For serious infestations, it’s best to get in touch with a spider control professional

to ensure the problem is completely resolved. However, if you’re only noticing a few more spiders than usual, here are some simple DIY methods to manage them easily:

Insecticide aerosol sprays

A fast and effective way to remove pesky spiders indoors, store-bought insecticides can be applied directly to spiders and are readily available from supermarkets and hardware stores. The major advantage to using an aerosol is that you have precise control of the direction of the spray and it can access small, hard to reach places. They also leave a residue which can give longer lasting protection.

Spider catcher

Consisting of a bristles located at one end of a stick, and a pistol grip at the other, this handy device enables you to easily trap and release spiders outside with minimal harm.

Remove spider webs

The presence of webs can attract more spiders, so it’s best to either wipe them away and clean the area with a damp cloth. You can also use a duster or a vacuum cleaner to remove them.

Spider traps

Laced with an attractant to trap insects on the adhesive surface, glue traps are a simple and inexpensive method to remove spiders. With many non-toxic and odourless options available, you can easily lay them out in any areas of your home that are regularly frequented by spiders.

There are several options available if you prefer to use non-toxic ways of preventing spiders.

Essential oils such as peppermint, lavender and tea tree are thought to be highly effective. You can use them with an oil diffuser or simply place 15-20 drops of your preferred oil into a spray bottle and fill with water. This mixture can be applied to affected areas on a regular basis.

Vinegar can be mixed with water at a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle and applied to affected areas, but due to its corrosive nature take care when applying.

Covering vents and installing mesh screens over windows and doors can go a long way towards keeping out unwanted insects. Ensure you keep then clean and free from holes so that they remain effective.

Sealing all entry points such as crack and crevices is a key method to reduce access to your home. Covering gaps underneath doors and around windows with draught excluders helps prevente entry points.

Spiders can easily hide inside shoes, toys, furniture and sports equipment so give your belongings a good shake and check that you have removed spiders before they come inside your home.

Keep your house clean and tidy by removing clutter and dusting and vacuuming thoroughly, including all the corners, under and behind furniture. Immediately remove any spider webs that you encounter.

Carefully check dark and less frequented areas of your home for spiders, as they give ample opportunities for spiders to hide and lay eggs. Don’t forget to look underneath and behind furniture, and if possible, make sure to clean these places regularly as well.

As insects are attracted to lights, spiders may notice an abundance of their preferred food source, and also be drawn indoors as a result. Switch off unnecessary lights to avoid this from happening.

Available at hardware stores, insect repelling lights consist of globes covered in a green, yellow or red coating. They are thought to be highly effective at deterring insects.

If you’re experiencing an unexpected spider outbreak this spring, Allstate is here to help. Our technicians understand how stressful and disruptive it can be even when you’re only noticing a few more spiders than usual.

As Australia’s largest pest control company, we have more than 30 years’ experience in managing spider issues in commercial, residential and industrial settings. With a thorough knowledge of common spider species and behaviour, we have long term solutions to keep your home protected from spiders. We use only the latest technology and treatments which are non-toxic to children, pets and the environment.

All of our services come with a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee, and are covered by competitive warranties. We offer interest-free payment plans so you can enjoy the warm weather in spring without having to worry about spiders crawling around.

Making up around 2% of a termite colony and ranging in colour from elongated beige coloured bodies to darker heads, soldier termites are around 5 to 6.5mm long. They are easily recognised by their distinct protruding mandible and large, unique shaped heads.

You may even find that some species have an extra defence mechanism known as fontanelles. These finger-like projections secrete a sticky liquid to trap ants and other organisms which may pose a threat to the colony.

There are two types of soldier termites: mandibulate have well-formed jaws, whereas nasute develop a more elongated snout covering a small mouth and jaw.

Soldier termites are well built for biting potential predators, plugging holes in mud tubes, as well as warning of danger by banging their heads against tunnel walls. This creates vibrations that can be felt by other termites elsewhere in the colony.

Although beginning their life cycle as an alate, King termites have wings and become darker in colour over time as their eyesight improves. However, unlike the Queen, who grows significantly in size, a King will remain at 4-6mm long.

While Kings play an important role in founding and expanding a termite colony, they also look after young termites before there are enough workers to take over.

Kings have a unique ability to produce pheromones that can change termites from one caste to another. For example, Kings can change worker termites to alates or soldiers, depending on the needs of the colony.

In spring, winged male and female termites couple off, emerge from the nest and fly to other locations to mate and expand the colony.

Known to shed their wings within minutes of landing, if you notice alate wings scattered around your home, or even piles of wings, it’s a sure sign that there’s a termite colony nearby. We recommend contacting Allstate to arrange an urgent termite inspection.

The most common types of termites you’ll most likely encounter are subterranean and drywood. While they must both locate a source of wood to feed on, they are otherwise distinctly unique creatures.

It’s useful to find out which species is the source of your outbreak to ensure any targeted treatment has the maximum benefit. Below are some ways to help you tell the difference between subterranean and drywood termites:

Season

Subterranean alates swarm in spring, whereas drywood termites do so in late summer or early autumn.

Veins on their wings

Drywood alates have 3-4 veins embedded on each wing and subterranean alates have a single prominent, dark vein running parallel to the top of each wing.

Location

Subterranean termites nest and tunnel beneath the ground as they require moisture to survive. Drywood termites typically tunnel inside wood and aren’t known to dig in soil.

Droppings

Subterranean termite waste or “carton” appears cardboard-like and is repurposed to line mud tubes. On the other hand, drywood termites dispose of waste outside of the wood they’re infesting and accumulate waste in small piles known as “frass”.

Feeding habits

Drywood termites tend to eat across the grain of wood, resulting in more disorganised remnant wood galleries containing frass. Subterranean termites chew on the softest part of the wood found between the grains, leaving behind neatly hollowed out wood segments.

At Allstate, we recommend having annual termite inspections for most homes and businesses, or more often if your location has a higher risk of a termite attack.

Our licensed and experienced team uses modern technology to provide you with comprehensive termite risk assessments and targeted treatment options if necessary. You can learn more about our professional termite inspections here.

In addition to annual termite inspections, we recommend taking the following preventative measures to actively deter termites from entering your home in the first place:

Landscaping

Take care to maintain the integrity of your existing termite barrier and minimise the introduction of new entry points when making any significant changes to your yard.

Garden and yard maintenance

Maintain a tidy yard by removing tree stumps, clearing your gutters, removing piles of vegetation and litter. Trim shrubs to ensure that there is a 12-inch clearance from your home. Take care to store piles of wood and timber in a dry place away from your house.

Maintain wooden furniture

Ensure that all wooden furniture in your home is sealed, treated and moisture-free.

Remove moisture

Check pipes, drains and roof damage for any signs of leaks as this can attract termites. Look for signs of condensation in your heating and cooling unit.

Seal entry points to your home

Prevent swarmers from accessing your home by covering gaps around windows and doors.

Neighbours with termite problems

Termites can travel 50-100m away from their nest, so be aware that if your neighbours have a termite outbreak, your home may also be susceptible. This may mean having more frequent termite inspections to catch any problems as early as possible.