Spider Identification Guide

What are spiders?

Spiders are a type of arachnid, and are related to ticks, scorpions, and mites. There are around 3,000 species of spiders that live throughout North American, all with varying appearances and behaviors; all spiders, however, have eight legs, two body segments, and the lack of wings and antennae.

While most people aren’t excited about running into spiders in their yards or homes, they are actually helpful predators. They help to control populations of garden, nuisance, and dangerous insects. Despite being beneficial, spiders become unwanted pests when they invade our properties in large numbers.

Are spiders dangerous?

The good news is, nuisance spiders make up the bulk of the spider species living throughout the United States. Nuisance spiders only have venom that is strong enough to paralyze their prey, but not strong enough to cause health problems in people. If bitten by a nuisance spider, usually all that will develop is a small, red, itchy welt around the bite site.

There are a couple of dangerous spiders living in the United States: the black widow spider and brown recluse spider. Their venom is strong enough to affect a person’s health.

Why do I have a spider problem?

Spiders prefer to live outside where their food lives. However, spiders do find their way into homes and other structures. When their food (insects) become scarce outside, they'll follow their prey inside. Spiders don’t necessarily overwinter indoors, but much of their prey does. They also move inside when seeking a safe shelter in which to lay their eggs. Once they find their way indoors, they'll usually stay until they run out of food. The presence of spiders in or around your home is often an indicator of an overall pest problem.

Where will I find spiders?

Spiders live almost anywhere. They live outside in tall grass, gardens, shrubbery, trees, and on our homes. When they move inside, they like to hide in dark, secluded places like crawl spaces, attics, basements, bathrooms, closets, and under furniture.

How do I get rid of spiders?

To solve your spider problem, it is best to partner with a professional. PESTOUT® is committed to getting rid of spiders and other pests, and keeping them out! Here at PESTOUT®, we are a family-owned company dedicated to serving the needs of our residential and commercial customers.

Our friendly professionals utilize advanced technologies to deliver the comprehensive pest control services needed to solve pest problems in Hampton Roads Virginia. If you would like to learn more about implementing our spider control services into your Virginia home or business, reach out to PESTOUT® today. One call controls them all!

How can I prevent spiders in the future?

Prevent problems with spiders by implementing the following prevention tips in and around your Virginia home:

• Remove piles of excess debris and clutter from your property.

• Get rid of areas of standing water.

• Fix leaking pipes or faucets.

• Cut shrubs and bushes back away from the exterior of your home.

• Seal up entry points in the foundation, exterior walls, and roofline of your house.

• Reduce hiding spots in your home by storing items in sealed containers – not in cardboard boxes or trash bags.

• Replace white outdoor lights with LED or yellow light bulbs that are less attractive to the insects that spiders feed on.