Pests in the home are a perennial problem whether you live in a town or city or in a remote location. Many household pests are harmless, but when it comes to spiders you need to be careful.
It is true that spiders will keep flies and other insects low in numbers, but some of the common types of spiders in the US are dangerous. Also, arachnophobia is surprisingly common, so you probably want rid of spiders as quickly as possible.
We will talk about a few DIY methods and some preventative tips later on, but a pest control company such as Majestic Pest Control of Melville will always be the best option if you want a quick and efficient solution. Let’s begin by looking at the types of spiders.
The Common Types of Spiders
The spiders most likely to be in your home will probably be one of the following species:
- Wolf Spider is a small burrowing spider that grows to around an inch. Commonly found in California, Missouri, and Texas, they can bite but are not deadly.
- Brown Recluse is found in most US states, and you can identify one by the ‘violin’ shaped mark on its back. The bite is poisonous and can be dangerous to some people.
- Black Widow is perhaps the most famous spider of all, exists in four separate species in the US, and its bite can cause very severe reactions.
- The tiny Yellow Sac Spider grows to just ¼” and while it does bite, the reaction is mild.
- Jumping Spiders are fascinating creatures and there are a few hundred species in the US. These are no longer than ¾” and while they may bite are entirely harmless.
- The Hobo Spider likes to live in dark spaces such as a basement and grows to an inch or more. They weave funnel webs, and the bite causes mild pain.
- Daddy Long Legs are commonplace and are entirely harmless, despite myths claiming otherwise.
- Grass Spiders are so called as they live in grass, and while harmless a breeding pair can very quickly create a colony that takes over your garden.
So, now we know the types of spiders likely to be in your home, we need to address the title and explain how a professional will get rid of them for you.
How the Experts Get Rid of Spiders
A professional pest control company will send personnel to your home to look for the signs of spiders. They will look especially for webs, which are created by all the spiders mentioned above and many more, but in different forms.
The first thing they will do is remove the webs. The web is not just the spiders’ home but is also there to trap insects for food. This can be unsightly and unhygienic in a home. The professionals will examine all the usual places where their expertise teaches them that spiders will be living.
A good pest control company will come to an agreement to attend your home regularly – either monthly or every other month – to perform a ‘dewebbing’ procedure, thus keeping your home as spider-free as is possible.
Once they have cleared the existing webs away, they will apply eco-friendly pesticides to the area which will repel spiders. Good pest control companies will offer a choice of organic or non-organic pesticides and will talk to the customer about their preferences.
The cost of professional spider removal may not be as high as you expect, so we recommend you check out a few service providers and request a quote for your spider removal. Now, we want to have a few words about DIY spider prevention tips, but to understand how to go about making your home uninviting to these creatures it helps to know why they come into your house in the first place.
Why Spiders Inhabit Your Home
Spiders come into your home for some very specific reasons. The first is that they require an environment that suits them to survive. If it becomes too cold or wet outside, they will find a way in via cracks in the wall or woodwork, or the likes of air bricks.
They also need food, and while they will follow ants or other prey into the home, they will also feed on waste food that is left in the open. Spiders generally prefer dark and secluded space rather than one that is in the open. This is why you will find them in your garage or basement, plus crawlspaces and attics. They will come indoors to mate, too, so you need to get rid of them quickly before a pair becomes a colony.
Check your home for cracks and other potential spider entry points and put fine mesh over air bricks to prevent entry. There are some further things you can do to pest-proof your home against spiders, so let’s look at some DIY tips.
DIY Spider Proofing Tips
Here are a few things you can do to help keep spiders at bay:
Buy Spider traps that attract the spiders and kill them as they get stuck in them.
Vacuum away webs and spiders as soon as you see them.
Vinegar is a natural spider repellent so when sprayed regularly in the areas they prefer to live in will keep them away.
A spider catcher is a useful item that you can buy from many stores to humanely move the creatures outdoors. Be aware that if the weather is cold or wet, they will do their best to get back in!
Clean up leftovers after a meal and dispose of them in a sealed bin, removing the additional food source that will attract them.
Final Words
Most spiders are harmless, yet you don’t want them in your home. If you are seeing a lot of spiders or just a few it may be time to get the professionals in to give you a price for spider removal services.
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