How to Prepare for Your Spider Treatment
A little preparation goes a long way. When you clear the access path around your home before your Spider Squad technician arrives, we can deliver a complete, uninterrupted barrier spray that protects every inch of your foundation - the places spiders use most.
Why Preparation Matters
Our spider control treatment targets the foundation perimeter, soffits, window frames, doorways, and any eave or overhang where spiders anchor webs and lay egg sacs. The residual product we apply needs direct contact with those surfaces - if furniture, equipment, or stored items are blocking access, we either leave gaps in the barrier or spend your appointment time moving things instead of treating.
A complete, unobstructed perimeter spray creates the strongest possible protective barrier. Here's exactly what to do before we arrive.
Clear a clear, unobstructed 3-foot zone all the way around the exterior of your home - every wall, every corner. That's the spray path our technician needs to walk without stopping.
Your Pre-Treatment Checklist
-
1
Move patio furniture away from the house walls
Chairs, tables, loungers, and ottomans should be pulled at least 3 feet from the foundation. If you have a deck, shift furniture toward the centre. Spiders love the sheltered gaps behind furniture legs - clearing these ensures the spray reaches those hidden corners.
-
2
Relocate potted plants and planters
Move all potted plants, hanging baskets, and window boxes 3 feet from the wall or temporarily inside. The soil and moist conditions in planters attract the insects spiders hunt - and the pots themselves become perfect web-building anchor points.
-
3
Clear garden tools, hoses, and equipment
Coil and store garden hoses, rake handles, shovels, and other tools leaning against the house. These create perfect dark, sheltered gaps. Move them to a shed or at least out into the yard away from the foundation.
-
4
Move firewood and debris piles
Firewood stacked against the house is one of the single biggest spider attractors in Ontario. Funnel web spiders, wolf spiders, and ground spiders thrive in woodpiles. Move any stored firewood at least 10 feet from the foundation - ideally on a raised rack. Brush piles, leaf accumulations, and rotting lumber should also be cleared.
-
5
Pull mulch back from the foundation
Thick mulch beds that butt right up against the foundation block our spray and stay moist - perfect spider habitat. Rake the mulch back so there's a few inches of exposed foundation visible at the base of the wall. This also helps with moisture management that attracts the insects spiders feed on.
-
6
Move garbage and recycling bins
Bins stored against the house wall should be moved out into the yard or placed in the garage for the day of treatment. Garbage odours attract flies, which attract spiders. Bins also block our spray line along a section of foundation.
-
7
Trim vegetation touching the house
Shrubs, climbing vines, and overgrown hedges that contact the siding or foundation provide both a highway for spiders to enter and a physical barrier that blocks our application. Trim them back so there's a clear gap between foliage and your exterior walls. Even a few inches makes a significant difference.
-
8
Remove kids' toys, sports gear, and bikes from the perimeter
Anything stored along the foundation - bikes, soccer nets, sandbox toys, lawn games - should be moved to the yard or garage. Helmets, shoes, and bags left on porches or near entryways should be brought inside.
-
9
Close all windows and doors
Before our technician begins spraying, ensure all windows, doors, and vents that open to the exterior are closed. This is especially important at ground level. The residual spray is safe once dry, but direct ventilation during application is not ideal.
-
10
Keep pets and children inside during treatment
Pets and children should be kept indoors until the treatment has dried - typically 30 to 45 minutes after application, depending on conditions. Once dry, treated surfaces are safe to resume normal contact with.
What Happens During the Treatment
Our technician will walk the complete exterior perimeter applying a professional-grade residual insecticide to:
🏠 Foundation Line
The base of every exterior wall is treated thoroughly. This is where ground-dwelling spiders such as wolf spiders and funnel web spiders forage, and where egg sacs are commonly attached behind gaps and cracks.
🪟 Windows & Doors
Every window frame, door frame, and threshold gets treated - particularly the corners where webs anchor most often. Sill plates and exterior trim are included in the application.
🏚️ Eaves & Overhangs
Soffits, fascia boards, and roof overhangs are treated where accessible. These areas harbour cellar spiders, orb weavers, and yellow sac spiders - species that prefer to build overhead.
The product typically remains active for 60 to 90 days depending on rainfall, surface porosity, and sun exposure. Any spider that walks across a treated surface will absorb a lethal dose. Web builders that don't walk the foundation are targeted through the eave and soffit application.
After Your Treatment
✅ Do
- Wait until surfaces are dry before returning furniture and pots to their normal positions - typically 30–45 minutes on a dry day
- Leave existing webs in place for a day or two - spiders will return to them and contact the residual product
- Keep your perimeter clear of dense vegetation and woodpiles for the remainder of the season to maximize effectiveness
- Note the date so you can schedule a touch-up if needed late in the season
- Call us if you see significant new spider activity after 14 days - we stand behind our results
🚫 Avoid
- Don't spray the treated areas with a hose or pressure washer for at least 48 hours - this dilutes the residual
- Avoid sweeping or scrubbing the treated foundation surface immediately after treatment
- Don't assume a few spiders seen in the first 48 hours means the treatment isn't working - it takes a few days for the full effect to show
- Avoid restacking firewood, leaf piles, or mulch against the foundation after treatment
It's actually normal in the first 24–72 hours. Spiders that were nesting in the treated zone become agitated as the product activates and may move more visibly. This is a sign the treatment is working. Activity typically drops significantly within the first week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Book?
Book Your Spider Treatment Today
Same-week service available across Southern Ontario. Get your quote and we'll handle the rest.
Call 905-935-7498 Find My RegionFind Your Region
Serving All of Southern Ontario
Select your region to request a free quote.
Don't Let Spiders Take Over
Tell us about your property and we'll respond within hours to book your service. No obligation, no pressure.
