# How to Keep Spiders Out of Your Basement — Spider Squad

## The Honest Framework

Completely eliminating spiders from a basement is not realistic. Reducing them significantly — to the point where encounters are rare — is achievable with a combination of structural, environmental, and treatment approaches.

## Step 1: Find and Seal Entry Points

Basements typically have multiple spider entry routes. A systematic check covers:

**Foundation cracks:** Walk the exterior foundation perimeter. Caulk any crack wider than a credit card thickness (about 0.76 mm). Use exterior-grade polyurethane or silicone caulk.

**Window frames:** Basement windows often have weathered or missing caulk at the frame-to-foundation junction. Reapply.

**Pipe and wire penetrations:** Every pipe, wire, and conduit entering the basement through the foundation wall typically has a gap around it. Foam backer rod and caulk or expanding foam fills these.

**Floor drain:** Basement floor drains can admit insects and occasionally spiders. An inexpensive floor drain cover allows drainage while reducing entry.

**Crawl space connection:** If your basement connects to a crawl space, inspect and seal the transition point. Crawl spaces are very high spider habitat.

**Window wells:** Clean out leaf litter and debris from window wells — they concentrate insects and spiders. Install window well covers.

**Garage-to-basement door:** If attached, this door is often poorly sealed. Inspect threshold seal and weatherstripping.

## Step 2: Reduce Harbouring

Clutter is prime spider territory. Address:

- **Cardboard boxes:** Replace with sealed plastic bins — cardboard provides harbouring for both spiders and the insects they eat
- **Stacked wood indoors:** Keep firewood outside in a raised stack; don't store it in the basement
- **Old clothing and fabric:** Store in sealed bins, not open boxes or hanging racks
- **Under-stair areas:** Clean and declutter — these are high-accumulation zones
- **Utility zone:** Behind the furnace, water heater, and other equipment — clean regularly

## Step 3: Address Moisture

High humidity in basements supports fungus gnats, drain flies, and springtails — the insects spiders eat. If your humidity is high:

- Run a basement dehumidifier (target below 50% relative humidity)
- Fix any dripping pipes or appliances
- Ensure window wells drain properly (no standing water)
- Check that downspouts discharge at least 6 feet from the foundation
- If moisture is coming through the foundation wall itself, that's a waterproofing issue beyond pest control

## Step 4: Reduce Exterior Pressure

Even perfect interior sealing won't eliminate basement spiders if the exterior population is high. The Spider Squad exterior perimeter treatment — applied to the foundation, window frames, and all exterior entry points — significantly reduces the population trying to get in.

For established basement populations, interior spot treatment applied to walls, corners, pipe zones, and under-stair areas is added to any booking on request.

## What Doesn't Work

**Ultrasonic repellers:** No scientific evidence of effectiveness for spiders. Studies consistently find no meaningful reduction in spider populations.

**Sticky traps alone:** Useful for monitoring species and population; don't meaningfully reduce populations in active infestations.

**Spray-and-pray retail products:** Useful for killing visible spiders on contact, but no meaningful residual protection. Break down quickly indoors and don't address entry.

## Timeline for Results

After comprehensive professional treatment, most homeowners see a significant reduction in visible spiders within 1 to 2 weeks. Complete resolution of an established basement population may take 4 to 6 weeks as the barrier eliminates spiders that were in harbouring retreats during treatment. Seasonal reapplication (spring and fall) maintains results year-round.

To book: call 905-935-7498 or request a quote at spidersquad.ca.