Spiders are creepy, venomous critters with fangs. If you're seeing them in your Portland home, we can understand why you might be unhappy about it. Fortunately, Maine is not home to any spiders that are considered medically important. Most spider bites won't amount to much more than a small, itchy, red welt. But even though Portland spiders pose no serious threat, it is still creepy to have them in your home. Spiders climb all around your home while you're sleeping and can even crawl into bed with you. If you're thinking, "No thanks!" We're with you. Here is a quick and handy guide to effective spider control in Portland Maine.
Step One: Reduce The Food
Spiders eat bugs. If you have lots of bugs around your home, you'll have lots of spiders. If you take steps to reduce bugs, not only will you enjoy the benefits of fewer bugs, you'll be removing an important food source for spiders.
Vegetation — Your plants and flowers attract insect activity, but so do unwanted vegetation. If you remove vegetation, you can reduce the habitation of many pests. Trimming your grass has a similar impact. Tall grass is a haven for insects.
Moisture — Many bugs are drawn to dampness and high humidity. When you dry things out, you reduce these pests. One great way to keep your perimeter dry is to make sure your gutter system is cleaned out and working properly.
Trash — You would be amazed at how many bugs can get a meal inside your trash. If pests smell your trash, they'll hang out around your trash. Keep trash bags in a covered container and keep your receptacles as clean as possible to reduce pest activity.
Light — Many insects are drawn to light. If you have exterior lights on your home, or track lighting in your garden, you will lure insects into your yard. Consider leaving lights off when they're not needed and where they don't create a security concern. You may also consider using yellow lighting which is less attractive to insects.
Step Two: Remove Water
If you have puddles or containers of water in your yard, you will give spiders a drinking hole. This can be anything. An overturned frisbee is like a water dish for spiders. All it takes is one rainfall.
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Pick up kids' toys in your yard.
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Don't leave cups or dishes outside.
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Slant tarps to allow water to run to the ground.
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Stow lawn equipment.
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Put sleds back in the shed after winter.
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Loosen compacted ground.
Step Three: Remove Harborage
When spiders come into your yard, one of the first things they will look for is a place to hide. Have you ever noticed a web in an old tire or cinder block? Have you ever noticed a web on a swing set? These are evidence that spiders have found a place to hide. Many spiders will create a web and hide in a nearby void.
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Move objects away from your exterior walls, especially firewood.
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Trim bushes and shrubs.
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Remove lawn clutter.
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Consider bringing that 82 Chevy to the junkyard.
Step Four: Remove Webs
What do you do when you see webs? Do you ignore them and think, "That web is going to catch some black flies." While you're right about that, what you might not know is that a web can have hundreds of eggs in it. When those eggs hatch, you're going to have little hatchlings running around on your property. Dispose of webs quickly to reduce spider populations.
Step Five: Batten Down The Hatches
When spiders explore your exterior, they find ways to get in. While it is impossible to keep all spiders out of your home, you can reduce the number that get in by sealing potential entry points.
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Do you have a pipe with a gap around it? That will allow a lot of spiders into your home.
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Do you have a door that is missing a door sweep? Spiders can slip right underneath your door.
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Do you have gaps in your weatherstripping? Those small gaps are plenty large enough for little spiderlings, and some adult spiders, to squeeze through.
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Do you have cracks in your foundation wall? This will inevitably lead to lots of spiders in your cellar or basement.
Step Six: Get Control
Remember that Big Blue Bug Solutions is always available to help repel and eliminate pests around your exterior by providing treatments of EPA approved products. We also get rid of webs in places that are hard to reach. Contact us today to learn more about our residential pest control options, and say goodbye to Maine spiders.
