My bug-banishing rules will keep spiders out of your house – making a slight tweak to your wall paint can really help
TEMPS are starting to drop — and for some people, that means spiders are starting to drop in.
One bug-busting homeowner has shared his proven tips for keeping creepy crawlies out.
His advice for deterring spiders includes getting creative with wall paint.
He said having a large number of bugs may be an indicator of a bigger problem in the home than a change in season.
“If you have a lot of spiders, it means they’ve got enough bugs to eat to sustain their population,” he said on Reddit, writing under the handle Chrisbrl88.
“It’s also important to realize that spiders don’t typically come in from outside.
“House spiders are adapted to survive in houses, garden spiders are adapted to survive in gardens, and Spiderman is adapted to survive in New York City,” he joked.
CAULK IT UP
But if bugs are invading, he has several tips that can help to keep the insects from getting inside the home.
First, he said, seal up any openings or cracks around the foundation with caulk or expanding foam.
“This also happens to be a good time to insulate the rim joist, because there’s a lot of overlap between the two jobs,” he said.
“You also wanna carefully look around all windows and doors and make sure those are caulked up well, too.
“If you feel so inclined, you can huck a bug bomb up into the attic for peace of mind.”
PAINT VERSUS PESTS
Most people would know to reach for bug sprays, but it might not occur to many that insecticides can actually be mixed into wall paint.
“When you paint (everyone paints when they buy a new house), you can mix an insecticidal additive into the paint,” he said.
He added that bugs use landscaping to get inside, but trimming shrubs and bushes to avoid contact with the house can prevent this.
A granulated insecticide should also be routinely applied to the perimeter of the house, including in flower beds and around the yard.
However, avoid putting sprays on any flowering plants while they’re in bloom to avoid killing honeybees.
“I use bifenthrin (common brand name: Ortho Bug-B-Gon, but available under other names for cheaper at Walmart and home improvement stores) because it has next to no toxicity to mammals – very safe if you’re not a bug,” he said.
“You can never fully eliminate spiders (unless you’re planning on moving to the Arctic Circle or Antarctica), but they can definitely be reduced to a point where you don’t notice them.”
SEASONAL STAPLES
Ortho Bug-B-Gon is available for $14.10 at Walmart.
According to the brand, it protects lawns and landscapes from bugs including ants, ticks, and spiders, for up to six months.
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Ortho Bug-B-Gon, $14.10, Walmart
It starts to kill insects within minutes of being applied but is safe to use on home perimeters and vegetable gardens.
Walla Walla Environmental Bug Juice Paint Additive is currently sold out at Walmart.
Shoppers have given it a 4.5-star rating after being impressed by how effective it is for deterring insects.
It can be mixed with any paint, stain, or sealant for use both indoors and outdoors.
“Add this to your exterior paint and wasps, dirt dobbers, spiders are gone,” one customer said.
“Mixes well with oil base stain and latex paint. Hopefully, it will help with the lady asian beetles and stink bugs,” another said.