How to Identify and Get Rid of Spiders

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How to Get Rid of Spiders

Being afraid of spiders is not uncommon. Many people will do whatever they can to kill them or just not be around them, others develop an intense psychological fear known as arachnophobia. Wherever you fall on the fear of spider’s scale, one thing is certain, you don’t want them creeping around your home.

Since spiders feed on other pests like ants, cockroaches, flies and mosquitoes, you could have more than a spider problem inside your home. The best way to eliminate the threat from your home is by using the services of a professional pest control company.

How to Identify Spiders

There are more than 3,500 species of spiders in the United States, but it’s likely you will only encounter or know about a handful of them. Most of the spiders we see are harmless, but there are a couple that you will want to stay away from, since their bite can cause serious harm to you or your family members.

Black Widow Spiders

Adult black widow spiders are black, shiny and have a red hourglass shape on their abdomen. Younger black widows are orange and white; they get darker as they age. You can find them all over the United States, but are most common in the South where the temperature is warmer. Black widows prefer dry, dark places like under decks or stones, in firewood piles or hollow tree stumps. You can also find them in sheds or barns. Their webs will be near the ground. Female black widows will bite if they feel threatened. Fever, sweating, nausea, increased blood pressure and pain are all symptoms of a black widow bite. It’s important to seek medical attention if you have been bitten by one of these spiders.

Brown Recluse Spiders

Brown recluse spiders are light to dark brown in color and have a dark brown violin-shaped marking on their back. They are most common in the central Midwest portion of the U.S. They like warm, dark, dry environments so you are likely to find them in woodpiles and debris outside. Crawl spaces, closets and attics are common indoor hiding places. You’ll also find them under furniture, baseboards and window moldings and inside storage containers. They feed on cockroaches and crickets, so if you have problems with those type of pests, you’re likely to have a problem with brown recluses. Brown recluse spiders bite when they feel threatened. If you’re bitten, you’ll feel a stinging sensation and then intense pain. Symptoms also include fever, difficulty sleeping and restlessness. It’s best to seek medical attention if you get bitten by a brown recluse.

House Spiders

House spiders are common throughout the U.S. and are mostly found indoors. They are a yellowish-brown color with a long abdomen area. You will find their webs near windows and eaves. They like to be near light sources to attract food. House spiders can generally be found in sheds, barns and garages, as well as in closets and under furniture. They may bite you if they feel threatened, but fortunately pose very little threat to humans.

Jumping Spiders

Jumping spiders are black, short-legged and have brightly colored hair or scales. You will find them throughout the U.S. and unlike most spiders, they like sunshine and are active during the day. You’ll find them outside on tree bark, fences, decks and bushes, as well as under boards and stones. Inside, you’ll see them around doors and windows. Jumping spiders are likely more afraid of you than you are of them and will often run away instead of attack if they feel threatened.

Long-bodied Cellar Spiders

You may know cellar spiders better as “daddy long legs.” They have long, skinny legs and pale yellow to light brown colored bodies. You’ll find them throughout the U.S. Cellar spiders hide out in moist places high in humidity. So, you’ll find them in barns, garages, sheds, warehouses, basements and crawl spaces. They also like closets, ceilings, windows and sink cabinets. Fortunately, they don’t bite or pose any threat to humans.

Wolf Spiders

This type of spider is large, hairy and dark brown. It has long, spiny legs and pale stripes. You’ll find them all over the U.S. under leaves, firewood, stones, landscape timbers and other debris. They often can be brought inside with firewood. You’ll find wolf spiders on the floor under furniture or near walls. This type of spider doesn’t spin webs and rarely bites.

Preventing Spider Infestations

Spiders don’t carry diseases and are actually incredibly useful in getting rid of other common pests, but that doesn’t mean you want them in your house or around your family. The best option to rid your home and property is by calling a professional pest control service. But there are a few things you can try to do yourself and see if it helps your spider problem.

  • Try Diatomaceous Earth (DE). You can spread DE around the outside of your home to keep spiders from getting inside. You can also use it in hard-to-reach areas, like the back of the cabinets, inside your home. DE causes dehydration in spiders and then death, so you will want to make sure you check the areas inside where you lay it and clean up any dead spiders.
  • Use peppermint oil. Spiders don’t like the smell and will avoid it. So, mix the essential oil with water and spray it along your floor, in corners and near doors and windows. Eucalyptus oil also works in the same way.
  • Use vinegar. Mix up white vinegar and water and spray it directly on spiders. The vinegar will burn the spider, killing it.
  • Try a trap. Spider traps are made with glue, so once the spider gets on it, it can’t get out. Traps are best if you’re trying to get rid of a few spiders, but not an infestation.
  • Try a spray. A spider spray can be used under furniture, in corners and along baseboards, but they do leave a residue. Sprays will kill spiders on contact.

You’ll most likely begin to see spiders inside during the fall since they will be searching for a warm place to spend the winter. Vacuum your home regularly and get rid of any webs you see to help prevent them. While the weather is still warm, inspect your property and fix any gaps under doors or in walls where spiders, or any pest, could get inside. And move the firewood away from your house, since spiders often like to nest in it.

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Getting Rid of Spiders in Your House

Treatment Methods for Spiders

If spiders are in your home, it means they consider it a quiet place to build webs and catch insects. That could point to other issues – like a fly infestation or increased mosquito activity in and around your property. That’s why it’s important to allow a professional pest control company to treat your home. At Ehrlich, our specialists know what to look for and how to safely identify what type of spiders you have.

Step 1: Free Inspection

Call us to make an appointment. We will be glad to schedule a time that works best for you. Our pest control professional will thoroughly inspect your property for free and determine where the spiders are hiding and why they are there to begin with.

Step 2: Customized Plan

We will offer comprehensive recommendations on the best treatment plan for your particular issue. We will give you a price quote and answer any questions you may have.

Step 3: Protection and Prevention

To get rid of your spider problem, we may have to treat for other pests as well, since spiders feed on a number of common household pests.

Our treatment plans may include:

  • Getting rid of the spider’s food source by using specific treatments for other types of pests.
  • Determining the type of spider you have and targeting the treatment for it.
  • Knocking down and cleaning away any and all existing spider webs.

Professional Spider Treatment

Ehrlich technicians are skilled and regularly participate in pest control training while learning the most up to date methods of how best to treat spiders and other pests. We know what to look for, understand the habits of all types of spiders and know the best and most effective ways to treat any problems you may be having. We find the source and eliminate it. You can count on us for continual protection from spiders and the pests they are attracted to.

Ehrlich’s Spider Services

Whatever pest control issue you may have, Ehrlich is here to help. Our pest control specialists are highly trained, licensed and certified professionals who use the latest technology, treatment and tools to eliminate your current problems and prevent future infestations. We have been protecting homes and businesses from pests since 1928 – we’d be honored to protect yours too.