December 13th, 2022
Sooner or later, most homeowners are bound to encounter a few spiders in their homes. After all, the United States is home to some 3,500 different species, and it’s not always obvious which ones are dangerous. If you’re wondering why these unwelcome arachnids are entering your home and how to get rid of them, you’re not alone.
Like any living creature, spiders are simply interested in survival and often enter human spaces to find food, water, or shelter. Common house spiders are no different – they’re searching for the best place to survive. Here are some of the reasons spiders wander indoors.
One of the most common contributors to pests like spiders entering the home is a sudden change in the weather. While it’s a myth that spiders will move indoors when it starts getting colder outside, they may seek shelter in a climate-controlled home to escape extreme heat and drought. Heavy rains and severe storms can also drive them inside.
Another reason spiders may enter your home is to seek out food. Common insects spiders prey upon include moths, cockroaches, fruit flies, and beetles. If you notice other types of pests around the home, you may also begin to see predators like house spiders.
Spiders hide in dark, isolated areas where human activity is rare. For an average house, this could be in crawl spaces, in the basement, or under the bathroom sink. Sometimes, disturbing these dark spaces can drive spiders out into the open.
Since spiders often rely on catching flies in their webs for food, they seek out fruit or fruit trees. To prevent unwelcome hitchhikers, carefully check fruit before bringing it indoors. This is especially important for fruit you picked yourself, but spiders have also found their way into homes through supermarket produce.
Aside from food and shelter, spiders need access to a water supply to survive. This may be partly why homeowners often find spiders in bathtubs or nearby sinks. Standing water may also provide an excellent breeding ground for other insects and attract spiders nearby.
Most spiders find ways to enter homes undetected through the gaps under exterior doors, cracks around windows, or ripped window screens. However, most homes today likely already contain spiders hidden in the recesses of an attic, garage, or basement. To encourage spiders already in the home to leave, it can help to clean the house regularly and clear out any cluttered, dark spaces where spiders prefer to hide. Remember, spiders typically will not remain in areas with consistent human activity, so keeping the home clean is the best way to ensure spiders never enter the house in the first place.
It can be frustrating to deal with a spider infestation, especially if you’re unfamiliar with how they behave and how to remove them properly. Don’t get discouraged if you’re tired of dealing with spiders and don’t know what to do. Here are answers to a few simple questions about spiders that homeowners tend to ask.
Most human beings have a natural aversion to spiders, and for a good reason. Several types of spiders in the United States are venomous to humans, including the black widow, the brown recluse spider, and the wolf spider. Unfortunately, the vast spectrum of spider species can make it quite difficult for the average person to properly identify which spiders are dangerous and which are relatively harmless. It’s best to err on the side of caution and regard all spiders as potentially dangerous. If you happen to see a spider and are unsure which type it is, contact a pest control professional for guidance.
Homeowners can discourage spiders from entering their homes in several ways. First, seal any obvious entry points by adding door draft stoppers under exterior entry points and ensure that all breaches in the home’s exterior are sealed. Next, take the time to thoroughly clean the home, removing any sources of water or food for spiders.
Depending on the extent of the infestation, getting rid of spiders can be challenging. It’s not advisable to attempt removing these pests yourself, and it’s never a good idea to pick up a spider if you’re not sure about its species. What if you’re about to come in contact with wolf spiders or a troop of black widows? Instead, contact a trusted professional who has experience with spiders and knows how to best remedy the problem.
At Budget Brothers Termite & Pest, our team of seasoned technicians has all the knowledge and resources needed to tackle your spider problem. Rely on us to remove these uninvited guests from your home so you can get back to life as normal. When you’re ready to resolve your spider issue once and for all, reach out to our team at Budget Brothers Termite & Pest to receive your free estimate.
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