HOUSE SPIDER CONTROL WARMINSTER PA
When people in Warminster see common house spiders inside their residence or business, is it the sign of a major problem?
The reality is that common house spiders come indoors for several reasons. Mainly, they are seeking shelter from the outdoor elements, particularly as things get wetter and colder in the fall.
The interiors of man-made structures further may be the ideal location for breeding, and some of these arachnids choose to live indoors simply because there is plenty of food available.
People who occasionally see a single common house spider indoors probably do not have reason to be alarmed. These spiders may wander in through an open window or be carried in on a piece of firewood or a toy that has been played with outdoors.
What if people are encountering numerous spiders inside the building at the same time? This is a different situation because it suggests that the arachnids are finding several ways to get indoors that do not involve being inadvertently carried in by people.
Specifically, finding large numbers of common house spiders indoors suggests that one or more spider hatches may have occurred. It additionally is possible that there are multiple cracks, gaps and openings in the building's exterior that are making it too easy for common house spiders to come inside.
These spiders are not a serious threat to the structure or the building's human occupants. Nonetheless, it is critical to discover on what these spiders are feeding. It is possible that the spiders' food sources include termites, carpenter ants, fleas, ticks and other potentially harmful pests.
Chances are good that if people are noticing an inordinate number of common house spiders indoors, then they are noticing other pests too. Until the openings in the building that are letting the pests come inside are blocked, the pest infestations will persist.
WHAT THE COMMON HOUSE SPIDER LOOKS LIKE
Common house spiders have distinctive markings that make them easy for anyone to identify. Unlike the mostly solid colored brown or black spiders, common house spiders have noticeable stripes on their legs. The thorax and head may be similarly striped in colors such as cream, beige and brown. The one-inch long body of the common house spider has a rounded abdomen. With their legs included, females may measure as long as two inches. Equipped with eight single-lens eyes, common house spiders are suitably adapted for living in conditions without much natural or artificial light.
WHERE DOES THE COMMON HOUSE SPIDER LIVE?
Despite their name, some common house spiders actually live outdoors, especially in the summer when the weather is mild. People in Warminster frequently encounter these spiders in forests as well as in manicured landscapes, lawns and gardens. In fact, these arachnids eat many insects that are destructive pests in flower beds, orchards and produce crops.
Nonetheless, the common house spider is notorious for choosing to live indoors with people or in the structures they build. A little-used shed, garage or storage space may host a large population of these spiders and the insects on which they normally feed. Of course, common house spiders do not always live in the rooms that are rarely disturbed by people. They may be encountered in bathrooms, bedrooms, offices and meeting rooms. Usually, a web, which is shaped like a funnel, will be placed close to an artificial or natural light source like a lamp or a window. The spiders know that their favorite prey items are attracted by light, so this can be a reliable strategy for ensuring regular meals.
These spiders also may spin webs in dark, cluttered corners that do not get regularly cleaned or disturbed. This ability to succeed in conditions of either bright or low light suggests that these arachnids are well-adapted to survive in virtually any surroundings.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY COMMON HOUSE SPIDERS
People do not have reason to worry about structural damage that could be caused by common house spiders. In fact, this is a largely benign species that does not do harm. Unfortunately, several of the insects on which common house spiders regularly feed are potentially destructive and dangerous. Until an inspection has been performed on the property by a licensed pest management technician, it is almost impossible for the property owner to know whether or not the structure is in danger.
WHAT DO COMMON HOUSE SPIDERS EAT?
This is the one reason why some people like sharing their space with a common house spider. These small arachnids have large appetites for an array of pests. Earwigs, flies, gnats, mosquitoes, cockroaches and moths are just a few examples of the insects that common house spiders consider to be delicious meals.
It is helpful to have common house spiders around as they keep populations of more annoying pests in check. However, people who are routinely seeing large numbers of pest insects and common house spiders indoors probably are suffering from a much larger and more concerning infestation that needs to be addressed by a professional.
WHERE DO COMMON HOUSE SPIDERS LIVE?
The common house spider causes a great deal of damage that is largely unseen until it is too late to control the problem. These spiders spin webs throughout a home or business in order to catch prey, mate, and dwell. Because house spiders can lay thousands of eggs in a short period of time, they likely already live throughout the building once the webs become apparent. Webs are difficult to clean and reappear quickly once removed.
Large numbers of common house spiders often indicate the presence of other types of insects as well. These are sometimes even more damaging than the spiders themselves. It is wise to use a pest control expert to learn why the home or business has become infested and how to remove all pests from the area.
ARE COMMON HOUSE SPIDERS AGGRESSIVE?
Few experts in pest control techniques would characterize common house spiders as aggressive. These arachnids would probably prefer not to be noticed by people, and they will try to retreat if they sense a threat. Nonetheless, common house spiders do bite people. These situations occur when people reach into a storage box without looking first or try to slip into a set of coveralls that haven't been used for a few weeks. If a common house spider is hiding within, the person could be bitten.
DO COMMON HOUSE SPIDERS CARRY DISEASE?
Itchiness, redness, swelling and mild pain are the common reactions to the bite of a common house spider. However, no illnesses will be transmitted from the spider to the victim. Rare people may have an allergic reaction to a spider's bite, and they may require a doctor's care before they fully recover.
HOW TO DETECT THE COMMON HOUSE SPIDER
Signs of a common house spider infestation include:
• A variety of insects and arachnids commonly are seen in the building
• Egg sacs or hatches are discovered indoors
• Cob webs, which are just abandoned spider webs, are regularly discovered
• Light fixtures and windows routinely have spider webs
HOW TO PREVENT COMMON HOUSE SPIDERS
To help prevent common house spider issues the following steps should be taken:
• Go around the exterior of the building each week, using a broom to knock down spider webs
• Power wash the building's exterior at least two or three times per year
• Check items for the presence of spiders before bringing them indoors
• Regularly wipe down lamps and other light fixtures
• Make a habit of dusting and vacuuming all rooms on at least a weekly basis
• Opt for plastic, air-tight storage containers instead of flimsy paper and cardboard boxes
• Identify and block access points in the building's exterior like vents, ducts and foundation cracks
• Eliminate clutter from around the property to minimize the number of places for spiders and other pests to hide
• Ask a pest control company to perform regular treatments on the premises
HOW TO TREAT FOR SPIDERS
Spider treatment involves 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.
Schedule a FREE inspection today.
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