Spider Identification & Prevention

What are spiders?

Books, movies, and even old wives' tales paint spiders in a bad light. Most people have a natural fear of spiders, but the truth is that while spiders may not be cute and cuddly to most, they aren't as bad as they seem.

Spiders are a type of arachnid and an important fixture in the ecosystem. These eight-legged pests provide natural pest control, feeding on and controlling populations of insects that harm people and crops and are just a general nuisance.

Common house spiders, black widow spiders, brown spiders, funnel spiders, jumping spiders, and orb weaver spiders are examples of species that call Waldorf home. They are the spiders that regularly find their way onto our properties and into our homes.

Are spiders dangerous?

Spiders possess venom that they inject using their fang-like mouthparts. Spider venom is typically only potent enough to cause harm to its insect prey. Shy and reclusive by nature, spiders don't track down people to bite but will bite us to prevent themselves from being harmed. 

While spider bites can be painful, there are usually no lingering side effects; the exception to that rule is the black widow spider. Black widow spiders and other dangerous spiders have venom that is potent enough to cause harm to people if a bite were to occur.

If you are ever concerned about the type of spiders you see in your home, never hesitate to contact a pest control professional.

Why do I have a spider problem?

Even if the weather is too cold or overall unsuitable for spiders, that's not the reason why you would have a problem in your home. Spiders can live outside year-round, including during periods of freezing temperatures.

Spiders are in your home during the winter because the insects they feed on can't survive cold temperatures and have moved indoors seeking warm shelter. Spiders move indoors when food sources outside become scarce or simply by chance while chasing down their insect prey.

In addition to access to prey, a big reason why spiders are in our homes is that places like wall voids and crawl spaces provide them with a safe place to lay their eggs and for newly hatched spiderlings to develop into adults.

Where will I find spiders?

Since spiders are in your home because they are hunting their insect prey, it is natural that they infest areas where typical household pests commonly gather. Homeowners regularly discover spider activity in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, garages, and crawl spaces. You may even find them hanging out under furniture and large appliances.

How do I get rid of spiders?

Spiders in Maryland live comfortably in and around our homes. To get rid of spiders that have made themselves comfortable in your house, contact us at Mike's Pest, Termite and Wildlife Control. During our initial visit, we will treat your home to control the spiders and other household pests that have found their way inside. After our initial treatment, we will work with you to create a customized follow-up schedule to keep spiders and their insect prey away in the future. For the best spider control near you, reach out now.

How can I prevent spiders in the future?

In addition to our professional spider control services, we want to provide you with some helpful tips to prevent future issues with spiders.

• Keep lids on trash cans, maintain a clean kitchen, and keep outdoor lights off when not needed to avoid attracting insects to your home.
• Reduce excess moisture in and around your house that offers a water source.
• Repair defects in your home's exterior that provide entrance points for spiders and their insect prey. 
• Eliminate harborage spots in your yard by maintaining gardens, pruning trees, and removing yard debris.

Don't hesitate to call us for more information about pest control in Waldorf. We want to help you keep unwanted pests out of your home.