When it comes to pests, spiders can seem like a minor nuisance. But left to their own devices for too long, a couple spiders can turn into a full infestation. Not to mention spiders can attract other pests like centipedes and birds, none of which are good for business. Want to make spider control part of your routine pest prevention strategy? Here's how:
Spider Pest Control Solutions
A female common house spider can produce more than 1,600 eggs in her lifetime. That means, it's possible for infestations to grow out of control if they aren't targeted properly. From egg sacks to webs that catch other insects, the signs of spiders can be alarming to customers and employees. While most species will respond to similar spider control strategies, it's always a good idea to know what you're dealing with.
Here's how to target the three main categories of spiders:
Web-Building Spiders
Common web-building spiders that might pop up inside your business include cellar spiders, domestic house spiders, and hobo spiders. These types of spiders seek more remote areas of a building like crawl spaces, basements, and storage areas because they can find smaller insects to feed on.
Having the proper lighting around and inside the building is the most critical aspect of keeping spiders out of buildings. Improperly positioned lighting can attract large numbers of small flying and crawling insects to the building, which inevitably get inside and are the main food source for spiders. Web building spiders often set up their webs around lighting, both indoors and outdoors because of the large numbers of small flying insects that swarm around the lights. If you're noticing more spider webs than you can remove yourself, a pest control technician can help by locating spider hiding spots and providing options like glue traps or insecticide treatments.
Hunting Spiders
Hunting spiders are rarely found indoors, but sometimes a wolf spider, ground spider, woodlouse spider or jumping spider will find itself inside. The yellow sac spider is one hunting spider that will breed indoors and they are responsible for more bites on people than any other spider in the U.S.
Sealing up entryways and any holes or cracks a spider could fit through is the best way to prevent hunting spiders and other crawling insects from coming inside. It's unlikely you'll have a heavy hunting spider infestation indoors, but if you have outdoor grounds, a pest control expert would recommend limiting heavy ground vegetation near the building and managing other insect pests that spiders consider prey.
Spiders that Bite
There are two different venomous biting spiders that can be found in the U.S. The black widow, a web building spider, is recognizable for its shiny black body and bright red markings resembling an hourglass. Recluse spiders, also a hunting spider, are usually brown or dark brown and known to hide in tight spaces. They will bite if startled and their venom can cause lesions.
Reducing clutter in your business whether it's in storage spaces, hallways, or offices can help prevent spiders from making themselves at home. Seal up any cracks or crevices and use weather-stripping around windows and doors. A brown recluse infestation can be difficult to get under control without the help of insecticides. Skip the DIY methods and call the professionals.
Need spider assistance? Learn more about our commercial pest control services.
How to Prevent a Spider Infestation
Spider removal can be stressful and time-consuming when you're trying to run a business. Luckily, a spider infestation can usually be avoided using a combination of tactics, some you can take care of yourself and some you should call in an expert for, including:
- Use a broom and/or vacuum cleaner to regularly remove spiders and their webs indoors.
- Keep all exterior doors fitted with good quality weather stripping Seal all cracks around windows, door frames, light fixtures, vents, and ceiling fans.
- Seal all openings around pipes underneath sinks and behind appliances.
- Use yellow “bug light" bulbs in outside light fixtures, especially near doors, to minimize the flying insects that attract spiders and reposition light fixtures to a few feet away from doors.
- Use sticky traps designed for cockroaches in hidden areas near baseboards and near doorways to monitor for hunting spider and insect activity.
- Locate and treat exterior spider nesting sites.
Don't wait for the problem to get out of control. Call us at 877.837.6464 to get a quote or schedule service.
