Did you know that there are approximately 3500 species of spiders in the US? Although they can live in any habitat on earth, you can mostly find them in undisturbed areas and hidden spaces.
Most of these eight-legged pests aren’t harmful to humans or large pets. They include; orb spiders, jumping spiders, wolf spiders, cellar spiders, and house spiders. The only two dangerous spider species are the brown recluse and the black widow found in the US.
Now, whether harmful or harmless, no one wants spiders in their homes. Some have large bodies that will just scare you! Since they are unobtrusive, they blend into their surroundings, making them hard to spot.
What Attracts Spider?
Spiders can get into your home in various ways. They like hidden spaces and undisturbed areas. You’re most likely to find them underneath the basement, behind bookshelves, in a bundle of firewood, among others. Additionally, they can enter your home through small spaces and openings.
Also, you can transport dangerous or exotic spiders along with a shipment of fruits or vegetables, although these instances are rare. Therefore, it’s essential to inspect and wash any produce you carry home.
Various things can attract spiders to your house. They include;
• Leaving trash can open; if you leave trash cans open, it will attract flies which will attract spiders.
• Dampness and humidity; spiders like moisture as it forms a perfect ground for hunting their prey.
• Lights; if it’s dark, and you leave your lights on, you’re likely to attract spiders in your home. When insects surround a bright light, they might attract spiders as well.
• House plants; most insects feed on plants, and if there are more bugs inside your house, there might be more spiders as well.
Ideally, spiders will want to be anywhere insects are.
Spider Habitat
You don’t want your house to be home to spiders. Since there are multiple species of spiders, their habitats vary. Some spiders live indoors, while others thrive in the outside environment. Regardless of where they live, spiders are always looking for a place to find food, shelter, and water.
It takes less than a day for spiders to spin a web. They use the webs to trap and catch insects/prey. And because they are nocturnal, spiders come out at night more than during the day. They stay hidden in the dark to make webs and avoid predators.
A web that is still in use is called a spider web. An abandoned web is what you call the cobweb. The spiders will leave a web that does not catch insects to build a new one. However, some spiders do not build webs. A spider will prefer to create a web in a busier location as long as it catches prey.
How to Identify a Harmful Spider
Why should you kill a spider that has no threat to your health or that of your pets? Immediately you see a spider; you’ll want to get rid of it by all means (which is what almost everyone does). But what if you could differentiate between a dangerous and a non-dangerous spider? You wouldn’t want to kill every spider you come across because most of them are harmless and just looking for food and shelter.
The brown recluse and the black window are the only two spider species you should worry about when they infest your house.
The Brown Recluse
The brown recluse has a dark brown violin shape and is mainly found in the southeast and Midwest of the United States.
This spider species has secretive behaviors, and it prefers warm, dry, and dark environments like basements, woodpiles, and closets. The brown recluse bites when trapped, and the bite is often unintentional. Its venom is hemotoxic hence affecting blood cells and could activate local necrosis. It may also cause allergic reactions, especially in children or the elderly.
When bitten by a brown recluse, you won’t feel immediate pain. However, you’ll experience symptoms like joint pain, fever, weakness, nausea, and chills in about 24 to 36 hours. Brown recluse spiders are shy; they only bite when they feel threatened.
The Black Widow
These are the most notorious spiders on earth. They are common in the United States, specifically in western and southern states. You’ll notice a red coloration on the bottom of a black widow’s abdomen. Sometimes, the northern black widow spiders have white, red, or orange spots or bands along their legs and bodies.
The female black widow is twice the size of the male black widow spider. Their bites affect the central nervous system and are considered the most venomous, especially in North America.
You’re most likely to find them around woodpiles, in boxes, under eaves, and other undisturbed areas. Their venom contains a neurotoxin, which causes immediate pain after a bite. The pain spreads to other parts of the body, including the chest. Additionally, a black widow spider will leave two puncture marks on your skin after a bite.
How to Get Rid of Spiders in Your Home
Although most spiders are not dangerous unless they feel threatened, some people just can’t live with them. There are various ways to get rid of spiders in your home. The most effective way is to cut access to their food sources. For this, you’ll need to control or treat other pests in your home.
Search and seal all entry points to prevent pests from accessing your house and attracting spiders. Keep all spider-vulnerable parts of your home clean and clutter-free. Store your clothes and shoes in plastic bins and avoid leaving them on the floor.
Inspect any item brought to your house from outside, including groceries, used appliances, decoration boxes, and many more. Sweep/vacuum away webs around your home.
If you don’t allow a spider to bite you, it won’t. Besides, the brown recluse and the black widow are the only harmful spider species. A pest control technician can help you identify the type of spider in your home and also help you get rid of it. However, the best way to control spiders is to prevent other insects (preys) from inhabiting your home. If you suspect spider infestation in your home, reach out to Avista Pest Control for a consultation.