Finding spiders in your home is the worst-case scenario for many homeowners. Arachnophobia (fear of spiders) is one of the most common fears, and when they invade your home, this feels especially threatening and scary. While deaths from spider bites are relatively uncommon, they can still cause infection, pain, and extreme unease knowing they’re around.
It’s no wonder one of the most common topics we get questions about from homeowners is how to control spiders in and around their homes. Today, we’re going to cover some of the frequently asked questions we get on the topic, including how to get rid of spiders once and for all.
What kind of spiders are found in homes?
The types of spiders found in homes will depend on the region you live. There are more than 38,000 species of spiders in the world, and many of them can be found in Ontario. Not surprisingly, spider extermination in Ontario is an important and popular topic!
While hundreds of species can be found in the province, some are more common than others in Ontario.
They include:
The common house spider
Jumping spiders
Cobweb spiders
Daddy long-leg spiders
Should I be scared of spiders?
Understandably, so many people are so afraid of spiders. Whether the fear is rational does not take away from the feelings of unease or disgust when they’re around.
In Ontario, there are a few spider species that can cause actual harm. But keep in mind, that most are harmless and control other pests (like small insects) in your home.
The brown recluse spider’s bite is usually painless, to begin with, but eventually, it causes the surrounding tissue to die. An ulcer may begin to form on the skin and take 6-8 weeks to heal. These small brown spiders typically lay their eggs between May and August.
Wolf spiders: One of the most fascinating things about wolf spiders is that they don’t rely on webs to catch food like other spiders. Instead, they roam and hunt, adding to their fear. But in addition to being interesting, they can also be somewhat dangerous. Their bite can be painful and poisonous, but it is not considered lethal.
Black widow spiders: These spiders are not naturally aggressive, but can bite if they feel threatened. Once bitten by a black widow spider, some people experience only mild symptoms, while others have a much more severe reaction. Symptoms of a black widow spider bite can include severe pain, burning, swelling, muscle stiffness, sweating and tremors, difficulty breathing, nausea, and a rash and itching.
How do spiders get in?
Spiders have all sorts of clever ways to find their way into your home. Due to their small size, they can work their way through cracks or holes that are barely visible to the human eye.
Common points of entry for spiders include air vents, doorways and windows, gaps around plumbing and electricity, and unfilled holes or cracks. They can also be found in produce or other products you bring into your home.
Where do spiders hide?
Different species of spiders prefer different environments for hiding.
Some are fond of moist environments, so they’ll be found in basement or crawl spaces where there’s likely to be moisture. On the other hand, some spiders prefer a dry environment, so you’ll find them in attics, air vents, or on the ceiling of your home.
Most spiders like to live their lives in quiet, undisturbed areas. Wood piles, junk piles, stored boxes, garages, sheds, and light fixtures are common places to find them.
Click here to learn more about spider habitats, life cycle, and diet.
Keeping your house spider-free
To prevent a serious spider infestation, there are many easy steps you can take.
For starters, check your home for any obvious cracks, holes, or openings where they could get in. This includes gaps around doors and windows.
Be sure to remove webs as soon as you see them, and regularly vacuum your home. When you keep your home clear of other small insects that spiders like to feed on, this will show them your home isn’t a good source of food, so they’re less likely to stay.
Inspect food and other items before bringing them into your home. Look for eggs, webs, and other signs of a pest presence.
Don’t store wood piles or garbage right up against your house. Be sure these items are a few feet away from your house. They’re common places for spiders and other pests to live, and they can easily move from a log to your home.
What do spiders eat?
Spiders are predatory. Most of them eat other small insects, but some are powerful enough to eat small birds or even mice. Their jaws work side to side, with sharp edges breaking up their prey as they feed.
Many spiders use webs to catch their prey, but there are a few that do not. Regardless, all spiders still spin silk. Many spiders who live in burrows will line the walls of their home with their silk. Spiders also use their silk to make sacs for storing their eggs.
How often does my house need to be treated for spiders?
This will depend on the severity and type of spider infestation you’re dealing with. But you’ll be glad to know we provide a spider control visit with 90 days of guaranteed results to get you started. Often, this is enough to eradicate the problem for good.
How do you get rid of spiders?
At Brilliex Pest Control, we use an integrated pest management (IPM) protocol as not only an effective, but environmentally friendly way to clear your home of spiders and other pests.
This process begins with a proper inspection of the property. After finding spider’s hiding areas, a technician comes up with the best plan of action for your home. Whenever possible, we try not to use pesticides when it comes to controlling spiders.
By just sweeping and removing spider webs, food sources, and nesting opportunities, the problem can be reduced drastically. Our spider exterminators will also provide you with an electronic inspection report complete with recommendations to continue keeping your property free of spiders.
Call Brilliex Pest Control for Spider Removal
As Toronto’s No.1 spider control team, we won’t stop until you are satisfied.
Our trained spider exterminators will hunt these pests down and eliminate them for good.
Ask us about our Home Protection Plan, where we eliminate and control more than 18 common pests in and around your home and guarantee it all year long. Every service will be done professionally and promptly.
If you need spider control services, don’t wait. Contact us today so we can get your spider problem under control.
To learn more, contact Brilliex Pest at 647-776-7739 or Toll-Free 1-866-650-1811 or Contact Brilliex Pest for a Free Estimate