Spider Identification
What are spiders?
Spiders are a type of arachnid and have a valuable purpose in our ecosystem; without spiders and other predators, nuisance and dangerous insects would take over our properties. Despite their benefits, their appearance and quick movements cause many people to be afraid of these pests.
Spiders hunt their prey by creating webs or by actively chasing it down. A spider's physical features include eight legs, spinnerets (silk-spinning organs), two body parts (head and abdomen), many eyes (six to eight), chelicerae (mouthparts), and fangs they use to inject venom into their prey.
Some spiders create webs either at or above ground level, but not all spiders create webs; some create burrows in the ground or under things. Burrowing spiders will chase down their prey.
Are spiders dangerous?
There are thousands of species of spiders living throughout the United States; most, like the house spider, are harmless as they don't possess venom strong enough to affect our health. However, there are dangerous spiders in our area that we need to be careful around and avoid contact with: the black widow spider and brown recluse spider. These dangerous spiders are always unwelcome in our yards and homes. They possess venom strong enough to trigger health problems in adults, kids, and pets.
Why do I have a spider problem?
The biggest reason that spiders have become an issue either in your yard or home is that there is plenty of prey for them to hunt. Spiders won't want to be where there is a lack of food. Things like our gardens, grass, trash cans, and trees attract both insects and spiders and are found in all of our yards.
Spiders prefer to live outdoors but move into our homes and outbuildings following prey. Once inside, if they find a regular food source, they typically stay until forced to leave.
House spiders create and abandon their webs all over homes and become a huge nuisance to deal with. Having brown recluse spiders and black widow spiders in your house adds another element of trouble because of their ability to deliver dangerous venom-filled bites.
Where will I find spiders?
Spiders are almost everywhere, and we walk by them regularly without ever noticing them. Reclusive by nature, spiders take cover in dark cracks and crevices and areas of clutter, dense vegetation, or other debris.
Knowing where spiders like to hide within your home is helpful so that you can be vigilant regarding these pests and call for help as soon as you notice their presence:
- Attics and wall voids
- Tops of cabinets
- Inside closets and crawlspaces
- Cardboard boxes and other storage containers
- Around light fixtures
- Corners of windows and rooms
How do I get rid of spiders?
Having a professional come to your Mississippi property to identify the spider species making themselves at home inside your house is essential. At McCary Pest Control, our professionals will solve your property's spider problems by performing a detailed inspection, providing treatment using eco-friendly products, and creating a follow-up treatment schedule. We understand how unsettling it can be to have spiders roaming throughout your home!
By partnering with us, you will have peace of mind knowing the job is done right, and they won't be returning in the future to lurk in your home's corners. Learn more about our Tupelo, MS spider control services.
How can I prevent spiders in the future?
To help you avoid problems with spiders, we want to offer the following prevention tips:
- Maintain your outdoor space by keeping the grass cut short, maintaining gardens, and removing excess woodpiles and other debris from your yard.
- Clear away spider webs from your home; this will annoy the spiders and make them want to find somewhere else to live and hunt for prey.
- Reduce moisture around the perimeter of your home by making sure gutters are working and cutting back landscaping. Moisture attracts a variety of insects.
- Minimize clutter in the basement and other storage areas. Make sure to keep cardboard boxes taped shut or store items in plastic containers with locking lids.
- Keep exterior lights off as much as possible or use a motion sensor.
- Make sure windows and doors have weatherstripping placed around them. Open windows and doors should have secure screens in them.
Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control services.
