Spiders are invading!

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We moved into a log cabin last year and have had an ongoing problem with spiders. I don't mind a few spiders but this has gotten out of hand. Does anyone know a non-chemical method of discouraging them?

-- Bonnie (stichart@plix.com), March 17, 2001

Answers

I have heard that bruised osage orange fruit can be placed every 6" to 12" around the house perimeter. My grandmother kept these around her root cellar.

-- Lynn (lynnannmb@hotmail.com), March 18, 2001.

Several garden catalogs sell a "spider deterrent" that prevents them from webbing where the stuff is prayed. My guess is that it is basically a silicone spray and that if it isn't, it should work anyway. Spray where they like to nest, and it will keep the stuff from sticking. Should keep the numbers lower. If they are wolf-type spders (lone hunter types that don't do much web spinning, then I would suggest cats. Mine seem to have a facination with spiders, especially the big, brown garden spiders. Sort of like "fast food"?

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), March 18, 2001.

I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE PEST PEOPLE THAT THEY USE 1/2 PART VINAGER AND 1/2 PART WATER. I THINK IT HAS TO BE SPRAYED DIRECTLY ON THE SPIDERS TO WORK.

-- JERRY TRAVIS (travis938@excite.com), March 19, 2001.

Sprinkle food grade Diatomaceous Earth wherever the problem is. Any insect that crawls thru it is a gonner! They'll be gone overnight. If you know where they're getting in, sprinkle that area, too.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), March 19, 2001.

I would recommend the sticky traps. We put them in the basement and catch all sorts of critters, even a scorpion. My daughter uses them in her house and is convinced she has caught some brown recluse spiders.

-- Rita Glyn-Jones (Felfoot@twlakes.net), March 19, 2001.


We actaully don't see the spiders themselves, our problems are webs! Power washing could really be done on a weekly basis. Don't waste your money on the "new" additive for paint that is supposed to stop this and other insects! Phooey! We have tiny little bitty webs in every nail, screw, or natural hole in our wood house! What makes it worse is that the barn stays much cleaner inside than the outside of our house does! I hate the thought of spraying an insectiside on the outside of the house, since I have asthma. Perhaps if I really did power wash the house every weekend this summer, they would leave and go elsewhere? Keep me posted on what you find that works! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 19, 2001.

An old spider deterant is hanging golden rod in bunches, like under stairways, and such. Also... mothballs/moth crystals. I BELIEVE that the herb Rue also works to deter them....but don't quote me, as I don't QUITE remember on that one.

You can also sprinkle Peppermint/Spearmint/Wintergreen extract in your doorways to discourage insects and arachnids from entering. I know that works. I have also heard that pouring a line of sea salt helps deter them....

I'll look in my herb books and see if anything else helps.

Sarah

-- Sarah Wilde (gilded_lily_1@yahoo.com), March 20, 2001.


If you have a friend who's a smoker, or you smoke, take the tobacco out of a couple cigarettes, boil it in about 2 quarts of water with cayenne and garlic powder (do this OUTSIDE!!!!). Then let cool. Add some dish soap, and put around the foundation of the house. It works on spiders, ants, earwigs (YEAH!!!) and a host of other pests. Once it is dry, it will not poison dogs, cats, etc. But, it DOES stink till it dries....

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), March 20, 2001.

Thanks, everybody, for the suggestions. Dh doesn't like cats in the house, but I'm going to try the diatomaeus(sp?) earth and the tobacco recipe - soon as I find a smoker to bum some cigarettes from! Storybook Farm is going to send me some osage oranges in the fall. At least one of these should work and it will probably help our summer carpenter ant problem, too. Thanks again and God bless!

-- Bonnie (stichart@plix.com), March 21, 2001.

The west side, back door area of my mother's house has been plagued by spiders for years but, last year, they were brought under control by the emergence of some lovely little creatures called Enola, common in the deep South of the usA. They are chameleons, changing from brown to green, and eat the spiders. Only problem is having to be careful going in and out of the door as they have a tendency to bolt and get in where the door closes with resultant squished lizard.

Iron Man

-- Iron Man (lecapra8@centurytel.net), March 22, 2001.



If you've got that many spiders, I would be concerned about what they are feeding on. In my experience, they only stay where they have plenty of food...Jer

-- Jer (neljer@txcyber.com), March 22, 2001.

We had several spiders in our basement and then centipedes started showing up and most of our spiders are gone. Someone told me that the centipeds eat the spiders. Although - I don't know know which is worse. At least the webs starting going away.

-- Angie (abrock69@yahoo.com), July 22, 2001.

Hi, If you want some osage orange balls, I'll send them to you. just e-mail me with address. Trees are everywhere here. they are green right now. If your planting trees, keep them away from animals, cattle, goats,sheep,etc. sometimes when they chew them,if they get a big piece, could choke. Also has nasty thorns. just a little info I've learned sence moving here.

-- Lexi Green (whitestone11@hotmail.com), July 23, 2001.

Anybody try those electronic gadgets that plug in and emit supersonic sound beyond human hearing? We're starting to get black widows here and I want them out fast. I got a catalog from Heartland that sells them for about $30 each and I'm going to order a few for around the house. AJ (rangepal@home.com) Phoenix

-- AJ Sawyer (rangepal@home.com), September 21, 2001.

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