Exterminating Grand Daddy Long Legs
If you’re thinking about exterminating those granddaddy longlegs scuttling around your house, it’s best to know a bit about them first. While frequently referred to as spiders, granddaddy longlegs are actually arachnids, and have a very different body structure. They are drawn to moist environments and make their homes in cobwebs and dusty areas. They have no venom glands and therefore pose no threat to human beings.
Thankfully, granddaddy longlegs are much easier to get rid of than most of their peers, and can be eliminated using common, inexpensive items found in your home and at the supermarket.
Methods
For the humanitarians in the crowd, the tried and tested jar-and-paper method (putting a jar over the culprit, slipping a piece of paper underneath, and carrying it outside) is always an option, as these lanky pests are easy to catch. Those with less sympathy for insects, though, may just want to opt for the vacuum cleaner. Applying insecticide to their hangouts is another option, though be sure to open your windows in the process. Likewise, sticky traps, similar to the kind used to catch mice, also work well, and have the added benefit of letting you know exactly where to look for the body.
If these methods don’t seem to be working, or if you just feel like getting creative, head to the hardware store and pick up some diatomaceous earth, a substance that eliminates insects by destroying their protective outer coatings.
In terms of prevention, your best bet is to keep your house dry by fixing all leaks and purchasing a dehumidifier. Likewise, vacuuming on a regular basis will eliminate many of their food sources, making it less likely that they’ll hang around.
