HOUSE SPIDER CONTROL LEVITTOWN PA
As their name suggests, this species of arachnid frequently is found in human habitations. Moreover, there are millions of them, making them a common problem in households across Levittown.
Common house spiders usually spin webs in the upper corners of rooms, and generally are considered harmless. In fact, some people see them as beneficial neighbors because they consume large number of other pests.
Still, the fact that spiders have made their way inside suggests that the home's exterior has holes and cracks that are allowing pests to infiltrate the structure. This may mean that other potentially destructive and dangerous pests also may be infesting the home.
WHAT THE COMMON HOUSE SPIDER LOOKS LIKE
Common house spiders are quite small with females measuring between five and eight millimeters and males reaching a maximum of four millimeters. Generally brown or gray in color, common house spiders are adorned with chevron markings. Their bodies are divided into two segments: the abdomen and the cephalothorax, and they have eight eyes.
WHERE DOES THE COMMON HOUSE SPIDER LIVE?
The common house spider is regularly seen in homes, businesses, and outdoor areas. They prefer dark locations, but will spin webs in practically any location. Once a web is removed, a spider may spin a web in the same spot within a few days. Likewise, one spider will spin multiple webs throughout a structure.
WHAT DO COMMON HOUSE SPIDERS EAT?
Common house spiders survive on a steady diet of insects. Because they eat mosquitoes, flies, ants, moths, fleas, cockroaches and earwigs, they may be considered a form of natural pest control.
Spiders easily can survive for several weeks without a meal. When insects are readily available, they will eat on a frequent basis, perhaps as much as four times each day.
WHERE DO COMMON HOUSE SPIDERS LIVE?
This species is adapted to spend its entire life cycle within a human habitation. Accordingly, it is rare to encounter this species in the garden or in a web that is clinging to the exterior of a building.
Instead, they spin a funnel-shaped web that may be placed in the corner of a ceiling or window. Another likely place to encounter a web is on a light fixture or near a water source, as this provides the spider with water while also attracting prey.
Common house spiders generally prefer web locations that are quiet and relatively undisturbed. They may choose a cluttered, dusty corner as the perfect home base. Typically, a web will be spun in one location, and if it does not capture sufficient prey, the spider will abandon it and build a new web somewhere else within the structure.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY COMMON HOUSE SPIDERS
This species is not known for causing damage to structures. Nonetheless, a large population of these arachnids means that the home may be littered with both active and abandoned webs. These unsightly nests must be cleaned up, and this can become a tiresome job for the homeowner.
Additionally, a large population of common house spiders suggests that there is a significant infestation of other pests upon which the arachnids are feeding. Some of these other pests may be destructive to the home or its contents. It also is possible that these pests are a threat to human health. Accordingly, it makes sense to take action whenever homeowners feel that they have an unreasonable number of spiders.
ARE COMMON HOUSE SPIDERS AGGRESSIVE?
This species prefers to build their webs in an out-of-the-way location that is not likely to be disturbed by people. It follows then that common house spiders are not aggressive toward people. In fact, these spiders will try to avoid a confrontation, preferring to spend their time resting in their web.
It may be possible to provoke a house spider to bite by grabbing it. Though they do have venom that is used to paralyze prey, this venom generally is transferred in such small amounts that a human is unlikely to have an adverse reaction to it.
DO COMMON HOUSE SPIDERS CARRY DISEASE?
Common house spiders are venomous, but this venom is really only used to paralyze insects. The species is not known to transmit any illnesses to people. Unfortunately, this cannot be said for many of the species upon which spiders feed. Fleas, ticks and other pests all may cause illnesses, and it is critical that such infestations be dealt with to protect the health of the home's occupants.
HOW TO DETECT THE COMMON HOUSE SPIDER
Signs of a common house spider presence include:
• Spiders seen indoors in the upper corners of rooms and windows
• Cob webs left behind in corners and on light fixtures
HOW TO PREVENT COMMON HOUSE SPIDERS
To help prevent issues with common house spiders take the following steps:
• Identify and seal any cracks or holes in the building's exterior
• Ensure that tree limbs and plants are not touching the building's exterior
• Remove clutter from around the outside of the structure
• Frequently dust and vacuum indoors
• Regularly use a broom to knock down spider webs both indoors and out
• Schedule regular pest control inspections and treatments to keep insects away
• Repair all plumbing and irrigation leaks as they are discovered
HOW TO TREAT FOR THE COMMON HOUSE SPIDER
Proper spider treatment involves the detection and elimination of all webs. If this is not done, spiders are likely to re-infest the structure. Generally, spider infestations should be treated by a pest control professional with the equipment and experience to get the job done safely and effectively.
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, Inc., we do not take your spider problems lightly. That is why we use a multifaceted process including the treatment of wall voids, attics, and cracks and crevices throughout the premise with gels, dusts, and other specialized products.
Schedule a FREE inspection today.
