Not really. In fact it's never a good idea to lay any kind of mulch up tight to the foundation. You see, all mulch will do is to preserve if not create heat on it's underside (where it contacts the ground). This heat will no doubt attract insects. And when you have insects living right up alongside the home, the odds of some getting inside are greatly increased.

Now if you must have mulch like cedar chips or pine straw up tight to your homes foundation, be sure to apply some BIFEN GRANULES to it every 2-3 months. This way the Bifen will kill off all the insects that attempt to move into this prime real estate.

Bifen Granules:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/granule/bifenthrin-g-25-lb

The time to start doing some preventive treatments is once you start noticing any kind of flying insect activity. White flies, gnats, midges, moths and other flying insects are all spider food and if the food is active, so too will be the predator's.

To get more specific, we're located just outside Atlanta GA and typically I'll have to start treating in April. But given the mild winter we've had, I've seen several spiders already so I'll be doing some applications this week.

I also keep a boat at a local lake and it too is already showing newly formed spider webs which is a sure sign there is activity. To get ahead of all these pests, you need to treat early on in the season. And based on where Raleigh NC is in relation to Atlanta, I wouldn't be surprised if things are nearly as active in your region as they are here so I'd say to start now.

Outside Spider Treatments: http://www.brownrecluse.com/brown-recluse-spider-control/spiders-outside

We've got several products that can be used effectively to take care of brown recluse spiders. The key is treating the right areas. If you review our article, you'll learn it covers how to treat the outside of the home, the inside living areas of the home as well as attics and crawl spaces. Each of these areas require different types of products to get the best results and for starters, I'd say to get the CYONARA to mix up and spray along with some PHANTOM AEROSOL.

If it turns out they're in your attic or other hidden space, get one of the dusts like the DRIONE or DELTAMETHRIN. More details on these products can be found in our article posted here:

Spider Control Inside:  http://www.brownrecluse.com/brown-recluse-spider-control/spiders-inside

Spider Control Outside:  http://www.brownrecluse.com/brown-recluse-spider-control/spiders-outside

Cyonara:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/liquid/cyonara

Phantom:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/aerosol/pt-phantom-17-5oz

Drione:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/dust/drione-dust

Deltamethrin Dust:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/dust/deltamethrin-dust

Based on where the problem is and the fact that you have boxes, I would limit the treatment to an aerosol. I would also refrain from using a traditional "bomb" because they are usually oily and smelly which could affect your documents. Furthermore, bombs won't move around the space properly and in the end, there is a good chance many spiders will survive or not be affected because of their location relative to the placement of any 2-3 aerosol bombs.

A much better option would be to use a product called PT-PHANTOM. It's odorless and very effective on spiders. Furthermore, it goes on "dry". So between it being odorless and going on dry, the Phantom would be the ideal product to use.

To treat, you'll need to go up to the space and start at the furthest point away from the exit door. The Phantom can is manually operated (used like a can of hair spray) and all it will take is a light misting over the boxes and any area you want to treat. To give you an idea of how it would be used, for the average 20x20x20 box, a mere 1-2 second spray over the top is all you'd need to apply. This means it won't take long to do nor will it use a lot of material.

Of course I highly recommend spraying as much of the space as possible but for the first run, I'd focus on the boxes. Next, I'd let the treatment sit for 2-3 days to insure the Phantom has enough time to do it's work. Phantom isn't detectable by pests so they won't know it's there. This means they'll readily walk on treated surfaces and by letting it stay for a few days, you'll insure all the target pests are dead. Furthermore Phantom is not a contact kill so it won't kill them for a day anyway. Again, this is by design. Slow working means it has a chance of infiltrating more pests and in the end, is a much better mode of action compared to traditional products.

Lastly, I recommend treating this way at least once every 3 months; every 2 months would be ideal. This way no spiders or other pests will be able to come around. Personally I use the Phantom on my boat because it goes on invisible, is odorless and works great on spiders. I also use it in my home because I have hardwood floors which are easily marked with traditional sprays. But the Phantom goes on invisible and stays that way all the while taking care of spiders and any other pests we may have inside.

Phantom:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/aerosol/pt-phantom-17-5oz

Controlling the moisture under the home should be considered. In fact, most insect problems arise because of poor air circulation. Is the home located on a low water table or get ocean/lake flooding or is the moisture more related to humidity? If it's from humidity, the first thing you would want to do is to have some TEMP VENTS installed. These can really help. Basically they'll open and close as is needed which in turn will allow air to flow through the space. In most cases, this is all these spaces will require.

If the automatic vents aren't enough, consider installing a POWER VENT. Basically it will do the same thing but for spaces where the air is stagnant and doesn't move, the power vents can be all the difference needed. They'll literally "suck out" the air and moisture and can be controlled via HUMIDITY THERMOSTATS or TEMPERATURE THERMOSTATS.

Lastly, if you know the humidity is high under the home because it's coming from the soil of the space, install a MOISTURE BARRIER. This plastic will be "sealing" out the moisture and when combined with one of the Vents mentioned above, can help when the moisture is coming from the ground.

