One thing was sure: I needed an eco-friendly mosquito repellent for the yard that wasn’t going to harm me, my pets or the pollinators. Bees and butterflies are important to me, but the bugs that really bugged me simply had to go.

To protect myself, I resorted to wearing long sleeves, jeans, hats, and rubber boots up to my knees. As the summer temperatures rose, I knew this wasn’t sustainable and I needed to find a solution to my bug problem. This is where the Wonderside Flea and Tick Spray comes in the picture. 

What is Wondercide Flea & Tick Spray

Wondercide Spray kills and repels ants, fleas, ticks and mosquitos at every lifecycle stage. This yard spray also takes care of Japanese beetles, crickets and gnats without using harmful chemicals.

When you’re ready to use the eco-friendly Wondercide Spray, simply attach the nozzle to your garden hose. You’ll quickly cover 5000 square feet without having to wait for a re-entry period. It’s safe and non-toxic to wildlife, humans, pets, bees, and butterflies.

I love that a few women in Texas were on a mission to find a pet-safe alternative to the devastating side effects of pesticide exposure. They were invited to pitch their product on Shark Tank and now it’s available to us! 

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Wondercide Outdoor Pest Control Product Features

Wondercide Spray is a safe and natural product that won’t harm the environment, pets or people. It’s so safe that you can spray and play without any waiting time.

Wondercide also makes indoor pest control spray and personal insect repellent in four different scents; cedarwood, lemongrass, rosemary and my favorite, peppermint. Plus, the brand has tested their products for efficacy and they are on-par with conventional insect repellents.

The product is safe to use around lakes, ponds and creeks, but tuck your chickens in while you spray to protect their sensitive respiratory systems.

How We Tested It

The first time I ordered Wondercide Yard Spray, I also ordered sample sizes of the people and pet insect repellent as well as a bar of dog shampoo. 

As soon as the products arrived, I was chomping at the bit to try them out. Following the directions, I sprayed my entire lawn and the side of my house, including the window wells where spiders like to spin their webs. Per the instructions, I sprayed again a few days later. 

Good-bye tall boots and long pants and hello flip-flops and shorts! With a healthy coating of Wondercide Spray on my lawn, I could finally enjoy summer pest-free.

The real test, however, was at my lake cottage where the mosquitos constantly swarm. I was certain they were breeding in a massive colony under my shady deck. After spraying the Wondercide Spray, we were able to enjoy dinner on the deck without being bitten. Again, we repeated the process a few days later to take care of any stragglers, and once every month thereafter. We were impressed with the long-term results, and will continue to use the product to keep pests at bay. 

The sprayer covers a wide area, so treating your yard is fast and easy. Since it is recommended to avoid spraying while pollinators are active, I usually steer clear of the gardens and flower beds. Even though Wondercide is food-grade, I avoid the vegetable garden as a precaution.

For best results, be sure to use the product as directed, starting with two applications a few days apart. Avoid treating the area before rain, as this is a water soluble biodegradable product.

Pros

• Natural ingredients
• Repels and kills mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, gnats, chiggers, fruit flies and Japanese beetles
• Environmentally friendly
• Safe for pets, humans and pollinators
• Ready-to-use spray applicator attaches to a hose
• Quick and easy to use
• Fast results
• Immediately safe to walk on
• Smells great
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Several applications are needed

FAQ

How do I get rid of mosquitoes in my yard without harming pets?

To get rid of pests without harming pets, avoid chemical formulas with toxic ingredients. Using a natural product like Wondercide is the best option. If you’re unsure if a product is okay to use around pets, please consult with your veterinarian before using it.

Is there a lawn spray that is safe for bees and butterflies?

Yes, there is a lawn spray that is safe for bees and butterflies. The Wondercide Flea and Tick Spray does not harm birds, bees or butterflies. However, caution should be taken to avoid spraying while pollinators are active.

Can I spray my own yard for ticks?

Yes, you can spray your own yard for ticks. It is a cost-effective alternative to using a commercial pest control company. Most commercial pest control companies charge hundreds of dollars to treat your property. These companies are licensed to use toxic chemicals, which effectively kills mosquitoes and ticks.

However, these chemicals may pose a hazard to pollinators and pets. If you decide to spray your yard yourself, you’ll be able to pick a spray that meets your needs without breaking the bank or harming animals.

What Amazon Reviewers Had to Say

Jessica Seely reviewed Wondercide on Amazon saying, “I live in FL and bought this right before hurricane Ian to try to help with bugs because as I said…Florida. But THANKFULLY I waited till after the storm because we and everyone around has standing water in their yard. ABSOLUTE breeding ground for bugs. Felt very plague-ish, So yes I used double the amount needed but IT WORKS, maybe I didn’t need to go hog crazy but I am so happy with it, even having it on repeat order.”

