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An Ideal Home report says spiders may shelter in the narrow, undisturbed gap behind picture frames. Pest-management expert Mosh Latifi recommends dusting behind frames weekly during September and October, while an art-care specialist advises using a soft, slightly damp cloth on frame surfaces.
The gap behind picture frames can provide spiders with a dark, sheltered place to hide, according to an Ideal Home report that cites a pest-management expert. The report recommends a quick, regular dusting behind frames—weekly during September and October. Latifi says this routine makes a meaningful difference to how many spiders choose to settle there.
Mosh Latifi, co-owner of EcoCare Pest Management, told Ideal Home that spiders are drawn to tight spaces where they can touch surfaces on several sides. The narrow space between a frame and a wall can offer that contact, along with darkness and protection from disturbance. Latifi also said small insects and dust mites around warm walls can be part of a spider’s food supply.
Latifi said dusting disrupts the still conditions in which spiders may settle and removes old cobweb remnants that could signal an established hiding place. His recommendation is to dust behind frames once a week during spider season in September and October. The report does not provide trial data or a measured reduction in spiders; the advice is attributed to the expert.
Julia Kindermann, a manager at Custtom, advised using a soft, slightly damp cloth and gentle circular motions when cleaning the artwork or frame surface. She said clean water is usually sufficient and cautioned that scouring pads or harsh materials can damage canvas or remove ink. Kindermann said it is rarely necessary to take a print down completely for routine checks and light dusting.
A Small Cleaning Habit for Frames
For people who want to discourage spiders indoors, the report offers a simple maintenance step that does not require sprays or specialist equipment: check and dust behind picture frames. Latifi says dusting makes a meaningful difference to how many spiders choose to settle in the space, and routine cleaning can also remove dust and cobweb traces.
The report describes spiders in UK homes as generally not harmful, while recognizing that some residents prefer not to have them indoors. Latifi’s advice focuses on disturbing the sheltered space behind frames where spiders may settle.
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Why Frames Can Offer Shelter
The report’s explanation centers on the conditions behind a hanging frame rather than on the artwork itself. Latifi described spiders as attracted to enclosed spaces with physical contact on multiple sides. A frame can create a narrow, dark gap that receives little disturbance, and a wall may provide warmth and access to small insects.
Kindermann said frames in naturally damp places are worth checking now and then for warping. A warped frame can pull away from the wall and create a larger gap. Her advice is to inspect and dust periodically, rather than routinely removing prints from the wall.
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What the Advice Does Not Establish
The report does not quantify how many spiders hide behind picture frames or how much weekly dusting reduces their presence. Latifi’s advice is expert guidance reported by Ideal Home, not a result accompanied by a cited controlled test. The source also does not establish that dusting will get rid of spiders for good, despite that promise in the original headline.
Whether a particular frame offers a suitable hiding place will depend on its position, the gap behind it, and conditions in the room. The report gives no detailed guidance for identifying spider species or dealing with a significant infestation.
soft damp cleaning cloth for artwork
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Check Frames During Routine Cleaning
Homeowners can check for dust, cobweb remnants, or a frame pulling away from the wall during their usual cleaning routine. Latifi’s suggested schedule is weekly dusting in September and October; the report does not prescribe a fixed schedule for the rest of the year.
Use a duster behind the frame and follow Kindermann’s advice for artwork surfaces: choose a soft, slightly damp cloth and avoid abrasive materials. Kindermann says frames in naturally damp places are worth checking now and then for signs of warping. Latifi says weekly dusting makes a meaningful difference to how many spiders choose to settle behind frames.
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Key Questions
Where might spiders hide behind picture frames?
They may shelter in the narrow gap between a frame and the wall, which can be 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 does not give a measured result or a year-round schedule.
Will dusting get rid of spiders permanently?
The report does not establish that. Latifi says disturbing the space may make it less appealing, but permanent removal is not confirmed.
How should artwork be cleaned?
Julia Kindermann recommends a soft, slightly damp cloth and gentle circular motions. She says clean water is usually enough and warns that abrasive pads can damage canvas or ink.
Should frames near damp areas be checked?
Yes. Kindermann says frames near places such as bathrooms or exterior walls should be checked occasionally for warping, which can pull a frame away from the wall and widen the gap.
Source: rss
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