Vapor barriers, pea gravel and sump pumps may be necessary for many crawl spaces to control moisture, thus making the space less hospitable for spiders.
Inorganic mulches like pea gravel or rubber mulch do not support the life cycle of pests that require organic material, thus, they might be a better choice in areas prone to infestations.
Mobility: Due to its round and smooth shape, pea gravel can easily shift underfoot, which can lead to instability in walkways or patios. This mobility can also make it challenging for outdoor furniture to stay stable.
Spiders are attracted to various factors in their search for shelter, food, and mating opportunities. Some common factors that attract spiders include the presence of insects or other prey, warm and dark spaces, and moisture.
However, because it has rougher edges, it may not be the best choice for areas such as playgrounds or dog runs.
It improves drainage and controls erosion. It is a great rodent deterrent because it takes away the ability of rodents to dig through your garden. Additionally, using pea gravel around the base of your home helps keep the mice, chipmunk, and moles out.
You can also use pea gravel instead of sand in your child's sandbox, as an alternative to mulch, and as an edging material around flower beds and trees. At the end of the day, pea gravel is an inspirational landscaping tool that has multiple uses.
In addition to peppermint, which was mentioned earlier, you can try using essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus, as spiders tend to dislike these scents. You can create a homemade spider-repellent spray by mixing a few drops of these essential oils with water and applying it to spider-prone areas.
Spiders avoid people, animals, and most insects – except for the one's they're about to eat of course. As stated above, most spiders are relatively small. That makes them especially vulnerable. Many birds and animals may try to eat spiders, or at the very least, they'll probably interfere with the spider's food source.
People are most likely to be bitten when they disturb the spider while they are cleaning out or picking up items in such places.
Put down the base layer. Gravel composed of 3/4-inch crushed-rock pieces mixed with rock dust works best. The crushed rock will add stability to the top layer of pea gravel. Use a garden rake to spread the material evenly to a depth of about 2 inches.
Do pea gravel patios last? Yes, since pea gravel doesn't break down and a weed barrier is in place to keep out the weeds, this type of patio will last for many years.
Because there is more flexibility and movement with a gravel path, it can potentially see some unwanted growth, as weed seeds sprout from the ground into the gravel surface. In addition, grass can also potentially sprout from the gravel areas.
Pea Gravel
Animals don't particularly like burrowing or making their nests on stones. So it makes the space under your deck much less appealing and will prevent many of them from calling underneath your deck their home.
While crushed stone is less visually appealing than pea gravel due to its jagged edges, it provides better stability and is less likely to shift over time. Its rough texture helps to prevent weed growth, making it a practical choice for areas where minimal maintenance is desired.
Provide a 2-foot-wide layer of pea gravel or crushed stone extending from the foundation around the perimeter on all sides of the home. Alternative pest-resistant ground breaks such as graded basalt particles, concrete pavers, or a poured concrete skirt are also effective.
Some people believe that placing dryer sheets in corners or near windows can repel spiders. Again, while the scent might discourage spiders from settling in those areas, it won't solve the problem entirely. Spiders are attracted to homes with abundant food sources, such as other insects.
Spray the spider directly with an over-the-counter insecticide. “You can use over-the-counter [products] like Raid” to kill spiders instantly, instructs pest control professional Hussam Bin Break. There many options for commercial insecticides that are specifically designed to immediately kill spiders on contact.
Despite their cunning and lethal abilities, spiders have weaknesses. They typically have low health and can be susceptible to area-of-effect spells or attacks that disrupt their webs. Light sources can also be used to disadvantage them, as many are accustomed to operating in darkness.
Seal up your home to keep spiders from entering through cracks and crevices. Cover vents with fine mesh insect screens. Apply caulk around wires, cables, faucets and electrical components that run to the outside. Replace or fix torn window screens and caulk up gaps around windows.
So, which color should you choose? According to experts, spiders hate blue. Choosing blue for your home's interior and exterior may be a creative way to repel spiders. Alternatively, consider painting ceilings or walls blue to create a less appealing environment for these pests.
Use Essential Oils: Spiders don't like the smell of certain essential oils, such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil. You can use these oils in a diffuser or spray them around your bedroom to keep spiders at bay.
Gravel, especially pea gravel, can tend to scatter easily and may need to be raked occasionally to maintain a relatively level surface. Furniture can also tend to sink down into gravel, especially pea gravel as it does not create as firm a surface as crushed gravel does.
What Do You Put Under Pea Gravel? Landscaping fabric and sand or crushed rock (or both) are the most common. You can also use a honeycomb grid for extra stability.
Crushed stone or pea gravel are comparable to wood mulch in terms of attraction, since they also retain moisture in the underlying soil. Where mulch is used, it should be applied sparingly (a couple inches is usually adequate), and should never be allowed to contact wood siding or framing of doors or windows.