“Works great on mosquitoes,” says SP, a verified Amazon customer. “We have a 1500 sq ft backyard with a swamp behind the yard. We get tons of black flies and mosquitoes after the sun goes behind the woods. We didn’t want to use any dangerous chemicals as we have a 7-yr old often playing in the yard. Wondericide worked amazingly. Sprayed only on the plants just beyond our yard and that itself was sufficient. For the first time in 4 years since we have been here, we were outside sitting on the garden bench after sunset.”

Michelle gave the Wondercide spray five stars saying, “This is the best product I have ever bought. I was skeptical about trying this but I’m so very happy that I did. I have 3 dogs and 1 cat and none of them have had a single flea or tick. It’s so much safer and cheaper than going to the vet for medicine for the fleas and ticks. I will definitely be buying this product again guaranteed”

Product Comparison Mosquito Repellent for Yard

You can find different types of pest repellents like sprays, candles, plants and ultrasonic devices that may help get rid of insects. However, a spray is the best option to treat the entire yard, especially if you have a lot of ground to cover.

Concerned about being eco-friendly? Wondercide encourages reusing the sturdy plastic spray bottle that the repellent comes in. Admittedly, I accumulated five empty bottles before I bought the concentrate and refilled the sprayers. I decided to bite the bullet and purchased the big 128-ounce concentrate, which lasted me through the summer and beyond.

To get started, consider buying the Refill Starter Kit bundle with the ready-to-use reusable applicator and the 16-ounce concentrate. This will give you three treatments and cover up to 5000 square feet. 

Want to save money? Shop for concentrates and bundles, or take advantage of the Chewy and Wondercide auto-ship plans.

Final Verdict

The Wondercide Spray isn’t just a mosquito repellent for your yard—it protects the entire family (including pets).

True confession: I am a Wondercide junkie. I keep a stash of my beloved spray tucked away in my basement (if you couldn’t tell by the many empty bottles in the cover image). With the help of this spray, I haven’t seen a spider in my house in a while, and I’m not afraid to show skin in the backyard. Plus, my gardens are buzzing with bees and butterflies, and the organic vegetables and flowers are thriving. You don’t have to compromise to get proper protection for your yard.

Where to Buy the Wondercide Flea and Tick Spray

I highly recommend Wondercide Flea and Tick Spray to eradicate pesky bugs in your yard. Test my favorite Wondercide product for yourself by purchasing it at retailers like Wondercide, Chewy and Walmart.

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American House Spiders

Spinning their sticky webs in shadowy corners to capture mosquitoes, flies, wasps and cockroaches, the American house spider (aka common house spider) is more friend than foe.

What they look like: The word “common” is apropos when describing these unremarkable spiders. The colors of their globular bodies fall along the “drab” spectrum (from yellowish gray to brown to black), with streaks or mottled markings and darker-ringed legs. Females (the ones you see hanging in webs) are 3/16- to 5/16-in. long, and males generally a bit smaller.

Where to find them: There are about 230 species in this family throughout the U.S. and Canada. They cling to garage or barn doors, and hang between window panes or behind doors. Outdoors, they live in hollowed-out logs, shed eaves and solid, sheltered places.

What to do if you see one: Unless you suffer from arachnophobia or think you have an infestation, the common house spider is harmless, so just let them be.

How to prevent them: Seal cracks and other entry points around the outside of the house.

Spiders are complex creatures that are often misunderstood. Prolific hunters, they eat bugs around the house and control agricultural pests without harming crops.

Some spiders weave beautiful webs and provide color to our backyards and gardens. A few species are venomous to humans. But for the most part, they leave people alone to carry on their spider business.

Still, they’re a little creepy. They’re also everywhere, including our homes. In a recent study, researchers at North Carolina State University found spiders in 100 percent of homes surveyed and nearly 80 percent of all rooms. Great!

If you’re like me, you ignore them and hope for the best. I can’t bring myself to kill spiders; anything that eats mosquitoes is a friend of mine. But most people prefer they not come into the house at all. That might take some doing, as many common house spiders have been living indoors since the Roman Empire.

But you can take steps to prevent outdoor spiders from entering your home, and minimize the likelihood of house spiders invading your personal space. We talked to an expert entomologist to find out why spiders are in your home, and what you can do to stop them.

Why Do Spiders Enter Homes?

“Spiders enter for the same reason we do: food, water and shelter,” says Michael Thome, an associate certified entomologist with Ehrlich Pest Control. Some wander in from outside, but many are different species of house spiders that live indoors for their entire life cycle.

