Prevention: Keep Spiders Out in the First Place
Repellents are a bandage. Prevention is the cure.
Seal entry points: Use caulk to seal cracks around windows, doors, pipes, and vents. Install door sweeps. Repair torn screens.
Reduce clutter: Spiders love undisturbed areas.
Keep storage boxes off the floor. Vacuum behind furniture. Don’t let piles of clothes or papers accumulate.
Outdoor maintenance: Keep vegetation trimmed away from your house. Move firewood away from the foundation. Remove debris and leaf piles.
Turn off outdoor lights: Lights attract insects. Insects attract spiders. Use yellow “bug lights” or motion-activated lights.
Clean regularly: Vacuum corners, baseboards, and window sills. Remove visible webs. Shake out curtains and bedding.
Declutter the basement and attic: Spiders thrive in undisturbed spaces. If you can’t eliminate clutter, at least organize it so
you can see what’s there.
Are Spiders Dangerous? (A Reality Check)
Before you declare war on every eight-legged creature in your home, let me offer some perspective.
