Spider Identification Guide
What are spiders?
Spiders are not insects; they are arachnids. Being arachnids means that they have two body parts, eight legs, and lack antennae and wings; while not all spiders build webs, all spiders do produce silk: a very long, thin, and durable fiber. There are more than 3,000 species of spiders living throughout the United States, and many of them living in our yards, homes, and businesses. Spiders that you'll often find on properties located in the Greater Cypress that we need to be aware of are wolf spiders, black widow spiders, and brown recluse spiders.
Are spiders dangerous?
The good news is, there are only two species of dangerous spiders living in the United States. The bad news is they both live in our Greater Cypress service area. The brown recluse spider and black widow spider both have venom that is strong enough to cause us serious health problems. If bitten by either species, you should seek medical attention. However, most of the spiders that inhabit our gardens and homes are nuisance spiders and pose us no real threat.
Why do I have a spider problem?
Most of our yards and outdoor spaces provide the perfect environment for spiders to live. They hunt for their prey within tall grasses, gardens, shrubs, bushes, and woodpiles. They also like to use the exterior of our homes to hide out on. Spiders often hide behind shingles, under shutters, and in roof eaves. They will move indoors following their prey or to find a safe, secluded place to lay their eggs.
Where will I find spiders?
Depending on their species and environment, spiders nest in a variety of places:
- Black widow spiders build their webs at ground level under stones, shrubs, decks, woodpiles, and in outbuildings. Inside, they hide in dark basements, attics, crawlspaces, and under furniture.
- Brown recluse spiders place their webs in rock piles, woodpiles, behind window shutters, and under fallen trees. Inside, these spiders hide in low traffic areas like storage boxes, basements, crawlspaces, and closets.
- Wolf spiders create burrows in the ground. Common burrowing spots for wolf spiders include under fallen logs, shrubs, bushes, woodpiles, and piles of vegetation. Inside, wolf spiders may be seen running along the edges of your walls and they hide out in cabinets, closets, basements, and under furniture.
How do I get rid of spiders?
The best solution to your problem with spiders is a professional solution. At TNT Home & Commercial Services, we take our time and provide the thorough services needed to solve pest problems once and for all. Our central focus is to ensure that our customers are satisfied, and their property is free of pests! For more information about protecting your Greater Cypress home or business from spiders and our area's other common pests, reach out to TNT Home & Commercial Services today!
How can I prevent spiders in the future?
More than an inconvenience, pests can be dangerous and cause a lot of damage. In addition to our professional home pest control and commercial pest control services, use the following tips to keep spiders out of your home:
- Remove unneeded woodpiles, leaf piles, logs, and fallen trees from your property.
- Cut shrubs and bushes back away from the exterior of your home.
- Repair damaged door or window screens.
- Seal entry points in the foundation, exterior walls, and roofline of your house.
- Place covers over chimney openings, vents, and drains entering into your home.
- Keep outdoor lights that attract insects to the exterior of your home off as much as possible.
- Reduce hiding spots in your home by storing items in sealed containers, not in cardboard boxes.
- Avoid spider bites by being aware of your surroundings when working in gardens or storage areas; be careful of spiders when moving boxes or digging through garden areas.