Spider Identification & Prevention

Spiders are predators that feed on a wide variety of prey, including many insects and other types of spiders and arachnids.

Most people can easily identify spiders by their two body segments, eight legs, and lack of wings and antennae. Some species of spiders create webs to rest within or use to passively capture their prey. Other spiders prefer to make burrows and actively chase after and hunt down their prey.

Spiders play an essential role in the ecosystem, helping to reduce populations of insects that can harm our crops, gardens, and landscapes. Though spiders are beneficial arachnids, they can also become household pests. Spiders living outside usually aren’t a problem, but as soon as they move into our homes, they, like the insects they are feeding on, need to be removed from your home.

Spiders can bite people; however, in most cases, their bites cause us no real issues. While all spiders produce venom, only a couple of species in the United States produce venom potent enough to harm people.

Despite their less-than-cuddly appearance, spiders are generally harmless to people, but that doesn’t mean we should allow them to take over our outdoor spaces or move into our homes. If spiders are in your home, it is because insects are inside for them to hunt. A spider infestation is generally an indicator of a widespread pest problem on your property.

Spiders typically spend their lives outside. However, they also regularly wander into our homes. In the fall, many insects seek shelter inside our houses to escape cold weather. When their insect prey becomes scarce outside, spiders have no choice but to follow their insect prey indoors. They also enter our homes, garage, and shed, looking for a safe, dry spot to lay their eggs.

Spiders in Pennsylvania become a problem on our properties because they offer them access to their prey and safe shelter.

Despite being accomplished hunters, spiders are naturally reclusive; they do their best to hide out of sight and avoid areas with a lot of activity. You likely walk by many spiders each day without giving them a second glance.

In our homes, spiders hide in dark, quiet places like basements, closets, crawl spaces, and the backs of cabinets and large pieces of furniture. Kitchens are also places where spiders gather because that is where their insect prey tend to hang out.

Outside of your home, spiders spend time in places where their insect prey gather – trash cans, flower pots, wood piles, compost, gardens, and outdoor lights.

Remove unwanted spiders from your home with the help of the experienced professionals at Harpoon Pest Solutions. We create tailored pest control plans that will meet the specific needs of your home and property. Our home pest control services include an inspection and the development of a treatment plan that is unique to your situation. Our professionals will work with you to eliminate spiders and stop them and other pests from coming back in the future. For more information about spider control in Philadelphia, call today.

The following simple tips will help keep local spiders from becoming comfortable in and around your home.

• Caulk cracks around windows and doors and in the foundation.
• Repair or replace torn screens.
• Knock down spider webs as you discover them.
• Regularly vacuum and dust to remove hiding spiders from your home. 
• Keep the insects that spiders like to hunt away from your home by keeping lids on trash cans, eliminating areas of standing water, and maintaining a clean kitchen.
• Cut back shrubbery and trees from your home’s foundation.

For the most effective spider prevention, contact us at Harpoon Pest Solutions.