Spider Identification & Prevention

What are spiders?

Spiders are arachnids with eight legs, fangs, and venom. While many people don't like spiders, they are beneficial in keeping other nuisance pest populations down.

Common spiders in the area:

• Brown recluse spiders are one of the two medically dangerous spiders you might encounter. They are often misidentified with other species due to their common traits. The brown recluse is ½ an inch long or smaller and a light brown color with a violin pattern on the cephalothorax. They have a uniform color on their abdomens and legs. 
• Black widows are the other dangerous species. Interestingly, it is only the female black widow that is dangerous. They are easy to identify with their shiny black body and red hourglass marking on their abdomen. They can be as big as 1 ½ inches long. 
• Wolf spiders are not medically dangerous. However, their bites can be painful. These spiders are gray with dark gray or brown markings. They have large eyes, are between ½ to 2 inches, and live in burrows rather than webs so they can hunt prey.

Are spiders dangerous?

As stated above, black widows and brown recluse spiders are the only two medically dangerous species to people. However, a bite from these spiders is rarely fatal due to access to medical attention. If you suspect that you, someone else, or a pet have been bitten by one of these species, you should seek medical assistance right away.

Why do I have a spider problem?

The most common reason you have a spider problem is prey pests. Often, spiders will wander inside after other insects. This activity also means that if you are seeing an increase in spiders in your home, there is a good chance you have another pest problem that you need to address.

Where will I find spiders?

Black widows and brown recluse spiders both prefer to build their webs in secluded areas such as in foliage, under rocks, and in woodpiles. They will often get into sheds and garages as they are lightly trafficked and provide the quiet conditions they like. When spiders get into a house, they hide underneath furniture and around window frames.

How do I get rid of spiders?

Getting rid of spiders on your Arlington property can be challenging as they seem to pop up out of nowhere. But with help from All Season Pest Control, you can keep spiders away.

We offer customizable pest control solutions to fit our customers' individual needs and include both interior and exterior treatments.

If you want to learn more about our pest control services in Arlington and how we can help get rid of spiders, contact us at All Season Pest Control for a free over-the-phone quote.

How can I prevent spiders in the future?

To keep spiders away, you also need to keep prey pests away. To do this, use the following prevention tips:

• Remove food sources by storing food in airtight containers, clearing up crumbs and spills, and using garbage cans with tight-fitting lids. You should also remove fallen fruit and reprieved vegetables from your yard.
• Remove entry points by filling in cracks around your foundation and exterior walls, installing door sweeps and weatherstripping, and keeping outdoor lights off when possible. 
• Remove water sources by clearing your yard of organic debris, fixing any leaks, repairing water-damaged wood, and keeping your gutters from getting clogged.

It also helps to de-web and dust regularly to discourage spiders from building their webs in your home.