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Original poster

Please tell me how you spider proof your house?!

117 replies

elm26 · 15/08/2023 22:34

I need serious help.

I've had two huge spiders crawl on me in the past month and one has just now run across my living room floor.

I've also got rid of 3 false widows this week. So that's 6 spiders in a month. I've never seen this many in a short period of time until I moved here.

I really need some advice on how to prevent them, I am absolutely petrified.

OP posts:
Original poster
elm26 · 15/08/2023 23:19

Thanks everyone.

I've ordered some peppermint oil and will try that tomorrow as I imagine it's safer to use than the sprays with DD and our dog. If that doesn't work, I will order some spray.

I just don't understand where they're hiding, I don't have any clutter because I have OCD (diagnosed) and I hoover every day because of dog hair (easy to do in a small flat, only takes 5 minutes).

It's horrible 😢

OP posts:
Spookyseasonmum · 15/08/2023 23:25

If I spot one in the house I use Doff spider killer, one spray and they’re dead within seconds but I try to prevent them coming in by covering window frames with peppermint oil and soaking cotton pads with it and chucking them under the furniture.

Moneynewpence · 15/08/2023 23:25

You can't. They will make their nests where they think suitable.
Better to concentrate on getting rid of your irrational fear. Spiders are not only harmless but beneficial.

RonniePickering · 15/08/2023 23:26

Aah I have a cellar and the cellar spiders see all the bigger ones off.

carly2803 · 15/08/2023 23:29

get a cat. I rarely see spiders now!

Orders76 · 15/08/2023 23:30

I hate any kind of killing or spray.
Massive rows about leaving windows open for summer, I'm just so scared. Exactly what some said about huge impact.

otherhalves · 15/08/2023 23:31

I use this stuff and spray it all round windows/skirting boards and any entry points. I occasionally find a small dead one but on the whole I think it just keeps them away.

New amzn.eu/d/2YBEmBo

Jules58 · 15/08/2023 23:37

Yes I use peppermint spider spray from Amazon. I spray it in all the corners , and it's a very pleasant smell, and I've only seen one spider in the house this year so far. Brilliant stuff x

Doingtheboxerbeat · 15/08/2023 23:39

Anyone who suggests getting a cat needs to watch that hilarious video, because of its accuracy. Cats only eat spiders if you care about spiders and aren't ridiculously terrified of them 😭.

cartreepo · 15/08/2023 23:41

Cellar spiders! They eat all the other ones, they're the only ones touch wood I see in my house and i happily leave them be. I also have a cat. If you see any cellar spiders in corner etc leave them be
Also I joined a spider group on Facebook and it really helped as they explain all about the different species and it makes them seem less scary some how, I've gone from being terrified to being able to catch and remove large spiders at work without much fear. Spiders are actually really interesting creatures...never thought I would say that Grin

PleaseGiveMeBackMySummer · 15/08/2023 23:41

I think trying to spider-proof your house is like trying to oxygen-proof it. There's nothing you can do to stop them getting in. Sorry @elm26

Moccasin · 15/08/2023 23:41

Not quite the season yet, but when you see conkers, put some in the corners of your windowsills and near your outer doors.

Elphame · 15/08/2023 23:42

Good solid banishing spell!!

They can't come within 6" of the house

GrumpyOldCrone · 15/08/2023 23:47

Elphame · 15/08/2023 23:42

Good solid banishing spell!!

They can't come within 6" of the house

I assume this does not have to be done sky-clad. 😁

cloudsandream · 16/08/2023 00:26

I stayed in a ground floor flat in my final year of university that had a large and bushy garden right outside my window. The spiders were horrific, massive things. In my curtains, the bathroom, under my table, in my bed etc it really did trouble my mental health. Like you OP I had one or two crawl on me and it was fucking awful.

I tried natural remedies such as peppermint oil first around my skirting boards, and then an actual anti spider spray. It did nothing and I saw one the next day making its merry way across my carpet completely unbothered. Then I tried window netting, and again it made no difference.

