Spiders are everywhere. If you want to completely get away from spiders, you’ll have to either move to one of the earth’s polar regions, the top of a very high and very cold mountain, or deep into the ocean, as there are even a few spider species that have invaded the ocean’s edge. Splash.
A 1995 popular article by famous arachnologist Norman Platnick wrote “Wherever you sit as you read these lines, a spider is probably no more than a few yards away.” Fortunately, though, this is only a myth. If you’re standing on a lush green lawn in Central Park in New York City, it’s true. You’re probably standing on a very tiny spider or maybe even a few very tiny spiders. But, if you’re up in a hot air balloon or flying across the United States, you’re very unlikely to encounter a spider, unless it’s one that’s airborne and parachuting across the world. (Spiders can actually float over hundreds of miles by casting threads of silk into the air.)
There are over 35,000 species of different (known) spiders in the world. Most don’t bite. They’re shy. All have eight legs. All shoot silk out of their abdomen and can use this amazingly strong silk to build elaborate webs. All prey on insects.
Do you have these air-breathing fanged arachnids in your home? Most likely, yes. It’s actually okay to have some spiders in your home. In fact, it’s normal.
Where might you see spiders?
In your closet
Not every closet will have spiders, but the ones that you may not visit very often may. Think about your entry closet, the one where your water heater or indoor air-conditioner unit is kept, or that tiny spare storage closet (whose door handle is still missing!) that’s rarely used. These undisturbed areas are apt to have eight-legged visitors. Consider other similar spaces in your home too. Think about anywhere that’s dark, quiet, or unused. They might just be hiding out there (in plain sight).
In your bathroom
Some species of spiders prefer moist or damp areas, especially so because it makes a superb hunting ground for other insects for them to prey on. Carefully inspect not only your bathroom, but also your kitchen (under your sink please) and your basement—anywhere where there might be moisture.
On ceiling corners
Have you ever looked up and wondered: How long has that web been in that ceiling fixture? Why is there a cobweb dangling between photos of my pets and children on the wall? Has anyone else seen this webbing in the corner above our dining room table? Folks, we’ve all been there.
On your windowsills
This is one of the most common areas that accumulate spider webs in your home. As you do your weekly dusting routine, make sure to do a quick swipe along all windowsills in your home.
Anywhere there’s clutter
A spider’s favorite person is a hoarder. Actually, cockroaches, mice, and many other pests really like hoarders too. Boxes of opened-only-once-a-year Christmas decorations, piles of Good Housekeeping magazines, shelves stuffed with trinkets and various knick-knacks, etc. all make these unwelcome guests feel very welcome.
In your basement or attic
One’s basement is the epitome of spider habits; it’s dark and quiet. Spiders are solitary creatures, preferring their living space to be just that—dark and quiet. Basements are also a bit cluttered, right? They’re usually used as storage areas and, because we don’t use them very often, we don’t feel a need to organize them very often. (Spiders love clutter.) They also present an abundance of prey and resources.
Attics are much the same. They make great hiding places.
Spiders outside your house, in shed or in garage
We fill our sheds with children’s outdoor play toys, gardening tools and hoses, ladders, and plant pots. We store our season-to-season necessities in these spaces. When the door is closed and the snow begins to fall, we trust that these items will remain secure and ready for use in the spring. What we forget is that spiders are also beginning to fill these spaces, having entrusted the shed to keep them warm, dry, and also ready for the spring.
Garages have corners and ceilings that often go untouched. They provide a perfect home for these arachnids to set up camp and grow in size, before heading into your home when the cold weather really hits.
Common spiders in and around your home
Let’s identify some of the most common spiders that you’re most likely to find in and around your home. There are four.
American house spider
This spider is small, brownish-gray, and the most common house spider. It likes to build webs in hidden areas of the home, such as attics and basements, or in your shed or barn. Most of the webs are in the corners of rooms and very easy to miss.
To rid your home of American house spiders, use Dr. Killigan's Insect Buster to spread a thin layer of Dust to Dust where these spiders may be entering your home, such as patios, outdoor sills, and around windows and door frames.
Jumping spider
This spider is small, often fuzzy with a flat face, and is distinguishable by their distinct eye pattern of four sets of eyes. (You probably won’t get close enough to see all of this, but it is interesting.) Their personal preference is to live outdoors, but they may set up shop near a window or door in your home, where there is a higher chance of them catching prey. Jumping spiders live up to their name too, stalking and then jumping to catch their prey. Because they live on foot, you’re unlikely to come across one of their webs.
If you believe that you have jumping spiders in your home, I recommend dispersing Dust to Dust with Dr. Killigan's Insect Buster around potential entry points. It is non-toxic, easy to use, and easy to fill. Create a thin line of powder near the baseboards in your kitchen and where you have seen any spider activity. The goal is to get rid of the spider. If you just get rid of a spider’s web, they’ll spin a new one.
Brown recluse
This spider prefers warm locations and is often found in the central and southern United States. It is a larger species of spider, measuring an inch or more in size. The brown recluse is often found outdoors, in dark, sheltered areas such as piles of wood, rocks, or leaves. They may make their way indoors, living in a pair of unused shoes or a pile of long-untouched clothing, but this is not common. They are not aggressive spiders and will only bite if they are trapped against skin. Beware, though: Their bite is harmful and often requires immediate medical attention.
To prevent a brown recluse encounter, clean up clutter in your yard, your basement, and your home. Wear gloves when moving rocks or wood and avoid stacking wood up against your house.
Disperse Dust to Dust powder with Dr. Killigan’s Insect Buster as a proactive measure. Dust to Dust's tiny dust particles cling to the legs and body of any spider or insect that comes in contact with it. When the insect or spider later grooms the powder off their bodies, it disables them as the silica builds up in their system—they can neither digest nor excrete this substance. Once this takes place (after about a week to 10 days, depending on the insect), the insects die of dehydration or starvation as the Dust to Dust affects their metabolism and ability to absorb nutrients.
But don’t worry, folks. We’re not causing pain to any of these little creatures, as insects do not have pain receptors the way that vertebrates do.
Black widow
This arachnid is one of the most feared, with its shiny black appearance and the red hourglass spot on their stomach. They bite and their venom, while not as toxic as a brown recluse, may require medical attention depending on the sensitivity of the one bitten.
If there are black widows in the region of the world in which you live, you should consider spraying a thin layer of diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of your property. If this isn’t possible, I would disperse a layer around areas where black widows are likely to build their nests—any dark, dry, and secluded areas.
If you happen to find a black widow in your home, we recommend dispersing Dust to Dust powder strategically around the edges of rooms and behind or beneath furniture and appliances, with an eye toward places the vacuum and foot traffic doesn’t reach. The more Dust to Dust powder your pests come into contact with, the quicker they’ll die. The least messy, most accurate means of dispersal: Dr. Killigan’s Insect Buster.
How to rid your home of spiders
Many people have arachnophobia. Most everyone just wants to steer clear of spiders. But, you can do more than “steer clear” of them. You can dispose of them for good with Dr. Killigan's.
Dr. Killigan’s Insect Buster is the most effective tool for dispersing non-toxic Dust to Dust. Dust to Dust powder is safe for humans, but absolute death for insects. This incredibly sturdy DIY duster is made for efficient and precise powder insecticide dispersal.
We are continually raising the bar in toxin-free pest control products. All our products come in a design that is pleasing to the eye and carries a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not satisfied for any reason, contact us, and we will not hesitate to make things right.