As for the spiders, once the moisture problem is resolved, applying some DELTAMETHRIN DUST with a DUSTIN MIZER once a  year is all you'll need to do. It's easy, long lasting, odorless and works on all pests. In fact you could apply it right now in the damp space and still get positive results. The difference with treating a moist space compared to a dry space is in the length of time the dust will last. When dry, it will last a year or more. But if the space is damp, expect to retreat quarterly to keep the active working and the spiders under control. So even though it won't last as long, you can no doubt get rid of the spiders right away if you desire.

Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:

Temp Vents:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/temp-vents/temp-vent-black

Power Vents:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/temp-vents/temp-vent-powered-black

Humidistats:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/temp-vents/temp-vent-humidistat-18109

Thermostats:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/temp-vents/temp-vent-thermostat

Poly Moisture Barrier:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/temp-vents/poly-4-mil-10-x-100

Deltamethrin Dust:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/dust/deltamethrin-dust

Dustin Mizer:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/dusters/dustin-mizerdeflector

We use gloves and a peroxide based cleaner that does well. In the past I've seen bird dropping clean ups that uses respirators. I know spider carry Lyme disease as well as ticks. What are my risks?

Any kind of fecal matter can carry bacteria or virus. The real key is the main component of the feces (what it's made from) along with the local air moisture. In general, the more complex the feces, the more fertile (better chance) material for bad things to prosper. Add a good dose of moisture to the mix and the recipe is ripe for a all kinds of contaminates.

This is why it's always best to neutralize any potentially harmful or dangerous organisms that might be present. To do this, you'll need a special cleaner like ROUGH N'READY. Lightly spray over the area prior to cleanup and you'll be killing all the bad stuff.  It works great on virus and bacteria and can make the area a lot safer for cleanup.

You should also wear RUBBER GLOVES or SURGICAL GLOVES along with a decent RESPIRATOR. By avoiding skin contact and breathing filtered air, the risk of getting exposed to anything will be greatly reduced.

Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:

Rough N'Ready:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/sanitizer/liquid/rough-and-ready

Rubber Gloves:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/safety/gloves-nitrile-9-mil-pr

Surgical Gloves:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/safety/latex-gloves-l-100box

Respirator:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/safety/wilson-freedom-respirator

Every fall, we get wolf spiders coming into our garage, like 4 or 6 each nite! We see one occasionally in the basement.

We would like to use bifen granules around the perimeter, but are worried about our dog, who lays out in the yard a lot, and our 2 year old grandson who plays outside. Is it safe to use where children and pets run?

We live in Northwest PA

When used as directed, BIFEN GRANULES won't pose a hazard to the pets or children. Remember, they'll be dispersed over a large area and when done properly, it will be nearly impossible to tell they've been applied. That's because they'll be spread so thin. Just be sure to keep everyone away from the area during the treatment and within a few hours, they can safely return. We also have a video at the bottom of the Bifen product page which covers everything you need to know regarding it's safe use and storage. I suggest you review this short presentation too. Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:

Bifen Granules:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/granule/bifenthrin-g-25-lb

Like any pest, if you want to keep local populations minimized you'll need to do some pest control. This process will involve different treatments for different areas. We have it all covered in our on line article which goes over what's needed for inside the home, outside the home and for hidden areas like attics and crawl spaces.

Since it's the outside you're mostly concerned about, I suggest you start there. Read the below link and get some treatments done now, before the cold of winter arrives, which will help keep them from entering the home. There is no doubt a good treatment regime throughout the year will keep these guys minimized so they won't pose a threat to you or your son. Here is a link to the outside treatment suggestions:

http://www.brownrecluse.com/brown-recluse-spider-control/spiders-outside

Wolf spiders are fast moving, predatory spiders that can cover a large area when feeding. For this reason it's important to get the ground treated. Especially mulch areas. They like to live in pine straw, wood chips and even under cut grass that's left lying in the yard. To keep their numbers down inside the home, it's important to spray the foundation outside and apply granules to at least a 10 wide band around the home.

For spraying, go with the CYPERMETHRIN featured in our OUTSIDE SPIDER CONTROL reading. This active is both toxic to spider and repellent. They tend to avoid treated surfaces so it will keep them at bay where applied. But it will also kill any that are nesting in the area. Unfortunately it's not the best at penetrating any ground nests that might be present nor does it last as long as a good granule.

For that you'll need to apply some BIFEN. Designed to handle water well and soak into the ground, the Bifen should be applied all the way around the home every 2-3 months. But don't be afraid to treat a larger area, like the entire yard, if you have reason to believe the spiders are living anywhere on your land.

Once under control, the Cypermethrin and Bifen should be applied every 2-3 months to keep things under control. And if you have activity inside, the Cypermethrin can be used there too.

Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:

Cypermethrin:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/liquid/viper-cypermethrin

Bifen:  http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/granule/bifenthrin-g-25-lb

Outside Spider Control:  http://www.brownrecluse.com/brown-recluse-spider-control/spiders-outside