Why Do I Have A Spider Problem In My Tupelo Home?

It can seem strange to find a big, fat, hairy spider on your bathroom floor. But it happens all too often in Tupelo. Wolf spiders can find mid-sized entry points that you don't even know you have. They'll get in through a gap around a water pipe or wire conduit. They'll get in through a gap that has formed between a soleplate and your foundation, where fungus, insects, and rodents have caused damage. In fact, the appearance of a wolf spider in your home is a possible warning sign of pest issues around the outside of your home. Today, we're going to talk about the conditions that attract pests and allow them to get into your Tupelo home because doing so will give you important insight into why you have a spider problem.

Before Spiders Get In

There are lots of spiders that crawl around in your yard. They go by names like black and yellow garden spider, furrow orb-weaver, southern black widow, common house spider, jumping spider, nursery web spider, wolf spider, and more. These spiders crawl around in your grass, landscaping, and in sheltered areas on your property. Why? Here are a few important reasons:

• Water. Spiders need a drink of water. If you have puddles or containers, spiders will get a drink from them.
• Food. Spiders eat insects, bugs, and small animals. If you have pest activity around your home, you're going to have more spider activity.
• Harborage. Spiders hide under and inside lawn clutter. They get into wood piles, rock piles, and other organic piles. They hide under decks, porches, and other structures. The more sheltered areas you have, the more spider activity you're likely to have.

If spiders find what they're looking for in your yard, and around your home, you're going to have more issues. Makes sense, right? Here are a few tips that can help you reduce water, food sources, and harborage.

Water

• Clean out and repair gutters to prevent dampness near your home.
• Remove objects from your yard that capture rainwater.
• Trim your landscape vegetation, remove unnecessary plants, and keep your grass trimmed.

Food

• Reducing moisture has an impact on insects and other bugs. So, put an extra emphasis on that step.
• Keep lights off at night or replace white bulbs with yellow bulbs. Yellow light is less attractive to insects.
• Manage your exterior trash and recycling so that things are clean and free of odors that can attract insects. Make sure your trash is bagged and stored in covered containers. Open garbage is an open invitation for pest problems.

Harborage

• Rake leaves up and remove them from your property.
• Move stick piles away from your exterior.
• Move rock piles away from your exterior.
• Pick up any rotting wood.
• Remove objects from your yard that don't need to be out there, especially if they create a dark, damp void underneath or offer an interior void for spiders to hide in.
• Address any holes.

Webs

One important exterior fact to consider are the webs that spiders create. They are more than an eyesore. Spider webs can have tiny egg sacs filled with spider eggs. When those eggs hatch, they can add hundreds of spiders to the population around your home. This will inevitably increase your problems. Remove webs when you see them.

Your Exterior Walls

Once you've addressed the attractive environment around your home, it is important to do a detailed inspection of your exterior. While it is impossible to seal your walls enough to keep all spiders out, you can deter them. You'll also be deterring their food sources. Fewer insects and bugs inside your home will result in fewer issues with spiders.

• Take time around exterior doors and windows. These are common entry points. Examine weatherstripping, sweeps, frames, and screens.
• Examine your utilities. If you see gaps, seal them with a caulking material.
• Inspect the area of your home where your exterior walls touch your foundation. Make sure to crawl under your deck or other structures. These are shaded, and dampness in these areas can lead to wood rot and damage caused by wood-destroying organisms. Spiders take advantage of these holes.

Interior Spider Control

If spiders get into your home and are unable to find food, what do you think they'll do? They may just go back outside. Interior pest problems are one catalyst for spider problems. If you have flies, address them quickly. If you have centipedes, millipedes, silverfish, cockroaches, or any number of other pests, it is important to deal with them as quickly as you can.

Spider And Pest Control

The best way to stop spiders is with ongoing control of general household pests. At McCary Pest Control, we provide industry-leading pest services for Tupelo residents. We can give your perimeter what it needs to repel and knockdown pests before they get inside. We also offer de-webbing as a part of our year-round pest plans. Get your plan in place today, and say goodbye to spiders.