Spiders

What are spiders?

Spiders are one of the most well-known types of arachnids. These pests are predators that feed on other living things like flies, mosquitoes, aphids, and other pests. Their feeding habits play an essential part in our ecosystem as they help to control populations of a wide variety of disease-spreading and damaging pests.

Spiders catch prey by actively hunting them or capturing them in their webs. They use their specialized mouthparts to inject their prey with digestive fluids and suck out the liquefied remains. Not all spiders build webs, but they all produce silk. Spiders also use this silk as a tether to wrap up prey, line their burrows, and move from place to place.

black widow spider on web

Black Widow Spiders

Black widow spiders have large, round or oval-shaped abdomens. The female black widow spider’s most recognizable feature is the red hourglass-like marking located on the bottom of their abdomens. In contrast, male black widow spiders are a medium gray or olive color with cream-colored markings. The hourglass marking on the underside of the male’s abdomen is yellow or a yellowish-orange color.

brown recluse in wood shavings

Brown Recluse Spiders

As their name states, brown recluse spiders are a light brown color. These spiders also have a darker brown, often violin-shaped marking located on the top side of their head. A unique feature of the brown recluse spider is the semi-circle arrangement of their six eyes as most other spider species have eight eyes.

wolf spider on piece of wood

Wolf Spiders

The wolf spider is a larger species of spider with a body that grows between 1/2 an inch to 2 inches in length. Their eight powerful legs allow them to chase after and hunt down their quick-moving prey. Their bodies and legs are covered in dark brown hair with paler markings or stripes. Wolf spiders have a unique eye pattern of two large eyes on the top of the head, two large eyes at the front of the head, and a row of four smaller eyes just above their mouth.

Are spiders dangerous?

Yes, spiders can be dangerous. All spiders have venom to one degree or another, but not all spiders have venom strong enough to cause health problems in people. The only spiders we should be overly concerned with are those with venom potent enough to trigger health issues in people or pets.

Examples of dangerous spiders include both the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider. Though dangerous, neither are aggressive and try to stay hidden from people. Bites usually only happen if they are directly handled or squished by something like a hand or foot; these spiders typically only bite after feeling physical pressure on their body.

Most of the spiders we come across and that live in our yards and homes are nuisance spiders and aren’t considered a threat to people or our properties. The wolf spider is an example of a harmless spider. Though their size, appearance, and speed, make them seem frightening, the wolf spider’s bark is definitely bigger than their “bite.”

Why do I have a spider problem?

Spiders become a problem on our properties because, as we have expanded our habitats, many animal habitats have been reduced, including that of spiders. Spiders have adapted to living near people in our yards and sometimes even inside our homes or businesses.

Spiders are mostly attracted to yards that supply plenty of insects for them to hunt. Everyday items that attract insects to our yards and, in turn, attract spiders, include:

Trash cans and recycling bins
Compost bins
Pet food bowls
Gardens

The more insects living on your property, the more problems you will have with spiders and other predatory pests.

Spiders prefer to live outdoors but will move inside when food sources become scarce. If you have a lot of insect activity inside your home, spiders won’t hesitate to take advantage. They also sometimes move indoors accidentally while chasing prey or while searching for a safe area to keep their eggs.

Where will I find spiders?

In general, spiders prefer to burrow or build their webs in sheltered, out-of-the-way places. Most spiders are timid and like to stay out of the limelight as much as possible. Outside, spiders are common in overgrown grasses and shrubbery, in gardens, under decks and furniture, and on play structures.

Brown recluse spiders and black widow spiders create large, irregular, flattened webs at ground level. Inside homes, businesses, and other structures, both black widow spiders and brown recluse spiders hide in dark, quiet areas like closets, attics, cabinets under sinks, crawl spaces, and under furniture.

Wolf spiders do not build webs to capture their prey like many other spider species. Like a wolf, they chase down and physically capture their prey. They are not great climbers, so wolf spiders live and hunt at ground level. Inside, these spiders travel along the floor against walls. Wolf spiders hide in closets, basements, and under furniture.

How do I get rid of spiders?

At White Knight Pest Control, we understand people don’t want to share their yards and homes with eight-legged spiders. To help ease your fears and allow you to spend time in your yard without fear, we provide quick action and the services necessary to eliminate spiders and other pests. Our annual pest control plans utilize eco-friendly pest control products and top-of-the-line services to ensure we meet our customer’s pest control needs. Our professionals work closely with our customers to always meet everyone’s unique pest control needs. Speak with one of our friendly professionals today and learn more about our spider control solutions!

How can I prevent spiders in the future?

At White Knight Pest Control, we will help you prevent problems with spiders using our regular treatments. In conjunction with our comprehensive pest control services, the following prevention tips will help you keep spiders out of your Texas, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, or Oklahoma home!

Eliminate hiding spots: Remove leaf piles, woodpiles, fallen trees, and other debris from your yard. Keep storage areas inside your home free of clutter. Regularly clean under furniture, behind window shutters, and in storage areas. Inspect potted plants for spiders before bringing them into your home after being outside.
Eliminate entry points: Seal cracks in the foundation or exterior walls of your home. Place door sweeps on exterior doors and replace worn weather stripping. Install covers over vents and drains. Repair any damaged trim around doors. Put screens in open windows and doors.
Eliminate food sources: Keep lids on trash cans and maintain gardens and compost bins to keep foraging insects off your property. Turn off exterior lights as much as possible to avoid attracting insects to your house. Put into place an annual pest control program to reduce the number of insects in your yard that spiders prey on.
Eliminate water sources: Keep gutters and downspouts free of debris to keep rainwater flowing away from your home’s exterior. Do not overwater garden areas or potted plants. Fix low-lying areas in your yard that allow rainwater to pool.