The Ultimate Cheat Sheet on Get Rid of Spiders

“Incy Wincy spider climbed up the water spout. Down came the rain and washed the spider out. Out came the sunshine and dried up all the rain. So, Incy Wincy spider climbed up the spout again. “

Do you remember singing along to this tune in your school days? A song so catchy and lively for kids, yet there is a moment of truth in this popular nursery rhyme. That is, many spiders crawl in from the outside to your homes.  

Naturally the first reaction of many when they spot a spider crawling at home is probably to scream. Many people are afraid of spiders and this phobia of spiders is called Arachnophobia. The mere sight of spiders could make your hair stand on the edges. Its 8 legs and 2 eyes just creep up and make you shiver. Another peer over to that dark corner in the wardrobe, cabinet or under the wash basin has now make you discover the horrors of cobwebs and egg sacs you have been sharing the home with Incy Wincy and its babies.  

Fret not! You can take this situation into your own hands today with this ultimate cheat sheet on getting rid of spiders.

Use white vinegar – White vinegar, a common household item is able to repel spiders with its strong acidic smell. Spiders simply hate that smell! Mix 8 portions of vinegar with 2 portions of water; place the solution in a spray bottle and start aiming at the nooks and crevices, window sills and doorways. This can help to repel the spiders, that is- a wonderful short-term solution.

Why is this a short-term solution?  Trying to get rid of spiders with DIY vinegar and water solution can be a temporary method to deter spiders from entering your home, or choosing a snug corner to settle in. However, many other precautions have to be taken as well when in the first place these spiders actually crawl in from the outside.

Proofing your home – Homeowners should look to sealing gaps, cracks and crevices especially along window sills and door ways. This prevents spiders from having a chance to crawl in.  

Doing proper proofing for your home is important as you would have also reduced the chances of attracting spiders into your home when its food sources are kept out. Pests such as cockroaches, cloth moths and fruit flies all serve as attractive food for spiders.

Be aware – While DIY solutions and proofing your home serve as deterrents, however, if a spider infestation gets out of control, you may risk getting spider bites*. Seek help from a professional pest control company in Indonesia to control the population effectively. Rentokil Pest Control with more than 45 years of pest control experience is here to discuss any of your pest worries.

* Spider bites can be dangerous depending on type and species of spiders. Always seek proper medical attention from a doctor if you are bitten.

Stagnant water has arguably become the breeding ground for a mosquito to complete their life cycle. Most of the types of mosquitoes will lay and hatch their eggs directly into the stagnant fresh water that can be found around the property.

Adult female mosquitoes breed in large numbers (approximately 100-400 eggs), and it hatches within 48 hours to begin larvae stages depending on water temperature.

Look around at your property, and try to eliminate any items that could be the sources of stagnant water:

• Buckets
• Tin cans
• Used or discarded tires
• Plate flower vase
• Kiddie pools
• Pet water dishes

2. Keep the water moving

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, so if you have a pond at home you have to ensure that to keep the water moving.

Installation for water features, such as a water fountain or a water agitator will help you to limit the opportunity for mosquitoes to lay their eggs - due to the fact that larvae can only survive in stagnant water and not on the moving water.

Also, don’t forget to keep your ponds tidy with regular cut off to any vegetation that may grow around the pond edges.

3. Install insect screens to windows and doors

While it's almost impossible to protect your yard and home completely from mosquito problems, it's important to ensure that you keep them outside all the time.

Installing insect screens to your windows and doors, not only will block mosquitoes and other small pesky insects from coming indoors but also an ideal way to let you keep that cool breezy run through your home.

4. Grow some mosquito-repelling plants in your garden

Besides adding beauty to your garden, growing some of the mosquito-repelling plants is the easiest and cheapest way to reduce the number of mosquitos in your property naturally.

Many plants emit strong scents and very repulsively for many insects that can be used to deter mosquitoes too. There are at least 8 plants that repel mosquitoes naturally you can grow at the garden:

• Lemongrass
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Catnip
• Lemon balm
• Geraniums
• Basil
• Mint

5. Remove mosquito resting areas

The most common mosquito species most active at night - during the dawn and evening hours. While during the daytime, they prefer to harbour in a dark, sheltered and undisturbed place. To reduce the likelihood of mosquitoes flying around your home is by removing any areas that potentially could be promoting mosquito harborage both inside and outside your house.

Although mosquito resting places may vary between species, yet there are some generalities about mosquito resting behaviour.

• Outside your house – mosquitoes like to rest on tall grass and shrubs. Trim your lawn regularly and keep the shrubs away from the foundation of your house to make your yard less attractive to become mosquitoes' resting area.
• Inside your house – Aedes Aegypti is one of the mosquito species that are commonly known for their indoor resting preferences. There are a couple of places that become Aedes mosquito resting sites inside your house, including under the furniture, hanging utensils in the kitchen and hanging used clothes in the bathroom.

Did you know? Aedes mosquito likes to rest on the hanging used clothes because it consists of some substances that can attract them to come, these include humans amino acids, body heat, odour and sweat.

6. Keep your gutter clean and free from debris

It is important to always keep your gutters clean from debris all the time. Not just important as a part of home maintenance, but when leaves and other debris could clog up the waterways it will become a perfect place for mosquito breeding grounds.

7. Keep the cool temperature inside the house