Here are the primary reasons spiders take up residence in your home:

• Food: Spiders are carnivores and eat flies, mosquitoes, ants, roaches and other common household pests.
• Water: Some spiders love damp areas of your home like crawlspaces and bathrooms, but all spiders need water.
• Shelter: Dusty attic corners or stacks of boxes in your basement provide great cover for spiders. Find out how to get rid of spiders in your basement.

Homeowners usually notice an uptick in spiders in the fall, but Thome says that’s not when they enter the house. Spiders hatch inside in the spring, and by fall the young are large enough to look for a mate. That’s when we tend to see them inside, though they’ve been there awhile.

How Do Spiders Get Into Homes?

Spiders gain entry two ways, Thome says. First, they just walk right in. Second, they hitchhike.

Here are some specific ways spiders enter your house:

• Gaps and cracks in your home’s foundation or masonry facade;
• Open windows and doors;
• Torn window and door screens;
• Openings around pipes, vents and ductwork;
• Clothing, firewood, toys, plants, camping gear — anything that’s been outside that you brought inside;
• Building materials and furniture shipped in commerce.

How To Keep Spiders From Entering Your Home

When it comes to pest control strategies, sometimes the best offense is a strong defense, as the old saying goes. Spiders are considered opportunistic predators; they’ll set up shop when they find a place that fulfills their basic needs. Make sure that place isn’t your home.

Thome suggests fixing the following issues:

• Seal cracks and holes in your foundation and masonry;
• Replace torn or damaged window and door screens;
• Install door sweeps and weatherstripping around windows;
• Make sure doors and windows close properly;
• Reduce clutter and keep the inside of your home clean, including attics, basements and crawl spaces;
• Turn off outside lights at night. Flying insects love lights, and spiders love insects;
• Inspect things that have been outside, and sweep off spiders or webs before bringing them inside.

Most of the time, people and spiders live harmoniously inside together. If spiders are becoming a nuisance, try these DIY solutions first. Spiders can often be discouraged with a few key changes around the house. If you have an infestation, it might be time to call a professional.

If it’s a wolf spider, there’s no reason for concern. That’s according to Michael Thome, an associate certified entomologist with Western Exterminator.

“They’re scary looking, but they really won’t bother you unless you bother them,” he says.

How do you know if you saw a wolf spider and not something else?

What Are Wolf Spiders?

Wolf spiders are generally large and fast creatures that ambush and chase down their prey rather than build a web to catch them. They belong to a family of spiders called Lycosidae; Lycos means “wolf” in Greek. More than 2,400 species of wolf spiders have been identified.

They got their name because, like wolves, they’re fast, agile hunters. But unlike wolves, Thome says, wolf spiders are solitary and do not hunt in packs.

Wolf spiders are also highly maternal. Female wolf spiders attach their egg sac to their abdomen and carry it around during incubation. Once the hatched “spiderlings” emerge, they climb up onto the mother’s back for several days until they’re old enough to hunt on their own.

And we’re not talking just a few baby spiders. Thome says one mother could care for more than a hundred spiderlings this way. She may even carry an abandoned wolf spider’s egg sac and treat it like her own.

What Do Wolf Spiders Look Like?

Wolf spiders are usually brown, black or gray with black or brown stripes. Depending on the habitat, they also can be orange or tan. They’re also hairy, leading some people to confuse them with tarantulas.

They’re not as big as tarantulas, though. Most wolf spiders measure a quarter-inch to just over one inch long, not including the legs. The largest wolf spider in the U.S. is the Carolina wolf spider, Hogna carolinensis, which despite its name can be found all over the country.

Wolf spiders have excellent eyesight, which is why they’re such good hunters. They have three rows of eyes — four small eyes on the bottom row, two giant eyes in the middle, and two medium-sized ones on the top and a little to the side.

The brown recluse is also often confused with the wolf spider, but each has distinct characteristics. The brown recluse, or “fiddleback,” can have a violin-shaped mark on its cephalothorax (the front part of the body). But brown recluses are more easily distinguished from wolf spiders by the number of eyes. They have six instead of eight.

What Do Wolf Spiders Eat?

Wolf spiders mainly eat ground-dwelling insects and other spiders. They tend to hunt at night, either leaving their burrow or hiding place and stalking their prey or lying in wait and pouncing when an unsuspecting insect walks by. Some wolf spiders can take on insects larger than they are, and even small amphibians.

Do Wolf Spiders Bite?

Yes, but only if threatened or trapped against the skin. Wolf spider venom isn’t poisonous to humans. The bite can be painful, but Thome says “no serious medical concerns arise from their bite.”