What actually helped? Indorex spray. Mine was pricey at £16 a can but god it was worth every penny and saved my mental sanity tbh. I sprayed it down, aired the room out for about an hour, and never saw a live spider again the remainder of the academic year. It also killed off some silverfish in my bathroom too 😅. It’s really good stuff and whilst some will come at you saying it’s unethical to kill these bugs, your mental health comes first. I regret nothing!

Frabbits · 16/08/2023 00:31

It's just spiders.

They can't hurt you, going around killing them off just because of some irrational fear is at best, utterly pointless.

Original poster
elm26 · 16/08/2023 00:34

I hate to tell the posters that say it's irrational etc that a fear is a fear. I can't help it. I don't want to be petrified of them, my life would be easier if I wasn't. I'm sat up on the sofa shaking because I'm too scared to go to bed in the dark, close my eyes. I know it's silly, over the top, etc etc but I really cannot help how petrified I am of them.

OP posts:
Original poster
elm26 · 16/08/2023 00:34

Thank you everyone who's offered me the advice I needed!

OP posts:
JudgeJ · 16/08/2023 00:37

elm26 · 15/08/2023 22:39

@ThreeLittleDots the flea killer stuff?

I hate killing them but I'm so so scared and I can't physically remove them 😢

What's scary about a spider in the UK, they're not carnivorous!

echt · 16/08/2023 00:44

But all spiders are carnivorous. And the vast majority are venomous.

Mum1976Mum · 16/08/2023 00:45

Definitely therapy! Lots of zoos do a fear of spiders course. My DD’s best friend has a mum who is stupidly scared of spiders…guess what…now the daughter is. You will just pass on your fear to your child. We all have fears but have to try to work through it so we don’t pass them on.

Doingtheboxerbeat · 16/08/2023 01:15

JudgeJ · 16/08/2023 00:37

What's scary about a spider in the UK, they're not carnivorous!

Show quote history

I am more afraid of a harmless spider in my bedroom than I am of snarling, massive,aggressive dog (likely in the UK)or a venomous snake (unlikely in the UK) - because it's an phobia and not a rational fear. People know perfectly well that they are harmless, like people know perfectly well that smoking is harmful - it's not that simple. I would have therapy tomorrow if I could afford it 😭.

CrazyFrogDingDing · 16/08/2023 01:35

cartreepo · 15/08/2023 23:41

Cellar spiders! They eat all the other ones, they're the only ones touch wood I see in my house and i happily leave them be. I also have a cat. If you see any cellar spiders in corner etc leave them be
Also I joined a spider group on Facebook and it really helped as they explain all about the different species and it makes them seem less scary some how, I've gone from being terrified to being able to catch and remove large spiders at work without much fear. Spiders are actually really interesting creatures...never thought I would say that Grin

I agree.
I'm terrified of spiders, but I don't mind cellar spiders because they're not a true arachnid and they kill the bigger beasts, so I encourage them to stay in my home.
I even have names for them.
Howard who lives in the bathroom failed in his duties a couple of weeks ago though when he allowed a big bugger to creep past him.
I found it in an old plastic jug which I keep in there. Fortunately I managed to slap a book over the top of it to trap it.
Then I told Howard off for slacking. I think he's got the hump on because he's buggered off into the hallway in a sulk.
I'll invest in the indorex mentioned on here to assist him.

LordSalem · 16/08/2023 01:43

Moneynewpence · 15/08/2023 23:25

You can't. They will make their nests where they think suitable.
Better to concentrate on getting rid of your irrational fear. Spiders are not only harmless but beneficial.

That's complete bullshit when you're actually frightened of them and a huge one comes running towards you, or worse, crawling over you. Don’t be so dismissive. You might be fine with it but that doesn't mean you get to dictate to others.

HopefulSeller · 16/08/2023 01:45

I think that there is a lack of understanding from people who just say get over the fear. Some of us genetically have a fear of spiders, or snakes and the reason it’s survived in us is that it’s protective, many spiders or snakes are venomous. Luckily not in the UK generally but this isn’t just some ‘silly nonsense’.

I’ve trained myself to tolerate small spiders and cellar spiders. But if I see a big one I really cannot sleep until I’ve got rid of it. Those catchers with a pole are great, very useful, but put the spider out a way not just out of the window.

And if you can, trim back big bushes and leaves outside of the house so they will want to move somewhere else with more hiding places.

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