Have you ever picked up a box or something off of the floor and immediately saw a huge spider run across the floor? How about putting your foot into a shoe and finding out that your foot isn’t the only thing in the shoe? Needless to say… this is very upsetting. Our first reaction is to run with the spider… in the opposite direction of course. Unfortunately this will happen quite often in the winter time when you start bringing out your winter wear or shifting boxes around that have been stored for quite a while.
In order to control spiders we first need to remember a few facts:
- Spiders like dark, quiet places and when disturbed… some run… others bite.
- Most spiders are harmless to people and are incapable of biting.
- The most common biters are: Brown Recluse which causes health problems that can last for a year or more. Black Widows – their neurotoxins are so strong people can die if they get bitten too close to their heart.
- All spiders are beneficial predators that feed on insects, spiders, and other arthropods, and thus help reduce pest populations in and around homes, landscapes, gardens, and crops.
- There are actually two types of spiders found around homes commonly known as ground dwellers and web builders.
- Properties located in areas favorable to spiders, such as by rivers, lakes, or fields, are more likely to have large numbers of spiders.
- Spiders also will be more numerous in areas with a large supply of insects that serve as a food source for spiders.
As homeowners here are a few tips to control spiders in and around your home:
Let’s start indoors:
- Remove papers, boxes, bags, and other clutter to minimize their hiding places.
- Remove webbing with a broom or vacuum, and destroy any egg sacs and spiders that are found. Look especially around windows, in corners, and in relatively quiet places.
- Glue boards or cockroach traps which can be purchased at your local store can be used to trap spiders. Place the glue boards along walls, under furniture and appliances, and in other undisturbed locations.
- Eliminate insects that serve as a food supply, especially when large numbers exist. Check particularly in and under webs to see what insects have been captured.
Now for outdoors:
- Remove piles of bricks, firewood, and other debris that may serve as suitable homes for spiders or move them further from your home.
- Keep grassy or weedy areas near sheds or out buildings cut short.
- Trim back shrubs and other plants that directly contact your home.
- Periodically remove webs with a broom, vacuum, or a hard spray of water.
- Remove and destroy any egg sacs or spiders that are found.
- Check to be sure screens fit tightly. Replace any screens that fit poorly or are damaged.
- Reduce outside lighting to minimize attraction of insect prey that can encourage spiders. Yellow lights are less attractive to insects than mercury or sodium vapor lights. When possible, place security lights on a pole shining toward a door rather than on the building above the door. This will reduce attracting insects that spiders feed on to the building.
- Caulk or seal cracks or gaps around the foundation, doors, and ground level windows.
As you can see spiders are difficult to control and most home owners do not have the time to take the necessary steps to keep the population down.
If you think you have a spider infestation and want to protect your home and family contact your local pest control company.