By Jeanine
RE: Spiders
What I do to keep spiders and other creepy crawlies out of the house, is I buy the big gallon jug of the indoor/outdoor bug spray with the spray nozzle on a pull out line. I then at least once a month or so, spray around the outside of all the window and door frames of my house. Depending on rain hitting the house, this keeps them out for at least a month. I know it is time to spray again when I see a spider inside. This really works. Good luck. (10/11/2001)
I know that this is a little late, but I have read that the majority of spiders do not bite you. They are there to eat other bugs that you have. If you get rid of the others, the spidders will go. I have also read that the spiders that do bite can be really nasty. The Black Widow, of course, and there is the Brown Recluse, which is not always brown. It is supposed to have 'crab-like' legs. I think I saw one in my backyard, rolled up in a little ball inside of a leaf which was also rolled up. I saw the little legs and the first thing that came to mind was 'crab'. Anyway, I have a cat and must be careful of spraying with poisons.
I read about Boric Acid sprinkled around the house, whicj I bought at a local drug store, but then I got Borateen in the detergent section of my supermarket, which is cheaper and works just as well. I have a lot of stubb against the walls, but it is too small a space for the cat to go. I sprinkled some around the rooms, esp in cracks where the rug or linolium, etc ends. Under the fridge and stove. In corners of cupboards on the floor. I vacuumed the rugs and sprinkled some lightly on the rugs. After a few days I vacuumed that up. I don't want the cat exposed for a prolonged time. The reading I did said the stuff does not decompose over time, so works indefinately, as long as it's still on the floor, it's working. The stuff is also a mild germicide and also a fungicide. It is non-scratch for cleaning bathrooms and will discourage mold. (08/02/2003)
Any cardboard boxes are a great place to find them. I threw all boxes out and got plastic bins it has cut down on spiders. (10/03/2004)
By Nicky
RE: Spiders
Keep your house clutter free and cardboard box free. When we moved into our house I had all of my daughter's toys in a few cardboard boxes. Also had cardboard box full of clothes in closet. Got too lazy to mess with it and found out that I should have done something. A few weeks ago we started getting loads of spiders, adults and little white babies. Spiders like the dark, cardboard boxes and clutter. Also keep tree branches trimmed. Certain spiders live in trees. (04/12/2005)
I've recently moved into a new apartment and have found that it's apparently infested with crab spiders. These are supposed to be garden spiders. However, they seem to have found a home in our building. I don't know what to do to get rid of them! They're not typical spiders (no webs, etc.) I'm going nuts cleaning right now, but they appear to be living in walls, etc. I took down a light fixture to change a bulb and the glass globe was full of them. Does anyone have any ideas?? I'm not really a fan of this kind of roommate! Thanks. (02/18/2006)
