Spider Identification & Prevention

What are spiders?

Spiders are a type of arachnid, which means adults have eight legs and two body parts. Spiders all lack wings and antennae. Spiders come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, which is why the identification of specific species is probably best left up to a professional! In our area, four species of spiders commonly invade our yards and homes; the orb-weaver spider, the cellar spider, the black widow spider, and the brown widow spider.

Spiders are prevalent pests that live both indoors and outdoors all around us. They love to take advantage of the food, water, and shelter our yards and homes provide. Spiders are predators, and when living in our gardens, they help by keeping the number of garden insects under control. When living outside spiders tend not to be much of a problem, but when they find our homes provide them with shelter and food and they begin to multiply, most homeowners take issue!

Are spiders dangerous?

Most home-invading spiders that we come across are not a danger to people; in fact, they probably are more scared of you than you are of them, but that is not to say that all spiders are harmless. Some spiders living in our area could pose a danger to people if a bite were to occur.

The black widow spider and brown widow spider both have venom strong enough to trigger health problems in people that require a visit to the doctor. The brown widow spider is less aggressive than the black widow spider, but neither species will seek you out to bite you. Bites typically occur accidentally after coming into contact with one without even realizing it.

Why do I have a spider problem?

Spiders will pop up and thrive wherever there is a large amount of its prey to hunt. When spiders live in our homes in large numbers, it is often an indicator that there is an underlying pest problem that you need to address. If there no insects to feed on in your home, spiders won’t invade.

While spiders do move inside when following their prey, they prefer to live outside. Our yards often provide them with everything they need, such as trees, plants, and other vegetation where they can hide or build their nests. They also offer plenty of insects to eat. If you have a high number of spiders living in your yard, there is a better chance they will make their way into your home to hunt and lay their eggs.

Where will I find spiders?

Spiders live all around us in many places including:

• Fields
• Meadows
• Wooded areas
• Parks
• Yards
• Playgrounds
• The exterior of our homes
• Sheds, garages, barns, and warehouses

Spiders that have ventured indoors choose dark, quiet places to live. Spiders are shy and reclusive by nature and prefer to stay out of the limelight. Basements, areas above cabinets, bathrooms, crawlspaces, closets, the corners of rooms, and window sills are all places you will find spiders.

How do I get rid of spiders?

The first step you should take to get rid of spiders from your property is to contact a professional. At Admiral Pest Control, our professionals know the steps needed to eliminate spiders and prevent a re-infestation.
 
We are our area’s oldest family-run pest control company, and we take care of all our customers as if they are part of our family. If you are looking to rid your southern Los Angeles County or Orange County residential or commercial property of pests, reach out to the friendly and knowledgeable professionals at Admiral Pest Control. Call us today to learn more about our spider control services!

How can I prevent spiders in the future?

Spiders and other pests are difficult to prevent, so the best prevention tip is always to partner with a trained and experienced professional. Also, try the following tips from Admiral Pest Control to help avoid problems with spiders:

• Minimize your use of outdoor lights, which are very attractive to the insects that spiders love to eat.
• Keep meandering spiders out of your home by using weatherstripping, door sweeps, and sealing openings in exterior walls or the foundation.
• Place covers on chimneys and vents.
• Remove things from your yard that spiders can hide in like leaf piles, rock piles, woodpiles, and other debris.
• Inside limit hiding spots by keeping storage areas clean and organized.
• Remove spider webs from your home as they pop-up. Nothing annoys a spider more than having its web destroyed.
• Keep the grass cut short and cut back overgrown vegetation, especially any located close to your home’s exterior.