Spiders
Most spiders are harmless to people but a few can produce a painful bite and cause a severe reaction due to their venom, making them a danger to humans. Spiders can be one of the most difficult pests to eliminate, a residual treatment is one step in an effective plan to reduce these predatory pests. Call us, we can customize a service plan that best suits your needs.
BLACK WIDOW
APPEARANCE
Glossy black, often with red “hourglass” on the underside of the abdomen. May also be dark brown. 3/4″ length, 3/8″ diameter.
HABITAT
The black widow spider is found in all 50 states, and very common in Southern California. Often living around woodpiles, they gain entry to a structure when firewood is carried in. They spin their webs near ground level in protected areas, such as in cluttered garages, storage sheds and stacks of firewood. The black widow is widely feared because its bite results in severe pain that may take several days to subside. Such bites are rarely fatal, but because small children and elderly persons are at risk, spider control is important if you suspect black widows.
DIET
Black widows eat any insect they can capture. They paralyze or kill their prey with venom, then inject a fluid that enables them to suck out the digestive liquid food. They can survive without food for several weeks to a few months.
BLACK WIDOW SPIDER CONTROL
Eliminating other insect populations that these spiders thrive on is a good place to start with preventing spiders from invading your home. Bites can be avoided by wearing heavy gloves when moving items stored for long periods outside or in garages, warehouses or storage sheds. When webs are visible, inspect carefully before putting your hand down under an object. Our spider control professionals can remove spider infestations and apply spider control materials that help prevent their return.
BROWN WIDOW
APPEARANCE
Slightly smaller and generally lighter in color than the black widow, the color can range from tan to dark brown to black, with shades of grey also possible. It has a prominent hourglass shaped marking on the underside of the abdomen, usually a vivid orange or a yellowish color. They have stripes on their legs and are about 1/8" to 3/8" in length. Their egg sacs have pointed projections all over, often sometimes described a"spiky" in appearance.
HABITAT
The brown widow builds its web in secluded, protected sites around homes and in woody vegetation with branches. Some typical sites selected by brown widows are empty containers such as buckets and nursery pots, mail boxes, entry way corners, under eaves, storage sheds, garages, and the undersides of outdoor furniture and wrought iron railings.
DIET
Brown widows eat any insect they can capture. They paralyze or kill their prey with venom, then inject a fluid that enables them to suck out the digestive liquid food. They can survive without food for several weeks to a few months.
BROWN WIDOW SPIDER CONTROL
Eliminating other insect populations that these spiders thrive on is a good place to start with preventing spiders from invading your home. Bites can be avoided by wearing heavy gloves when moving items stored for long periods outside or in garages, basements or warehouses. Shoes should be stored inside shoe boxes or shaken vigorously prior to wearing. When webs are visible, inspect carefully before putting your hand down under an object. Our spider control professionals can remove spider infestations and apply spider control materials that help prevent their return.
CELLAR SPIDER
APPEARANCE
Up to 3/4″ in body length, with an extremely thin body structure. Pale yellowish, light brown or grey. Their extremely long legs make these spiders appear much larger and give them their nickname of “daddy long legs”.
HABITAT
Cellar spiders prefer dark, damp areas such as crawl spaces, basements and shed, although they may be found around doorways, in warehouses and often in garages of homes. They hang upside down in their webs. When disturbed, they shake their web violently. They are not dangerous and are actually quite helpful in that they have been known to capture and eat other spiders.
DIET
Like all spiders, cellar spiders will kill and eat almost any insect.
CELLAR SPIDER CONTROL
Spider control efforts should include regular removal of cellar spiders with a vacuum, brush or broom helps limit their numbers. Seal cracks and holes in your home’s exterior and install tight-fitting screens. In cases involving considerable numbers of spiders, a spider control professional should be consulted.
HOUSE SPIDER
APPEARANCE
Typically brown or tan with various markings; the body ranges up to 3/8″ in length, with a spherical abdomen.
HABITAT
This is the spider most commonly found indoors. It is more of a nuisance than a threat, probably more because of its webs than the spider itself. Indoors, house spiders are most likely to be found in upper corners, under furniture, in closets, around window frames, garages and crawl spaces. If a web does not yield prey it is abandoned and a new site is selected. Eventually, successful webs are constructed where air currents bring in prey. Due to their low humidity and few insects, modern homes have fewer spider control problems than in the past. Spider control is more an issue in garages, sheds, and warehouses.
DIET
Like all spiders, house spiders are predators that will kill and eat almost any insect.
HOUSE SPIDER CONTROL
Regular removal of spider webs is the most effective spider control method. Homeowners should also seal up cracks around windows and door to help prevent their entry. Switch exterior lights to the yellow “bug” light bulbs, which attract fewer flying insects on which spiders feed. Professional spider control treatments, especially of exterior spider nesting sites, can help reduce the number of spiders when combined with an overall pest management program.
ORB WEAVER
APPEARANCE
Orb weavers, or garden spiders, are very brightly colorfully patterned. There are so many varieties! They can build huge, intricate webs overnight and are actually considered to be very beneficial for your garden.
HABITAT
Orb weavers love vegetation, moisture, and areas that are home to many other types of insects. You can find them in your garden, your flower beds, or your shrubs.
DIET
Garden spiders are a wonderful form of natural pest control, since their diet consists of other insects, some of which could actually be harmful to your garden. So, they do a good job of keeping the “bad” bugs at bay in your garden or yard.
ORB WEAVER CONTROL
Since these spiders are actually beneficial, it’s a good idea to keep them outside, where they belong and let them do their thing, eating other harmful pests around your property. If this spider finds its way indoor, it’s most likely just lost. Everything this spider wants, likes and needs is outside. If you begin to notice an influx of their webs along the structure of your home, our technicians can apply a material to ward them off, keeping them away from your house and outside where they belong.
WOLF SPIDER
APPEARANCE
Dark brownish grey with lighter striped markings on legs. Females are typically 3/8 to 1 3/8″ in length, while male wolf spiders are about 1/4 to 3/4″ long. They tend to be big and hairy, which alarms people, but they are just considered a nuisance, not a harmful spider.
HABITAT
Wolf spiders are found in nature under stones, wood, leaves and other low-lying debris. Indoors, the wolf spider prefers floor-level turf along walls, under furniture and in crawl spaces, where other insects may be found. Wolf spiders hunt during the night and rest in sheltered spots during the day. They’re commonly seen by people and are fast runners. They’ll only bite when provoked or handled. People react differently to insect bites, so it’s important to seek medical attention if you are concerned about an insect bite.
DIET
Like most other spiders, the wolf spider preys on other insects. They don’t capture their prey in webs though. The wolf spider is super fast and prefers to run after its prey and capture them with their long legs.
WOLF SPIDER CONTROL
Controlling other insect populations inside your home will reduce the attraction of wolf spiders to the interior structure of your home or business. Generally, the wolf spider prefers to live outdoors and will only remain inside if the food source is promising. A professional application to the perimeter of the exterior structure will prevent insects from gaining access indoor as well.