Steps to Eliminate Spiders In the House

A spider crawling up the wall or walking across the room floor is sure to get our attention, I have seen spiders hanging out in bathtubs and other areas of the house. But why do spiders invade our homes and what are they in search of, just like other structural pests that invade our homes for food, water, and shelter spiders are no different. Spiders are also drawn to lights and other spiders that are lurking in the home for mating but are spiders harmful and if yes what can we do to discourage them from our homes while staying safe?

Are House Spiders Dangerous

While common house spiders are harmless there are 2 that are extremely dangerous the Black Widow and the Brown recluse. The black widow is shiny and black with a telltale red hourglass-shaped marking. The black widow spider can be found around woodpiles and other undisturbed areas, symptoms of a black widow spider bite include sweating, nausea, fever, and increased blood pressure.

The brown recluse is light to dark brown with violin-shaped markings on its back, these spiders like to hang out in crawlspaces, attics, closets, debris, and woodpiles outdoors. If bitten with a brown recluse symptoms are fever, difficulty sleeping, a burning sensation at the side of the bite, restlessness, and in rare cases their bite besides painful can produce open ulcerating sores. Medical attention should be sought right away if bitten by a poisonous spider.

Caution: Word of caution, please be aware of poisonous spiders and call in a professional to do the job for you, you may have to spend a few bucks but what’s a few bucks compared to staying safe so let those who are trained take care of your spider issues.

Common Places for House Spiders

Here are common places in the home where spiders hang out.

• Under the sink where they can find water.
• Woodpiles.
• Wall decorations
• Sheds
• Cracks
• Under furniture.
• Under door frames.
• In clutter.
• The corner of the ceiling.
• In closets
• Window sills.
• The garage.
• Well-lite spaces for example lamp lights
• Cardboard Boxes.

Note: It is best to consider calling first a professional company to do the job for you.

Proven Methods for Spider Control

• Inspection – The first step in spider control is inspection both out and indoors, can you visibility see spiders, are spider webs or cobwebs in areas that are being inspected? Inspect the corners of your home including cracks, eaves, and crevices.
• Look for Other Pests – One of the reasons why spiders invade our homes is to search for a food source, if there are other pests in your home such as roaches and other bugs is a clear indication that spiders might be present. Eliminating these bugs will bring control to the spider population.
• Look for Cracks and Gaps –  Check for cracks around the frames of doors and windows, and look for gaps in the foundation.
• Cut vegetation back –  Cut all vegetation back that is making contact with the sides of the building including doors and windows. Insects and rodents use limbs and branches as highways or bridges to travel from one point to the next. Rodents and insects can also gain access to homes and buildings if limbs and branches are allowed to grow over roofs. Insects and rodents can climb trees to get onto roofs and then seek an entry point.

Seal All Entry Points

Once all entry points have been discovered seal off these points to prevent future re-infestation.

• Patch All Holes – Using silicone caulk patch holes that are found in the foundation.
• Install door sweeps that fit securely – A spot that overlooks sometimes is beneath the door that is a common entry point for insects, install tightly fitted door sweeps to keep spiders and other insects out.
• Spring Cleaning – Stacks of newspaper, cardboard boxes, etc.. should be disposed of because spiders and other pests will be attracted to these conditions.
• Mesh Screens – Mesh Screens can be used to seal entry points in exterior and interior vents.
• The Installation of Screens – Use screens for doors and windows that are always open.
• Repair Screens with fine mesh wire – Torn window and door screens make a good entry point for spiders, other insects, and rodents so repair any damaged screens.
• Caulk and Seal gaps – Sealing and caulking gaps around windows and downs will safeguard against spiders from entering.

How to Get Rid of Spiders

• Web Removal – The first step to spider control is to apply a pesticide that is labeled for spiders and that is safe to use indoors, once the spider comes into contact with the pesticide they will be killed. Once there is no more spider activity use a duster, broom, or a handheld vacuum to remove webbing.
• Removing outdoor spider webs – Use a long-handled brush to remove webs in high-up corners for example eaves, and the corners between ceiling and walls.
• Wash Duster – Wash your duster in a mixture of bleach a little soap liquid and water, if any spiders or egg sacks get caught up in your duster fiber will be eliminated.

Spot Treat for Control

A common practice to control small spider populations is to spot-treat them with insecticides that will provide a quick knockdown. Carry out spot treatment both in and outdoors, these insecticides can be purchased from food stores, convenience stores, and garden centers.

How to Prevent Spiders from Your Home

• Get rid of clutter.
• Ensure that all food particles are swept up.
• Confine the preparation or consumption of foods in one or two rooms.
• If possible turn off outside lights at night because insects including spiders are attracted to bright lights, but if your outdoor lights are for security purposes then by all means keep them on during night hours.
• Clean countertops and tables after each meal to remove food particles.
• The perimeter of your home should be cleared of firewood piles, leaf piles, etc… these piles provide warmth for spiders along with being a hiding place.

Apply Insecticide Around the Perimeter

Applying a perimeter insecticide around your home will help in the control of spiders but before insecticide application always read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for safety and the best results.

• Areas of the home – Perimeter sprays should be applied to areas where spiders are mostly seen for example attics, crawlspaces, spacers under the porch, and eaves.
• Insecticide Choices – There are many brands of insecticides for spider control but for effective use apply insecticides that contain residual pyrethroids, silica aerogel, fipronil, chlorfenapry, or acetamiprid. Microencapsulated formulas or wettable powder suspensions are ideal because of their ability to stick to the spider’s body giving a quick knockdown because they provide long residual protection on most surfaces. For marine areas and other sensitive spots, use a botanical treatment around the perimeter but these sprays must be applied more frequently.
• Dust Formulations – For artics, crawlspaces, void areas, and other hard-to-reach places dust formulations are ideal.
• Don’t Overlook Dark Corners – Pay special or close attention to dark corners both indoors and outdoors.
• Venomous Spiders – If an infestation of venomous spiders is discovered apply insecticides to foundation plantings, rock gardens, and other areas of the landscape, or if you are not sure call in a trained professional to do the job for you.

The Use of Spider Traps

The use of traps is an ideal way to control the spider population, caution when placing traps keep them from kids and children so they cannot have access to them.

• Sticky traps should be placed in areas where spider activity is or has been noticed, some places for example are under appliances, crawl spaces attics, under cabinets, and corners.
• If placing traps near boards check and replace traps every 30 days because is common to gather dust, once the dust gets on the sticky trap will not be as effective because the dust will coat the glue.

Bonus for You

Please be aware of these poisonous spiders

• Wolf spider
• Redback spider
• Funnel-web spider
• The black-red or yellow widow spider
• Hobo spider
• The Brown recluse
• Bazilian wandering spider
• Yellow sac spider

Conclusion

While some house spiders may not be harmful others raise concern because of being poisonous, spiders like other insects are in search of a food source, water source, shelter, and a place to raise their young. The population control of spiders is possible, as soon as spiders are spotted it’s best to eliminate them, if you have a spider infestation then contact us so we can put a plan in place that’s effective and will get rid of your spider problem.