Luckily, wolf spiders prefer a solitary existence and aren’t aggressive toward humans.

Where Do Wolf Spiders Live?

Wolf spiders are found worldwide. They like grassy areas like meadows and fields, but with so many species in so many places, their habitat can vary. There’s even an eyeless species that lives in caves in Hawaii. They’ll live where they can find a consistent food source.

You may see wolf spider burrows in your yard, or while walking through a grassy field. Look for a spider-sized hole in the ground at the entrance. Other species live above ground their entire lives. Sheds, woodpiles and piles of leaves can also provide attractive habitat for wolf spiders.

Wolf spiders prefer to be outside, Thome says, even if you see them occasionally in your basement or crawl space.

Are Wolf Spiders Dangerous or Beneficial?

Beneficial. Wolf spiders eat ground-dwelling insects and other spiders, including crop pests. They aren’t dangerous to humans but can be a little scary.

Before you squash one, remember: A wolf spider could be carrying hundreds of her spiderlings, and that’s a situation best avoided.

How To Get Rid of Wolf Spiders

Controlling wolf spiders outside your home isn’t necessary, Thome says.

If you see them inside your house, put down glue traps to catch them. They don’t generally breed indoors, so if you see one in your basement, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have an infestation.

If you’re up to it, trap them in a jar and deposit them outside.

How To Prevent Wolf Spiders

Thome says sealing gaps and cracks in your exterior walls is the best way to keep them out of your house. Keeping leaf litter swept and not piled up against your foundation will help, too.

Since they hunt and eat insects, any place that might harbor a food source next to your home should be kept clean and decluttered, so wolf spiders won’t want to take up residence there.

If you see wolf spiders outside, it’s best to leave them alone. If you’re uncomfortable seeing them indoors, a pest control expert can spray the exterior of your house to discourage them and inspect for likely means of entry.

Dr. Andrew Davis and graduate student Benjamin Frick, ecologists from the University of Georgia, sparked the attention with their study of the jorō, which suggested the spider is migrating northward. The jorō’s giant size, ability to balloon through the wind and build webs roughly the width of a Mack truck helped fuel the fascination.

Here’s what you need to know about this invasive spider.

What Is a Jorō Spider?

It’s an arachnid belonging to the Trichonephila family of spiders. E. Richard Hoebeke, associate curator at the UGA Collection of Arthropods, Georgia Museum of Natural History, says the jorō is endemic to southeast Asia, most commonly in China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and India.

As with many invasive species, it’s believed the jorō made its way across the ocean on container ships or cargo planes. Domestically, they can hitch a ride on the bottom of a car or tuck themselves snugly inside a suitcase, potentially spreading near and far.

The University of Georgia study’s research suggests the jorō’s high metabolism and heart rates, along with their ability to tolerate frostier conditions, aided its migration northward.

What Does a Jorō Spider Look Like?

According to Matthew H. Persons, a behavioral ecologist and professor of biology at Susquehanna University who studied spiders for more than 30 years, the jorō spider is easily identifiable by its size (it can stretch up to three inches across) and gold-colored silk.

“The yellow body and bluish-green stripes and red make it fairly distinctive as well,” Persons says.

Is the Jorō Spider Poisonous?

All spiders are venomous, Hoebeke says, but not all are poisonous. “They use that venom to subdue their prey,” he says. “I do not consider the jorō spider poisonous, but I am aware of a few reported incidences of a jorō biting a human.”

Even so, the jorō is considered less aggressive than many spiders half their size, and harmless to humans and pets. Even if one were to bite you — which is unlikely — their fangs are not long enough to deeply pierce the skin.

Persons believes the frequency of spider bites has been grossly overstated. “As someone who has handled well over 50,000 spiders in my life, I’ve been bitten exactly once,” he says. “And it was specifically to demonstrate how hard it is to get a spider to bite.”

How Does a Jorō Spider Impact My Yard and Garden?

They’re actually good for them. Jorōs are great predators of the insects humans often cannot tolerate, such as mosquitoes, stink bugs and other exotic pests. “I personally have seen stink bugs, bees, wasps, butterflies, cicadas, grasshoppers and lady beetles captured in their webs,” Hoebeke says.

Just keep a lookout so you can avoid accidentally walking into the giant golden-yellow webs.

How To Get Rid of Jorō Spiders

Although further research is needed, experts believe there’s no reason to kill a jorō spider that has taken up residence in your yard or garden. What’s more, killing them could present a challenge.

“Many web-building spiders are difficult to get rid of since they remain suspended in a web, and often away from pesticide-sprayed surfaces, unless you are spraying them directly,” Persons says.

