Observing multiple instances of spiders in and around a structure, could be a sign of a much larger pest problem, indicating an inordinate number of insects which are effectively their food source.
Spider biology makes it significantly more difficult to control this pest than it is to control others. This is why it is important makes to rid the property of excessive bugs to encourage the spiders to look elsewhere for meals.
Species such as the agrarian sac spider, broad-faced sac spider, common house spider, grass spider, long-legged sac spider and wolf spider all are common in the local region. Any of these may come into the house or make themselves at home in the yard. When it seems like there are too many spiders, then it is time to contact a pest management professional who can get to the bottom of and eliminate spider infestations.
WHAT DO SPIDERS LOOK LIKE?
Agrarian sac spiders do not have many distinguishing characteristics beyond their inordinately long front legs. Their dark cephalothorax is set off by the rest of their body, which usually is either pale gray or tan.
The broad-faced sac spider is distinguished by its oversized fangs and pincers, which look a great deal like an extra pair of legs. Those legs may be red or orange, which can make this species easier to identify. Most members of this species have a gray abdomen and a brown head.
Common house spiders love to live indoors with people. They are so frequently seen indoors that most people have no problem identifying them. This is usually attributed to this species' gray, brown and tan chevron-shaped stripes on their bodies and legs. Some individuals may actually have yellow or orange legs with discernible dark rings close to the feet. The spider's abdomen is decorated with a black, triangular-shaped mark.
The hard upper shell of the grass spider is fairly easy to identify. Their coloration typically is yellow or brown, and two stripes may be observed running the length of the body. The abdomen is a darker color than the upper shell.
With a pale abdomen and a darker thorax, the long-legged sac spider can be fairly easy to identify. Brown and ivory are common color combinations, though some individuals exhibit colors such as white, pale green and yellow. Although the legs are a light color, this spider has black feet.
As they are significantly larger than most spider species in the area, wolf spiders are relatively easy to identify. Their coloration is rather dull, usually consisting of shades of gray and brown, but these arachnids are covered in dense hair. Experts may identify this species by looking for a Union Jack-shaped outline on the spider's back.
WHAT DO SPIDERS EAT?
Some spiders are active hunters while others spin a web in which they hope to trap prey. The wolf spider and long-legged sac spider are examples of hunters. Both will eat a variety of insects such as flies, ants, earwigs, grasshoppers and crickets. Long-legged sac spiders will even eat plant nectar when they find it.
Grass spiders prefer to live in the lawn where they can build a web that is shaped like a funnel and is designed to trap mainly walking insects. Flying insects also may become entangled in the web, which means that these spiders eat wasps, mosquitoes, flies, ants and other insects.
Other species, like agrarian sac spiders and broad-faced sac spiders, eat a steady diet of arthropods, insects and other arachnids. Sometimes, they will even eat prey that is larger than they are.
WHERE DO SPIDERS LIVE?
Many of these spiders, such as the common house spider, genuinely prefer and are well-adapted to live indoors with people. Others, like the grass spider, prefer to remain outdoors.
Common house spiders may spin a web across a light fixture or along the upper corner of a door or window. Wolf spiders are not web spinners, but they frequently live with or in close proximity to people. They live in fields and pastures in the wild, but a dark and cluttered room, garage or shed can be ideal habitat as well.
Long-legged sac spiders roll up leaves and spin a sleep sac when outdoors. However, some people do find silken sleep sacs attached to the upper corners of rooms. Agrarian sac spiders may spin a nest beneath a sheltering rock or leaf, and the broad-faced sac spider prefers similar living conditions. Both species are most likely to come indoors in the autumn when the weather cools.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY SPIDERS
Rather than being destructive, a small number of spiders on the property actually can be beneficial as they control the local insect population. However, large numbers of spiders may be responsible for spinning dozens of webs, creating an ongoing and chaotic mess that requires constant cleaning.
ARE SPIDERS AGGRESSIVE?
Although many spiders are adept hunters, these skills are reserved for insects and other arachnids. Spiders tend to shy away from human contact.
DO SPIDERS CARRY DISEASE?
It is possible for spiders to bite people, but these wounds rarely have serious consequences.
One exception to this may be the bite of the broad-faced sac spider, which has a particularly painful bite. These wounds may be slow to heal, and they are prone to secondary infections if the spider has recently fed on a dead arthropod.
HOW TO DETECT SPIDERS
These may be signs of a spider problem:
-Needing to remove many webs on a daily basis -Finding spiders inside the home regularly -Dealing with a large insect population
HOW TO PREVENT SPIDERS
Take these precautions to guard homes against spiders:
-Have regular pest control treatments -Eliminate clutter -Replace outdoor lights with yellow sodium vapor lights -Keep window and door screens in good repair -Seal up the building to eliminate access points
HOW TO TREAT FOR SPIDERS
Spider treatment will involve the detection and elimination of all webs. If this is not done, the spiders are likely to re-infest the structure. Generally, it is not possible to completely eliminate spiders with do-it-yourself products. As such, successful spider eradication should be left for a pest control professional who has the tools and experience to get the job done safely and effectively.
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, Inc., we don't take your spider problems lightly. That's 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.
