spiders

[Hez]

Has anyone been having trouble with a lot of spiders in the house. I don't mind the odd one, but we have been getting lots- at its worst- a couple each night. We only moved in in April and I feel like moving out. The house was empty for about one month before we moved in, but apart from that I don't know why there are so many. Any tips on getting rid of them? I don't want my wee girl getting scared.

I think she's only likely to get scared if she sees you panicking!

Why do you think your dd will be scared? She'll only be scared of them if she thinks there's something to be scared of, or if she sees you freaking out at them.

Have you given the place a really good hoover ? Behind all those bits of furniture and in nooks and crannies where spiders like to live ? I find that a really good blast with the vac does the job if I notice an increase in spiders

Yes, I've been hoovering etc but keep seeing these big ones at night. Is it the time of year? Has anyone else had the same problem?

I've not seem many about recently tbh.

I think it is the time of year, Hez - in fact I'm sure I remember seeing another thread about them not so long ago (unless I'm confusing them with squirrels, lol)

We tend to get spiders in batches, and I notice at the time that most of them are very small. So I imagine there must be a hatching season. It may well be that, and in a few weeks you won't have so many any longer. Anyway, spiders are good for the home - the eat the nasty bugs and do no harm to us.

Your dd won't get in the least bit upset unless she sees you getting upset. Don't talk about spiders as if they are nasty, or don't belong, but instead encourage her to look closely at them. They really are quite amazing creatures - have you ever examined a cobweb, or watched a spider spin one?

thread from September

PC, I've always tried to do that with my kids and I can bluff my way through it up to a point but when they are huge or sudden I scream. Can't help it

They are either medium sized (1 inch, incliding legs) or big (2 inches including legs) and I'm getting to the stage where I can't sleep at night. I'd really appreciate advice on getting rid of them or at least reducing them.

JanH - I'm like that with big dogs. Or even medium sized ones for that matter. I'm 'nice dog, isn't he lovely' and forcing myself to stroke him so that my children don't end up with my complex! (which all stems from seeing rabies warning posters on the ferry to France which always depicted mad dogs attacking little girls).

Hez - other than the thorough cleaning I can't think of a solution. I would imagine it is seasonal and you're seeing an increase because the colder weather is sending them indoors. If you are really clean (ie have nothing for them to feast on) they might leave?

I'd love to give the place a good scrub other than the daily once over , but it's finding the time and the other problem is my 6 month old hates the sound of the hoover- I have to wait till she's in bed. Maybe I should get a cleaner in for a 'deep clean'.

Wups - 2inches would certainly 'startle' me and require a great deal of self-control! I know this sounds ridiculous, but get a cat. We had one when I was younger, she was forever catching spiders, the bigger the better in her opinion! Just don't watch what she does with them, if you're at all squeamish.

BTW, it's not cleanliness that's the issue - spiders don't eat 'dirt' or crumbs like many bugs do. What they like is peace and quiet. If you regularly move furniture to hoover behind, dust top shelves, sweep ceilings etc, they will not like being disturbed and will not tend to make their homes with you.

I know spiders don't eat dirt! But they do eat the bugs which do - hence my suggestion for making sure it was all spotless!

I'm beginning to wonder if the previous owners weren't bothered by them and have allowed them to multiply. I do try to keep the place as clean as I can. Hoover living room every day, but not so regularly in other rooms. How often do other people clean?

I only hoover maybe 2 or 3 times a week! But I do sweep the kitchen floor in between. I'm not very clean but we hardly ever get spiders.

have to go now- needto feed the wee one.thanks to all for your chat and good advice

Do you live in an older house with proper floorboards (ie with a big gap under the ground floor, not a concrete floor). I think spiders like that sort of construction more than the modern solid floors. But then we live 5 floors up, and get batches of spiders every year.

2-3 times a week! My goodness, we only manage 2-3 times a month! But then I never could see te point of keeping the place spotless, and having two children is a marvelous excuse .

house is abt 10 years old- I just wish they would all go away.thanks again