Hoebeke agrees the exercise will likely prove futile. “Don’t waste your time trying to kill them, because they will come back,” he says.

How To Prevent Jorō Spiders

One potential way is by removing their food source. But that’s easier said than done, given the variety of bugs commonly found throughout gardens and yards. As the population continues to broaden, there doesn’t seem to be any way to stop the jorō spider.

“We need to learn to live with them,” Hoebeke says. “Since it is beneficial in that it feeds on other arthropods, I say simply leave them alone.”

From weavers or hunters, here’s what you need to know about spiders in and around your house and yard.

How To Identify Spiders

One of the simplest ways to determine whether a bug is an insect or a spider is to count their leg segments. Insects have three pairs of legs (six total), while spiders have four pair (eight total).

What Are Spiders?

Spiders are land arthropods of the Class Arachnida (a.k.a. arachnids).

Although there are a few kinds of spiders that pose a poison threat (black widow and brown recluse), most spiders provide a natural, non-toxic pest control service by feeding on unwanted insects that damage crops and plants (aphids and beetles) or carry diseases (cockroaches and mosquitoes).

What Do Spiders Look Like?

Common house spiders range in color from light tan to deep black and measure between 5/16- to 1/8-in. long (leg span).

Although different types of spiders have their own qualities, the traits all spiders share are:

• Two body parts;
• Unsegmented abdomens;
• Fangs to inject venom;
• Spinnerets;
• No wings or antennae.

Some characteristics that differ among spiders include:

• Eye arrangements;
• Sensory hairs;
• Spines;
• Claws at ends of legs.

Types of Spiders

Of the more than 45,000 known spiders on our planet, there are upwards of 3,400 species making their homes in North America.

You don’t have to be an entomologist to be good at identifying them. The USA Spider Identification Chart, prepared by the University of Idaho, provides a spider blueprint of clear illustrations, descriptions, habitats and venom toxicities of spiders that dwell in the U.S.

Spider Behaviors

Spiders are predatory creatures who kill and eat their prey. The way they go about it, however, depends on the kind of spider we’re talking about.

Weaver Spiders

Weaver spiders spin sticky cobwebs to trap flying and crawling insects. Nearly half of spider species produce and use webs to subdue their prey.

Hunter Spiders

As mentioned above, all spiders have spinnerets to make silk, but not all use it to spin webs. Hunters prefer to chase down and overtake their victims. Once in their clutches, they inject venom into the victims’ bodies to finish them off. The wolf spider takes a slightly different tack, staking out its prey and ambushing them.

What Do Spiders Eat?

Almost exclusively carnivorous, spiders are not picky eaters — they’ll dine on every kind of household pest including, but not limited to, flies, ants, moths, roaches, mosquitoes and bed bugs. They also eat other spiders. Cannibals!

Spider Environments

Spiders are comfortable living in wetlands, arid deserts and urban cityscapes. Some burrow into the ground, while others float on the surface of water. Some like to hide beneath rocks and woodpiles or in musty cellars and basements. Their favorite spot, however, is in your lush backyard garden.

Where Do Spiders Live?

From African savannas to tropical rainforests, spiders can be found everywhere. Exceptions are at the highest elevations, on frozen tundra and in the ocean.

Spiders in the House and Yard

Preferring the great outdoors, spiders will head indoors when the weather turns cold.

Signs of Spiders

Hot spots for spiders include beneath clutter in your attic or under empty flower pots, furniture and welcome mats — anywhere that’s dark and dank. Besides the obvious (cobwebs), look for egg sacs and an increase in insects, and sightings of spiders themselves.

Spider Pest Control

Averting a spider infestation may be easier than you think. Spiders, unlike ants, are not particularly social beings, so finding one in your home doesn’t necessarily mean there are more in hiding. Try to stay calm and take the following DIY steps to prevent spiders from moving in:

• Cut back vegetation near your home;
• Keep windows and doors closed;
• Seal cracks and gaps;
• Spread essential oils such as peppermint and tea tree around;
• Plant chrysanthemums, which contain pyrethrins, a natural pesticide.

If you want to get rid of spiders:

• Kill on sight;
• Spray exterior with residual pesticides;
• Use sticky traps;
• Clean away cobwebs;
• Catch ’em and toss ’em in the garden.

Spider Infestations

Once egg sacs are found, eliminating them before they hatch is “clutch” because once those babies are born, your infestation will increase exponentially. This might be a good time to get a professional exterminator involved.

Spider Safety and Concerns

Except for a few poisonous types, the average garden-variety spider is not hazardous to your health. In fact, the chance of being attacked or bitten by a spider is pretty low.

