Spiders

Like ants, spiders are common invaders of our homes and outbuildings. While they prefer to live outside, they often move inside as they follow prey or while searching for a dry, sheltered place to lay their eggs. Once inside, many species will build and abandon nests throughout your home and become an annoying pest problem. While most species of spiders are not dangerous, most people do not want to find these leggy creatures dangling from the corners of their homes regularly. In our area, the most common species entering our homes are the black widow spider, wolf spider, funnel-web spider, lawn spider, and garden spider. Spiders are not insects; they are arachnids. Arachnids have two body segments, eight legs, and many eyes. Also, spiders, whether they build webs or not, produce silk.

In our area, the spider species you need to be most aware of and avoid contact with is the black widow. These spiders are dangerous, not because they are aggressive; in fact, bites from these spiders usually only happen accidentally. They are dangerous because their venom is strong enough to cause health problems in people, including intense pain at the bite site, stomach pains, fever, chills, and nausea. Knowing where spiders like to hide both inside and outside of your home is important and will help you avoid accidental contact. Tall grass, gardens, spaces under decks, gaps behind window shutters and shingles, and woodpiles are some of their favorite outside hideouts. Indoor hiding spots that spiders favor include the corners of rooms and windows, window sills, closets, basements, crawlspaces, and areas underneath furniture.

Keep spiders out of your home with the help of the professionals at J&M Pest Control and the following prevention tips. Make your home difficult for spiders to move into by sealing cracks in the foundation, replacing missing siding or shingles, placing covers over vents and drains leading into your home, and fixing torn or loose screens. If you spot any spiders in your house, use the vacuum to suck them up. Get rid of water sources that attract spiders by maintaining gutters, fixing leaking pipes, and fixing low lying areas. Reduce moisture levels in your home by using dehumidifiers, especially in the basement. Maintain your lawn and gardens to make it less attractive to spiders and the insects they eat.