Why Spider-Proofing Matters in Sydney
Sydney is home to some of Australia’s most medically significant spiders, including the Sydney funnel-web and the redback. While spider sprays treat existing populations, spider-proofing addresses the conditions that attract spiders in the first place — reducing the need for repeat treatments and making your home less appealing to eight-legged visitors.
Seal Entry Points
Spiders enter homes through the same gaps and cracks that other pests use:
- Gaps around window and door frames — seal with silicone caulk
- Damaged fly screens — repair or replace any torn or loose screens
- Gaps under external doors — install brush or rubber door sweeps
- Weep holes — fit weep hole covers (which allow airflow but exclude pests)
- Gaps around pipes and utility entries — seal with expanding foam plus mesh
Reduce Outdoor Harborage Sites
Spiders are most commonly found in areas that offer shelter, darkness and prey. Reducing these conditions around the perimeter of your home limits their population:
- Keep firewood, garden debris, bricks and rocks away from the house walls
- Trim garden beds and ground cover plants away from the foundation
- Clear leaf litter and mulch away from the base of exterior walls
- Move outdoor furniture away from walls periodically to disrupt web building
- Clean out garden sheds and check items stored on the floor before bringing them inside
Reduce Insect Prey Around the Home
Spiders go where food is. The more insects around your home, the more attractive it is to spiders. Reduce insect populations by:
- Turning off exterior lights or switching to yellow/amber LED lights that attract fewer insects
- Keeping bins sealed and away from the house
- Fixing leaking taps and gutters (moisture attracts insects)
Inside the Home
- Reduce clutter in dark areas like storage rooms, under stairs and garages — these are prime spider harborage sites
- Use sealed storage boxes rather than open cardboard boxes
- Vacuum regularly, paying attention to corners, skirting boards and behind furniture
- Shake out shoes, towels and clothing left on the floor before use — particularly during summer months when spiders are most active
- Install tight-fitting screens on vents and fireplaces
Professional Spider Treatments
Even the most thorough spider-proofing will not eliminate all spider activity. Professional spider treatments apply residual insecticides to the exterior of the home — eaves, window frames, door frames, fences and garden structures — creating a treated zone that kills spiders on contact.
In Sydney, professional treatments targeting funnel-webs and redbacks are typically performed on the exterior perimeter, garden areas and subfloor. Treatments last 3–6 months depending on weather conditions and are recommended twice yearly in high-risk areas.
Pestyologist provides professional spider treatments across Sydney. Book your treatment today.