In the unlikely event you do get bitten, most spiders deliver extremely low levels of poison that will cause little or no damage. In rare cases, one could experience severe symptoms such as sweating, difficulty breathing, headache, nausea or fever. If this happens, seek medical attention immediately!

For the majority of household and garden-variety spiders, nips are unusual, often occurring in self-defense. They typically cause only mild reactions such as:

• Itching or rash;
• Pain radiating from site of bite;
• Reddish to purplish color or blister.

More severe symptoms could include:

• Sweating;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Headache, nausea and vomiting;
• Fever and chills;
• Anxiety or restlessness;
• High blood pressure.

Note: If you are experiencing any of the above, seek emergency medical care.

Are Spiders Dangerous To People?

They can be.

A spider’s venom is designed to shoot insects and other small animals with poisons that paralyze them so the spider can eat them. Humans are quite a bit bigger than spiders, of course, so the damage done if they break the skin is generally minor.

And what about spiders as disease vectors? A study by the University of California, Riverside ruled out spiders as a cause of bacterial infections in humans.

All this doesn’t mean people don’t die from spider bites, but such instances are rare.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two kinds of poisonous spiders found in North America are dangerous to humans: The black widow and the brown recluse (a.k.a. violin spider). A stick from either of these long-legged arthropods can be painful and potentially lethal, particularly to those with allergies. Immediate medical attention is recommended.

Are Spiders Dangerous To Pets?

Spiders pose the same risk to pets as they do to humans. But since dogs and cats weigh less than most humans, a bite by a black widow or a brown recluse can be 15 times more powerful. If your pet displays symptoms such as muscle paralysis, vomiting, diarrhea and/or tremors, get them to the vet right away!

Pro Tip: If your pet eats a poisonous spider, stomach acids will probably neutralize the toxins. Keep a close eye on them for a day or two and call the vet if your pet shows signs of illness.

Do Spiders Damage Homes and Yards?

Other than spreading creepy cobwebs, spiders don’t damage structures. In the garden, spiders feast on bugs that feast on plants. They are the leading predator of insects, providing an important service to our ecosystem.

Says Ron Crawford, resident spider expert at the Burke Museum in Seattle: “If someone who was an arachnophobe could wave their magic wand and make all spiders disappear, it wouldn’t be long before all human agriculture would be impossible, and our species and most other non-insect invertebrates might very well go instinct.”

What To Do If You Have Spiders

Unlike ants and bees, who gather in colonies and work as a team to infest your home, spiders are individualists who prefer to work alone.

One of the best ways to prevent spiders from overtaking your space is to get rid of them as you see them. It sounds daunting, but the most effective way to control them is to make a preemptive strike. Remove them before they have a chance to lay eggs that will hatch into a “clutter” of spiders.

Other ways to stop spiders from encroaching on your home and property:

• Clean away cobwebs regularly.
• Vacuum carpets, corners and cracks thoroughly.
• Seal entryways into your home.
• Spray a mixture of water and natural essential oils known to repel spiders. Peppermint, especially, has been proven effective.
• Use commercial repellents, traps or pesticides.

Good Bugs For Your Garden

Predatory Beetles and Bugs

Among the hundreds of thousands of species in the Coleoptera (beetles) and Hemiptera (true bugs) insect orders are many predatory creatures which dine on their plant-eating kin. Tiger, soldier, ground and ladybird beetles, along with assassin and pirate bugs, are just a few you should welcome to your garden.

Bees, Wasps and Ants

All bee species are important pollinators, which are largely responsible for the seeds, nuts, berries, fruits and other plant foods that form the bottom of the food chain for people and wildlife. So don’t be so quick to shoo them away. Welcome wasps and ants as well. Avid predators, they’re constantly patrolling, picking your garden clean of pests. These are 10 bee-friendly plants you can add to your backyard.

Caterpillars

Butterflies and moths are attractive; they’re also important pollinators. Even better, caterpillars attract birds. More than 95 percent of backyard birds rely on caterpillars as a primary food for their young. Attracting these insects to your garden essentially means attracting more birds. You might be able to find any one of these eight caterpillars in your backyard.

Spiders

These arachnids are some of the most helpful garden invertebrates, but they’re also among the most maligned. All spiders are predatory and feed on insects, whether they hunt using skillfully woven webs (argiope and orb-weaver spiders), by ambush (tarantulas and trap-door spiders) or by stalking (wolf and jumping spiders). Here’s another reason why you might not want to kill a spider.

