Basement Nightmares: The Not So Itsy Bitsy Spiders

By:    |   Published October 27, 2015

Mary is a wife, mother, and entrepreneur who owns her own online retail business. On one particularly dark and stormy night in October, Mary finds herself home alone. Her husband is out of town on business, and her two children are sleeping over at a neighbor’s house. She finally gets some much needed alone time.

On this particular evening, Mary decides to pour her herself some tea and curls up on the couch with a good book. It’s cozy and peaceful. Suddenly, there’s a loud CRASH of thunder! Mary jumps, dropping her book and nearly spilling her cider. Her heart skips a beat as she races to the window and peels back the curtains. The rain cascades down the side of her house, slowly seeping deep into the ground.

She chuckles to herself. How silly of her to be scared of a little thunder and lightning. Mary retires to the couch, pulling a fuzzy blanket all the way up to her chin. Maybe a little TV will calm her nerves. She reaches for the remote but stops short. A small, black spider crawls past her hand and down the leg of her coffee table.

Spiders in the Basement? Eek!

Mary watches as the spider scurries through the living room, into the kitchen, and finally disappears under the basement door. If there’s one thing she can’t stand, it’s pests in her house. Mary grabs a shoe and opens the basement door. She slowly walks down stairs, making sure not to lose sight of the little arachnid.

When she reaches the basement, it’s pitch black! Mary feels along the wall, searching for the light switch. There it is. She flicks on the light….and a swarm of spiders descends from the ceiling! They’re everywhere. Mary jumps back in horror. She notices wet spots on the floor; her basement is starting to flood.

Could this be the reason for all the spiders?

Not-So-Itsy-Bitsy Spiders

This account is of course fiction, but it’s a common problem. Millions of homeowners deal with spiders in the basement. Not only do they dwell in basements, but also crawl spaces, bathrooms, and in other areas dark and damp areas of the home. Certain species of spiders like moisture and prefer to build their nest in quiet areas, which is why they’re attracted to the basement.

According to Orkin, a company specializing in pest control, “spiders commonly enter homes in two primary ways: entering through open, poorly screened windows and doors, and through cracks and gaps around door, window frames, and floor boards. Most of the time spiders come inside the home looking for prey. The other common method of entry is accidently hitchhiking inside boxes, on outdoor items, and numerous other things that are brought inside the home.”

Common Ways to Get Rid of Spiders

If you find that these little eight-legged creatures have found a way into your home, there are a few things you can do to combat the situation:

Keep Your Home Free of Clutter

Spiders love to hide. The more cluttered your home is, the happier they are. The basement is the most common place to store items like boxes, old magazines, and off-season clothes. Make sure to pick these items up off the basement floor and store them on a shelving unit. If you’ve been storing your items in cardboard boxes, consider transferring them to plastic totes with lids. Not only does this safely secure your items in case of flooding, but also, helps to keep the spiders out. (Check out this article for more tips: Conquer Basement Clutter with These Top 5 Spring Cleaning Tips)

Clean Your House

No one likes a dirty home; expect for spiders! Whip out that vacuum and start with the carpet. If you have hardwood floors, take a dry mop and sweep up all the dust and grime that’s tracked in from the outside. Next, take a duster and clean all the baseboards, light fixtures, and ceiling fans. Don’t forget to check under the bed! The space under your bed collects the most dust and is the perfect breeding ground for spiders. Make sure to keep that area spick and span.

Check Your Windows & Doors

Live in a drafty house? You may have areas around the windows and doors that aren’t sealed properly, which allows spiders to enter your home. If you notice cracks or holes in or around windows, make sure to seal them. Sealing up cracks is especially important in the basement. Also, make sure your exterior doors close tightly. Adjust latches and strike plates to ensure that they’re closed as tightly as possible.

Consider Natural Spider Repellent

Once you’ve decluttered your basement, swept up the dust, and sealed any cracks, it’s time to battle the spiders that are already inside your home. One way to do this is to use natural spider repellent. Natural repellents are preferable to ones with chemicals, especially if you have small children or animals.  Try this: mix a few drops of lavender, citrus, tea tree, or citronella oil with water. Spray in populated areas.

Avoid Basement Nightmares; Contact Team EverDry Today!

The only way to truly battle these pests is to eliminate water and moisture in your basement. It’s paramount in making your home inhospitable to all pests, especially spiders. By simply eliminating or reducing wetness in your basement, you can greatly diminish the likelihood of infestations by a plethora of insects including cockroaches, centipedes, millipedes, and crickets.

EverDry Toledo is dedicated to looking at every possible waterproofing solution to suit your particular circumstances. We offer:

  • Interior Waterproofing
  • Exterior Waterproofing
  • Multi-Step System
  • Foundation Replacement

We’re also here to provide you with tips and advice to help you better understand what’s going on with your foundation. Our highly trained team will do everything we can to help you create a safe, dry, and livable space in your basement. Schedule your free inspection or give us a call at (419) 841-6055 to get started!

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