All About Spider Control
While arachnophobia is one reason spider control is important to many people, it's not the only justification for wanting to banish spiders from your home.
Once Bitten, Twice Shy
If you have spiders in your home, you run the risk of being bitten. All spiders produce venom, but this venom is not always dangerous to humans.
Many species of spiders are harmless, but there are a couple that deserve special attention.
Black widow spiders: Black widows have venom that can cause pain and muscle cramps. A bite from a black widow spider is rarely fatal, but it definitely calls for prompt medical attention.
Female black widow spiders have a shiny black abdomen with two red or yellow triangular markings that join to form the shape of an hourglass. Males tend to be smaller with lighter coloring.
Black widow spiders typically remain outside, and they rarely enter buildings.
Brown recluse spiders: Brown recluse spiders have venom that can create sores and scarring, and, if you've been bitten, you should see a doctor.
These spiders can grow to half an inch in length, and they're usually yellow or dark brown with a violin-shaped marking.
Brown recluse spiders are often found inside, and they tend to favor storage areas.
Methods of Spider Control
There are certain steps you can take to control the number of spiders in your home.
Reduce Clutter: The first thing you can do is get rid of the junk and clutter, and you'll discourage spiders from spending time in your home. A home with lots of knick knacks and boxes will be a haven for spiders.
Vacuum: Spiders have delicate bodies that can't survive the suction force of a vacuum cleaner. Use a vacuum with a wand attachment to clean all the nooks and crannies within your home. Utilize this attachment to clean the ceiling, corners and the undersides of your furniture. This will destroy webs, and get rid of eggs.
Banish Insects: Spiders are arachnids, and they feed on insects. If your home is free of insects, spiders will have to look elsewhere for food.
Use Pesticide: Pesticides don't work as well on spiders as they do on insects. Insects clean themselves. If they've walked through pesticide, this self-cleaning will cause them to spread the toxin to their bodies.
Spiders don't share this proclivity for self-cleaning, and, as a result, they will often glide through pesticide unscathed.
However, pesticides can be quite effective if you spray a crack or opening that spiders are known to enter. The spider's body will likely contact the pesticide as it's entering the crack, and this will help the poison achieve the desired result.
Professional Solutions for Spider Control
An exterminator can treat both the interior and exterior of your home for spiders. Exterminators are familiar with the hiding places spiders favor, and they can use tools such as insecticide-based barrier treatments around your home to discourage spider activity. They can also improve the appearance of your property by removing webs.
The cost of professional spider extermination will depend on the size of the property and the severity of the infestation. On average, you can expect to pay $300-$500.