If you’re a guinea pig owner, chances are you’ve heard that having a guinea pig in your home can help keep spiders away. But is this true? Here’s what you need to know about using guinea pigs as a spider repellent.
Do guinea pigs keep spiders away?
While guinea pigs may keep spiders away from their cages, it’s not a guaranteed solution for an entire home.
Spiders enter like any other insect through small cracks and crevices in the wall or windows. And considering guinea pigs are relatively tiny animals and require special care within the home, they can’t patrol all the nooks and crannies that spiders might find inviting.
On top of keeping clean, sealing off entryways with weatherstripping is critical to spider prevention.
Ultimately guinea pigs make great house pets, but when it comes to spiders in your home, unfortunately, they won’t be much help.
How Guinea Pigs Might Help Keep Spiders Away
The idea behind using guinea pigs as spider repellent is that the smell of the pet will keep spiders away from your home.
While there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, the smell of a guinea pig may be enough to deter some species of spiders or at least make them less likely to stay in your house for an extended period.
However, several other factors could contribute to fewer spiders in your home, even if you have a guinea pig.
For example, if you keep your home clean and free from clutter—which is always recommended when owning any pet—you may have fewer spiders than before.
Additionally, certain types of plants (such as lavender or citrus) may help repel spiders naturally, without the need for any pets in the house.
Is it Safe to Have Both Guinea Pigs and Spiders Around?
If you still find yourself with spiders and guinea pigs in your home, don’t worry too much about their safety.
Guinea pigs should not be able to come into contact with any dangerous spider species as they can cause severe harm or illness if bitten.
However, spider webs may pose a choking hazard for guinea pigs, so it’s essential to ensure that all webs are regularly removed from around their cage space.
Are spiders a danger to guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs are particularly vulnerable to spiders since they are small mammals and cannot defend themselves against the bite of the more dangerous species.
One of the biggest threats comes from domestic house spiders, who can build intricate webs and weave into enclosures.
These webs will capture any insects that come close and, if left alone, can cause severe distress to your guinea pig.
To reduce the likelihood of this happening, vacuum all surrounding areas regularly and clear out any webs you spot before they cause harm.
Additionally, don’t let wild spiders into your house, as it risks introducing danger to your guinea pig.
Prevention is critical when taking measures against spiders becoming a hazard for your pet – take it seriously, and you should be able to avoid blundered encounters with eight-legged creatures.
How to get rid of spiders without harming the guinea pigs?
Keeping your guinea pig safe is paramount, so if you have an issue with spiders, getting rid of them can be challenging without endangering your pet.
Luckily some great methods will allow you to eliminate the eight-legged invaders safely and effectively.
Vacuuming regularly helps remove spiders and their webs, especially when upholstered furniture is involved.
Opening the windows to bring in more natural light also helps, as spiders do not like bright areas.
Applying cedar oil or vinegar around your windowsills, doorways, the perimeter of your home, and any other dark area will repel them from emerging.
Finally, use limited chemical sprays only on spot treatment; keep your guinea pigs away from sprayed areas until completely dry. With any luck, these tips will help keep your guinea pig free from harm and spider danger.
Conclusion
While having a guinea pig may help reduce the number of spiders in your home by deterring them with its scent, it isn’t guaranteed to work every time. So be sure to keep up with regular cleaning habits and consider adding some natural spider-repellent plants near windowsills.
Most importantly, be sure that your furry friend cannot come into contact with any potentially dangerous spider species, as this can put their health at risk.
