English
When we build homes near woods or bodies of water, or when we plant a garden in our backyard, we are inviting spiders into our home. Plants, furniture and other useful objects become the hiding spaces and surfaces they need to spin their webs. So we actually help develop populations of these little creatures, which, through no fault of their own, are feared and misunderstood.
What to do about spiders?
The answer is simple. Learn more about them and learn to live with them. After all, their presence is a valuable indicator of the quality of our environment!
Tips
- Sweep under ledges to remove webs. If their webs are removed, spiders will move elsewhere, because without their sticky trap, they can’t catch food. Over a period of time, the spider could stop producing silk, so it will prefer to move to a new spot.
- Use minimal lighting at night: Bright light attracts insects and the spiders that feed on them. Use coloured light bulbs, which are less attractive to arthropods.
- Inspect everything you bring into the house: Many species travel in logs, plants, clothing or other items that have been outdoors.
- Fill holes and cracks in the outdoor walls of your home, as well as around doors and windows. Add screens to doors, windows and ventilators.
- At home, use a vacuum cleaner to remove webs. Use a broom or container to take spiders outside instead of killing these helpful arthropods.