Keep spiders out of refinished (rarely used) basement?
#1
09-16-21, 08:49 AM
Keep spiders out of refinished (rarely used) basement?
I refinished my basement into a studio / home theater about two years ago. I dont use the space often so it tends to attract tons of spiders and quite frankly they are making a mess of my unused space. I'm not looking to kill them, just would like to make the place less desirable for them to set up camp there.
I do have a dehumidifier running 24-7 on 65% but nothing else.
Any help is appreciated!
I do have a dehumidifier running 24-7 on 65% but nothing else.
Any help is appreciated!
Last edited by the_tow_guy; 09-17-21 at 05:02 AM.
#2
09-16-21, 09:04 AM
Member
The spiders you see roaming especially this time of year are most likely males looking for females. Females are rarely seen and are staying in the web/nest. Not sure, short of spider spray what you can do other than clean/vacuum on a weekly basis.
rufunky
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#3
09-16-21, 11:12 AM
The only thing that I know of to deter spiders is a reciprocating fan, most web-spinning spiders use a 'tripwire' and the breeze seems to annoy them with enough "false alarms" that they find a quieter environment.
Oddly enough, I'm in an old stone farmhouse, which means every spring we get lots of stinkbugs in the attic; I've actually 'kidnapped" a big yellow garden spider (the ones that spin 2-foot webs) and set her up in an attic window to get rid of the stinkbugs.
What was funny was the obviously annoyed spiders initial indignation at being relocated, but even funnier was seeing a web-spinning spider's reaction to a window-screen: you could actually see a reaction- "WOW what craftsmanship, that web is PERFECTLY woven...!?!"
Oddly enough, I'm in an old stone farmhouse, which means every spring we get lots of stinkbugs in the attic; I've actually 'kidnapped" a big yellow garden spider (the ones that spin 2-foot webs) and set her up in an attic window to get rid of the stinkbugs.
What was funny was the obviously annoyed spiders initial indignation at being relocated, but even funnier was seeing a web-spinning spider's reaction to a window-screen: you could actually see a reaction- "WOW what craftsmanship, that web is PERFECTLY woven...!?!"
rufunky
voted this post useful.
#4
09-16-21, 12:04 PM
They can live a long time without eating. I'm not optimistic about discouraging spiders that are already present. You might have to use an insecticide or glue traps.
If they are hunter/predators, meaning if they patrol the basement as opposed to webmakers, glue traps behind and under furniture will catch some. Insecticides for crawling insect will help, too. If they are webmakers, then they won't patrol so physical removal or spraying a residual insecticide around baseboards, ceiling/wall junction, under furniture, etc.
If they are hunter/predators, meaning if they patrol the basement as opposed to webmakers, glue traps behind and under furniture will catch some. Insecticides for crawling insect will help, too. If they are webmakers, then they won't patrol so physical removal or spraying a residual insecticide around baseboards, ceiling/wall junction, under furniture, etc.
rufunky
voted this post useful.
#5
09-16-21, 12:12 PM
"WOW what craftsmanship, that web is PERFECTLY woven...!?!"
I was reading Peppermint Oil will deter them. I wounder if running a diffuser down there would help. Or diluting some in a spray bottle..
#6
09-16-21, 12:16 PM
If they are webmakers, then they won't patrol so physical removal or spraying a residual insecticide around baseboards, ceiling/wall junction, under furniture, etc.
#7
09-16-21, 12:32 PM
Well, if you're trying to be "gentle"; I have collected ladybugs with a vacuum cleaner on lowest setting, using a sock or section of wife's discarded pantyhose in the vacuum tube, to "strain out" the ladybugs. (Ladybugs are great for garden aphid control and IIRC do fine hibernating in a jar in the fridge until you need them)
And, comically, they DO BITE. You want to let them settle down before transferring them.
And, comically, they DO BITE. You want to let them settle down before transferring them.
rufunky
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#8
09-17-21, 04:45 AM
I've never known or learned of a spider repellent that isn't insecticide based. I would think that physically cleaning/removing them over a period of time would get you ahead of the life cycle at some point.
rufunky
voted this post useful.