Dragonflies and Damselflies

These aerial acrobats are a double threat. In their adult phase, they feed on all manner of flying insects, from mosquitoes to biting flies and gnats. But their aquatic larvae are no slouches either, devouring the larvae of the same pests. Learn more about the enchanting nature of dragonflies.

How to Attract Good Bugs to Your Garden

Now that you know some of the good bugs for your garden, what can you do to attract them? First of all, plant native species, which can support 60 percent more native insects than some of the more exotic ornamentals. Second, don’t be too tidy. A natural garden design will provide hiding and hibernation spots, as well as food and places to nest.

Finally, stop using pesticides. This can be tough if you rely on them regularly, but they kill beneficial insects along with the ones you don’t want. And in the long run they disrupt the natural order, increasing the likelihood of overall pest problems.

Three Bugs You Don’t Want in Your Garden

Mosquitoes

Not only do mosquitoes leave itchy welts when they bite, they spread diseases. Eliminate stagnant water in your yard where mosquitoes breed (clogged gutters are a common culprit) and wear insect repellent. Try these tricks to repel mosquitos.

Fire Ants

These exotic ants were introduced to Alabama almost a century ago and have been proliferating ever since. They have an extremely painful sting and are displacing many native ant species. Avoid their large mounds, or call a professional exterminator to eliminate them in your yard. These are 14 bugs you didn’t know could bite you.

Ticks

These parasitic arachnids spread diseases and are especially problematic in areas with large deer populations. Avoid areas of tall grass where ticks lie in wait. Mow pathways in your garden, wear long pants tucked into socks, and check yourself and pets after outdoor time. Try these tips to protect yourself against ticks.

Finding a spider in your car can be an uncomfortable experience. When it continues to happen, it becomes an alarming reality. The last thing you want is to make your driving experience a frightening one, which is why you should tackle the problem immediately.

Arachnids in your vehicle can make you never want to drive again, but getting rid of them is actually quite easy! First, you’ll want to identify where the spiders are coming from. They like to hide in warm and sheltered places, so you’ll likely find them tucked behind your side-view mirrors and in your air vents. They may also be taking up residence under your hood, away from your engine, gathering in things like leaves.

Be sure to clean out all nooks and crannies thoroughly. And then, because spiders despise the smell of lemon, you can use that as a leave-on repellent. Here’s the formula: Five drops of lemon essential oil, five drops of dish washing liquid, one quart of water. Put all three ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well.

Spray the mixture on cobwebs, and around doors and windows. You can also place some of the essential oil on a cloth and swab your air vents with it. And if you find the spiders are following you into your home, here’s how to keep them out of the house.

The last thing you want to see when you turn on the light in the bathroom late at night is a spider in the middle of the floor. Also, it can make your skin crawl to watch one scurry across the bedroom floor and hide under a dresser before you can get to it.

If there’s one spider, that means there are likely plenty more. That’s not such a bad thing as spiders kill other pests in your home, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you want them anywhere near you.

There is an easy solution to repel spiders in areas of the home where you don’t want them, and that solution is: hedge apples. The natural chemicals in this funky-looking fruit of the Osage orange tree are believed to deter spiders and other pests.

When using hedge apples as a spider repellent, just make sure they are placed in areas where pets and family members can’t get at them.

Simply place a few hedge apples in areas where you want to repel spiders such as in the dark corners of your unfinished basement, in the attic or in your backyard shed.

Though, research from Iowa State University suggests it isn’t spiders this wives’ tale works on. German cockroaches, mosquitoes, and houseflies to be specific.  The study states, “sliced hedge apples placed in enclosed, small spaces did repel insects. However, there is still no evidence that putting whole fruit around the house or in the basement will have any effect on insect pests.”

While the jury is out on the effectiveness of hedge apples against spiders specifically, we’ll try anything to make our home less creepy-crawly. For the future, it’s better to learn how to keep spiders out in the first place.

Centipedes

Centipedes don’t build nests, but they do prey on other household bugs such as spiders and ants, so never squish a centipede in your home. The best way to get rid of centipedes is to get rid of the household bugs they prey on. Do this by sealing off any cracks where pests enter your home, clean up food sources and make sure there isn’t excess moisture that many books seek out.

Think you’ve mastered how to get rid of spiders? Well, there’s something you need to know: Spiders aren’t just a nuisance for your home—they love to hang out in your car, too.

In a news report with CBS DFW, two reporters relayed the story of a not-so-friendly visitor an Australian woman had while commuting home one evening. One night while on the road, she looked up to find an enormous spider perched on the ceiling of her car. Afraid to make the spider move, the woman decided to drive the rest of her 20-minute commute before slipping out of her car. Once she was out, she locked the door and left the spider in there. But the next day when she returned to kill the spider, it had completely vanished.

