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This varies based on the circumstance. Chemical-based pest control baits and poisons are usually the most potent, but they are unsafe to use around children and pets, so they won’t be a fit for every household.

Safer alternatives, such as boric acid and food-grade diatomaceous earth, can work as well, though they should still stay out of reach. Aside from that, the best thing any DIY-er can do is make their place uninviting by sealing off entry points, eliminating clutter, and maintaining a clean home.

Spiders have lots of scent-sensitive hairs on their legs. Scented oils they aren’t fans of can act as a natural spider repellent to help keep their populations at bay when you rub them around your home’s entry points. Studies suggest mint and chestnut oils are two scents that spiders hate.

It is highly unlikely that fleas will go away on their own without treatment. Female fleas can lay dozens of eggs per day—up to 50—causing their numbers to multiply quickly and spread throughout your home. An adult flea can live for around 100 days or even up to a year as long as it has access to a host, such as a pet or human. Even without a host to feed on, fleas can survive for weeks. Because of their rapid reproduction and resilience, it's best to tackle a flea problem as soon as possible. Hiring an exterminator is recommended to prevent the infestation from worsening.

While carpet beetles won’t bite you like bed bugs do, they still aren’t pests you’d want to find in your home. Carpet beetles in their larva stage can be voracious and cause a lot of damage as they eat through fabrics on furniture, clothing, bedding, rugs, and other materials. If you see carpet beetles, you’ll want to have an exterminator come by to assess the damage and control the infestation.