TL;DR
Get cleaning gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Ideal Home reports that the narrow, dark space behind picture frames can attract spiders and recommends occasional light dusting to disturb the area. Pest-management expert Mosh Latifi says weekly dusting during September and October may make frames less appealing, but the report does not establish that a five-minute task removes spiders permanently.
Spiders may shelter behind picture frames, where the narrow gap between a frame and the wall offers a dark, relatively undisturbed space, according to a home-care report from Ideal Home. The report recommends lightly dusting behind frames as a simple way to disturb potential hiding places, but it does not show that a five-minute task can get rid of spiders permanently.
Mosh Latifi, co-owner of EcoCare Pest Management, told Ideal Home that spiders are drawn to enclosed spaces that touch their bodies on several sides. He said the space behind a frame can also be dark and protected from disturbance, while small insects and dust mites nearby may provide food.
Latifi recommends dusting behind frames once a week during September and October, which he identifies as spider season. He said disturbing the area can make it less suitable for spiders to settle and can remove old web remnants. His comments describe a preventive measure; they do not establish that cleaning will eliminate spiders already in a home.
Julia Kindermann, a manager at Custtom, advises cleaning delicate picture surfaces with a soft, slightly damp cloth and gentle circular motions. She says water is usually enough and warns that abrasive pads or harsh cleaning could damage a print. Frames near damp areas or exterior walls should also be checked for warping, which can create a larger gap behind them.
A Small Task, With Limits
Checking behind frames gives householders a straightforward way to disturb a spot that is easy to overlook during routine cleaning. It may also reveal dust, old webbing, or a frame that has pulled away from the wall. That makes the advice relevant both to spider prevention and to basic care of wall art.
However, the advice is not a guaranteed solution. The report offers expert explanations and recommendations, not test results comparing homes that dust behind frames with homes that do not. Readers should treat the weekly routine as a possible preventive step, rather than a promise to remove spiders for good.
dusting tools for behind picture frames
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Why Frames Can Offer Shelter
Latifi’s explanation centers on the physical conditions behind a frame: a tight, dark, undisturbed gap. He also points to insects and dust mites as part of the local food chain. The report does not claim every frame attracts spiders or that the space is more attractive than other sheltered areas in a home.
The article places the suggestion within a wider effort to reduce unwanted spiders by disturbing places they may settle. Its specific seasonal recommendation is a light dusting once a week in September and October. Kindermann’s separate advice focuses on avoiding damage to artwork while cleaning and checking whether moisture has caused a wooden frame to warp.
“A quick dust behind frames once a week during spider season in September and October makes a meaningful difference to how many choose to take up residence.”
— Mosh Latifi, speaking to Ideal Home
How Much Dusting Can Achieve
The report does not give evidence from a trial showing how much dusting reduces spider numbers, nor does it define a particular five-minute method. It also does not establish that the task can remove spiders “for good”, as the headline phrasing suggests. The timing and frequency are recommendations attributed to Latifi, not a guaranteed pest-control standard.
It remains unclear how often spiders use picture-frame gaps compared with other sheltered locations, and whether results vary by home, frame type, or local conditions. The report also does not discuss what readers should do if they find a large number of spiders or a species they cannot identify.
A Simple Seasonal Cleaning Check
Readers who want to try the suggestion can check behind frames during routine cleaning, with extra attention to the weekly schedule Latifi recommends for September and October. Use a soft, gentle cloth or duster; for delicate artwork, Kindermann advises a slightly damp cloth and cautions against abrasive materials. Check wooden frames near damp areas for signs of warping.
The report offers no follow-up data showing whether the practice reduces spider activity in homes. Its advice remains a low-effort preventive suggestion, not a substitute for professional pest-control advice where an infestation or safety concern is suspected.
Key Questions
Where does the report say spiders may hide?
It identifies the gap behind picture frames as a possible hiding place because it can be narrow, dark, and undisturbed.
How often does the expert recommend dusting?
Mosh Latifi recommends dusting behind frames once a week during September and October. The report presents this as advice, not a guaranteed schedule for every home.
Will a five-minute dusting get rid of spiders permanently?
The report does not establish that. It says disturbing the space may make it less appealing for spiders to settle; permanent removal is not demonstrated.
How should I clean a delicate picture frame or print?
Julia Kindermann advises using a soft, slightly damp cloth in gentle circular motions and says water is usually sufficient. She cautions against scouring pads and harsh cleaning products that could damage the artwork.
Source: rss
Fall Picks
fall essentials
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