After showing viewers the shocking video, one of the anchors asked the question, “how do you really kill that?” A few seconds of banter took place, and they moved on to the next topic. The anchor makes a solid point, and fortunately enough, there’s a way to kill the spider that doesn’t require you to smack the inside of your car with your shoe.

How spiders enter your car

In colder months, spiders like to hang out inside the edges of the doors and in the rail near the windows. Researchers have stated that spiders are disturbed by the vibrations cars can give off, which is why they move from their hideaways to smoother spots—such as a steering wheel, or the car’s ceiling—when you start driving.

Spiders can easily get in your car through the cracks in your hood. They find places to make a home within your vehicle, where there are damp and warm places for them to hide. They even find their way inside your side view mirrors! Once the spiders are inside your vehicle, they can crawl out through air vents and onto your dash.

How to get rid of spiders in car: A spider bomb for a car

In an effort to get to the bottom of this, WKBW Buffalo asked a garage owner what an easy solution could be for getting rid of these spiders quickly. His response? A “chlorine bomb.” It’s a package of chlorine that dealers will often use to remove odors in a car, and can help get rid of spiders as well. The chlorine smell should be strong enough to kill the spiders in your vehicle.

Once the spiders are out, keep them out by keeping your car clean. Spiders like to hang in damp areas, so having wet debris (such as leaves) will attract these creepy crawlers. Keep the car on a cleaning rotation to ensure you aren’t building up homes for spiders within your hood.

Trying to get rid of other bugs? Our ultimate guide to getting rid of the creepiest bugs will help with that.

Locate pest entrances

Inspect the area below your siding

Inspect the underside of your siding using a mirror. If you find a gap, mark the location with masking tape so you can seal it later.

Seal off doors and windows

Seal entrances with weatherstripping

Seal doors, windows and basement sashes with adhesive- backed weatherstripping. Clean the surface first so the weatherstrip will adhere well.

Secure your dryer vent

Check the condition of the damper

Examine dryer vents to ensure the damper isn’t stuck open or broken off completely. Also check that the seal between the vent and the wall is tight.

Caulk gaps between trim and siding

Use acrylic latex caulk to fill gaps

Fill gaps between trim and siding with acrylic latex caulk. Keep a wet cloth handy to clean up any stray caulk. Smooth the bead with a wet finger.

Clean and seal off soffit gaps

Fill soffit openings with expanding foam

Pull nests from the soffit gaps and then fill these openings with expanding foam. After the foam hardens, cut off the excess with a utility knife.

Stuff insect entrances with copper mesh

Use copper scrubbing pads to fill gaps

Stuff in a generous amount of copper mesh with a screwdriver, leaving about half an inch of space for expanding foam sealant. Seal gaps with foam.

Fill remaining gaps with foam and trim flush

Trim the foam flush using a utility knife after allowing the foam to harden overnight. To trim off a thicker section of foam, use an old steak knife.

Snap-type mousetraps are effective

Set mousetraps correctly

Snap-type mousetraps, when well placed, can be an effective way to rid your house of mice. Common mistakes are poor placement of traps and using too few of them. Place snap traps along walls in areas where you’ve seen the telltale brown pellets. The best technique is to set two traps, parallel to the wall, with the triggers facing out. While mice can jump over one trap, they can’t jump two. Favorite baits of professional exterminators are chocolate syrup and peanut butter.

Deprive bugs of moisture

Keep mulch and soil away from foundations

Rake moisture-wicking soil and mulch away from the window frames and low wood. Turn your mulch periodically to help keep dampness down, and keep bushes trimmed back as well.

Spider solution

Dehumidify and clean up cobwebs

You can virtually eliminate spiders in your basement by using a dehumidifier to maintain a 40 percent humidity level and vigilantly sweeping down cobwebs whenever they appear. Keep the basement window sills brushed clean too. In a matter of weeks, the spider population will die down significantly.

Keep pet food out of reach

Use metal or plastic containers to store food

Store pet food in a lidded metal trashcan, as mice cannot climb the slick, vertical sides of the can. Sealed plastic containers are also a good option.

Keep items off the floor

Hunt for mouse droppings periodically

Store items off the floor on wire rack shelving to prevent moisture from collecting underneath. Look for mouse droppings and other evidence of infestation with a flashlight and mirror.

Eliminate sink cabinet clutter

Self-adhesive tiles clean up easily

Tidy up under the kitchen sink. Store items in a caddy so you can easily clear out the cabinet for cleaning and inspection. Self-adhesive tiles provide an easy-to-clean surface.