Sexually Starved Spiders Invading Your Home!?

Sexually Starved Spiders Invading Your Home!?

It is officially spider mating season, so you might want to be on the lookout for randy spiders (probably male) invading your home in search of females. Spiders so big that they can literally set off your burglar alarm are heading indoors on the hunt for some spider lovin’. These spiders tend to be male looking for females, who are already indoors, to mate. In the coming weeks as mating season gets underway expect to see more of these eight-legged monsters roaming around your house.

Even a common house spider can have legs that grow to five inches long, and the females tend to be bigger. This makes sense, as these females getting pregnant can have to carry as many as 100 spiderlings on their backs at once. While the males are only coming in during this time of year to find a suitable mate, the females will likely stay inside your home for their entire seven year lifespan. These ladies prefer warm places, and you will most likely see them scurrying around looking for a good place to lay their eggs. Now, it’s good to remember that spiders can actually be good for your home. They catch most of the other insect pests such as flies and moths that you don’t want living under your roof.

However, if you don’t want to welcome these spiders into your home, here are some ways to make your house a little less spider-friendly. First and foremost, you want to make sure you keep your house clean. Wipe off counters, don’t let stray crumbs settle anywhere, and don’t forget to miss those often-neglected nooks and crannies that provide the perfect dark hiding place for these unwanted houseguests.

Another helpful thing to do is stock up on things that spiders don’t like. While no one is absolutely sure if this is true, it is believed that spiders don’t like anything with citrus, eucalyptus, vinegar, and peppermint. So, place things like orange peels or peppermint plants everywhere – your windowsills, on top of bookcases, and even in tiny dark corners that are appealing to these creepy crawlies. You’ll also want to keep lights off as much as possible, as many of the insects that spiders like to eat are attracted to light. One idea that might be good to invest in for any arachnophobe is to invest in cedar wood furniture. Spiders apparently hate the smell of cedar wood, so furniture made of the stuff is ideal. You can also place cedar woods blocks around any possible spider entrances outside your house.

How many spiders have you spotted inside your home this year? What do you do to keep them away?