Spider Pest Control

All spiders have four pairs of legs, two main body regions, and fangs. Most spiders have eight eyes, although some have six. Spiders vary in color and size depending on their species. All spiders will either fall under the category of hunting spiders, also known as outdoor spiders, or web building spiders, also known as indoor spiders. Hunting spiders do not weave webs, and while they mostly stay outside, they may accidentally enter a home or business. If they do enter, they will probably not live long because their method of sitting and waiting on their prey as opposed to catching it in a web will ultimately lead to them having limited access to food. Hunting spiders include crab spiders, fishing spiders, jumping spiders, parson spiders, sow-bug spiders, sac spiders, brown recluse spiders and wolf spiders. Web spiders produce a strong, elastic, and silky adhesive to build their webs and create egg sacs. Depending on their species, the webs they build may be cobweb, orb, or funnel shaped. Web spiders are more commonly encountered in homes and businesses than hunting spiders. Some types of web spiders are cobweb spiders, American house spiders, cellar spiders, orb weaver spiders, marbled orb weaver spiders, garden spiders, barn spiders, funnel weaver spiders, barn funnel weaver spiders, black widow spiders and grass spiders. Some species, when bothered or handled, can deliver a painful and potentially harmful bite.

A spider’s specific habitat depends on its species. Some types gravitate towards damper areas, like basements and crawlspaces. Others prefer dry climates like the upper corners of rooms and attics. Generally, spiders will hide in dark areas that are not fully visible, which is why they are often found in storage spaces, light fixtures, garages, and sheds.

Spiders can enter homes or businesses through cracks and crevices, any small spaces, like the gaps around doors and windows. They may enter in search of food, moisture, mates, or shelter. Spiders may be attracted to a property by favorable living environments or the presence of insects and other prey. They can also travel into a building on objects such as firewood, plants, camping equipment, or items that have been in a storage area.

Spiders tend to be most active when the males come out to mate, which is usually during August and September. The spiders seen during this time are more than likely males that have been hiding inside throughout the year and are now searching for mates. Generally, they are not spiders that wandered in from the outside, as is commonly assumed, although a few may be. Spiders are cold-blooded and do not have a mechanism that allows them to regulate body temperature. Because of this, most spiders enter a stage of diapause during the winter, which is similar to hibernation.

In order to prevent spiders from entering a home or business, it is important to seal off any possible entrances. This means caulking around windows and doors, fixing or replacing faulty screens, and filling in any gaps or cracks in the walls and foundation. Cleaning and removing dust and spider webs regularly can deter spiders from taking up residence. Shutting off outdoor lights at night will attract fewer insects, which will in turn attract fewer spiders. Keep all outdoor plants at least 1 foot away from the outside of the home, as spiders like to hide in their leaves and folds. Check objects that spent any period of time outdoors or in a storage area for the presence of spiders before bringing them inside. Spiders are a nuisance and, depending on the species, can be dangerous, so to get rid of spiders on your property call EXCEL today and have one of our experts visit you.