When is the Best Time to Treat Spiders? Things to Consider.

Posted May 6, 2024 by Sarah Malone
Category: Advice, Spiders

Australia is known for its eight-legged friends and these can be commonly found within our homes. Some people embrace their presence, while others believe that the only good spider is a dead one. If you are one of those that prefers no spiders living with them than you may wonder when is the best time to treat for spiders? Winter or summer?

When Spiders Most Active: Summer Time

The Australian warm climate has always been the perfect breeding conditions for many spider species. This is because during this time their primary food source thrives and gives insects plenty to eat. With plenty of food comes an increase in pest activity with spiders searching for prey and setting up various breeding grounds. You may also notice that during this time you will encounter spiders inside seeking out the cooler temperatures and this is when you are most likely to notice them around the house.

The Advantage of Winter Time

Although summer is the main spider season, having your property treated in winter can also give you a few advantages. Such as:

• Less Activity: Colder temperatures cause spiders to be less active. You will be less likely to see them move around the house which also means they are more likely to come into contact with the treatment.
• Chemicals Last Longer: Most residual treatments last longer on surfaces when its colder. So if any spider eggs hatch in winter this will make sure you are still protected and stop them from breeding up.

The Advantage of Summer Time

Treating through the summer still does have its benefits.

• Target Breeding Populations: If you decide to treat during the spiders peak breeding season you may be able to interrupt the spider life cycle and prevent future spider infestations.
• Spot the Results: When you are noticing a higher than usual spider population at your home a summer treatment will show a quick decrease in population by targeting the visible adult spiders that are around the house.

Advantages of Treating Twice a Year

The ideal treatment of spiders around the house could be a combination of both seasons.

• Summer: This will help treat the immediate population and targets the breeding populations.
• Winter: This is a preventative treatment will target the lower activity and stop them from having a chance to breed up and the treatment will still be strong once summer does hit.

Choosing the Right Time For You

Every household has different needs and there are a few other factors to consider when picking what time is right for you:

• Spider species: Different types of spiders have different activity patterns and it is best to know what type of spiders are around your property and the best way to treat those particular species.
• How bad the infestation is: If you are noticing a high number of spiders living around your home it is best to have the property treated immediately and after the population is back under control a management plan can be used moving forward to ensure that you don’t get an influx of spiders again.
• Preventative: It is always good to apply other forms of protection to help stop spiders from breeding up around your property. Good ideas are to seal up gaps around doors and windows, reducing clutter and regularly removing webs.

It is important to also remember that a lot of Australian spiders can be beneficial and help keep other insect populations under control. If you can tolerate a few spiders consider relocating them outside. However, if you have young children, elderly or a higher than usual population professional treatments will help control them in your home.

For more information contact our office.