Spider Identification & Prevention (Araneae)

What are spiders?

Spiders are arachnids, meaning they have eight legs and two body parts. It also means they're related to other common pests like scorpions, ticks, and mites. We have several common spiders you'll run into around your Salem County property, including:

Most of these spiders are harmless, but you will need to watch out for a couple of them.

Are spiders dangerous?

Most of the time, spiders can't harm you. The only two exceptions in our area are the black widow and brown recluse. Black widows pack a neurotoxic venom that can give you symptoms like muscle spasms, abdominal pain, and even difficulty breathing. Meanwhile, brown recluse spiders have a hemotoxic bite that can make the skin around the site of the bite die – a process called necrosis. Neither of these spiders can kill a healthy adult, but small children could be at mortal risk, especially from a black widow bite. 

Why do I have a spider problem?

Most species of spiders prefer to live outside on properties that offer them plentiful food sources and secluded shelter. Spiders feed on a variety of insects and other spiders. They like to hide out and create their webs inside of heavy vegetation, piles of debris, and dark secluded areas.

Where will I find spiders?

Spiders usually nest and hide out in dark, quiet, out-of-the-way places. Outside they make their webs or burrows in:

Spiders often find their way inside following their food or if the weather outside becomes too harsh for them to live comfortably. Spiders are common invaders of homes, garages, sheds, barns, and other outbuildings. They hide out in dark quiet areas like basements, closets, attics, crawl spaces, and under furniture.

How do I get rid of spiders?

Getting rid of spiders is not easy for homeowners because these sneaky and stubborn arachnids are tough to find and even tougher to convince to leave once they've established themselves in your home. That's why you should contact the experts here at Preferred Termite and Pest Control for home spider control or commercial pest management in Salem County. We can get rid of the spiders sneaking around your house, as well as whatever nasty bugs are attracting them.

How can I prevent spiders in the future?

In addition to our professional spider control services, the following tips can help to prevent problems with spiders.

To keep spiders from finding their way into your home, seal as many entry points as possible. Caulk cracks and crevices in the foundation and exterior walls, make sure all screens are intact, and place weather stripping around windows and doors. It is also a good idea to install door sweeps. Place gardens and wood piles away from the outside of your home. Repair clogged gutters and leaky fixtures that can provide them with a water source. Keep shrubs and bushes trimmed back away from the exterior of your home. Inside reduce secluded hiding spots by keeping areas free of clutters and debris.