How To Keep Spiders Out of Your Home

Common spider problems in Phoenix and Maricopa County

Several spider species can be found in and around homes in our Maricopa County service area. Here are the most common spiders you’ll find:

• Wolf spiders
  Wolf spiders are known for their speed and large size. They do not create webs to capture prey; instead, they hunt their prey. Although their appearance can be disturbing, their bites are not dangerous to humans.
• House spiders
  These little brownish spiders are mostly harmless. They prefer to build their webs in secluded locations but sometimes create them right out in the open, like on the ceilings of a kitchen or bathroom. Though they bite, common house spider venom is not dangerous to humans. The main issue with these pests is that they grow their numbers and clutter the corners of rooms with their unsightly webs.
• Black widow spiders
  Black widows can be identified by their shiny black bodies and red hourglass markings. These spiders tend to hide in dark, undisturbed areas such as crawl spaces, outbuildings, and sheds, but they can get inside houses. If a black widow spider bites and injects venom, it can be medically serious, especially to people with compromised immune systems, young children, or pets.
• Brown recluse spiders
  These small, tan to dark brown spiders are known for the violin-shaped marking on their back and their reclusive nature. They prefer to hide in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, attics, and garages. Brown recluses are venomous, and their bite can cause severe skin reactions, although they generally bite only when disturbed. Keeping storage areas tidy and inspecting boxes or items that have been in storage are effective ways to avoid accidental encounters with these shy arachnids.

Spiders are attracted to properties that offer abundant food—namely insects. But other things may attract them. It is important to understand what draws spiders to a property so you can take steps to make your property less attractive to them.

What attracts spiders to homes?

Spiders are drawn into homes when the weather gets cooler. You are wrong if you think the reason is because they are cold. Spiders are designed with a sort of antifreeze in their blood. Insects are drawn into warm homes, and spiders follow them. Three factors that can make a home attractive to spiders are:

• Moisture
  If a home has a source of moisture, such as a leaky pipe or poor ventilation, it can have humid areas, which attract some types of spiders. Cellar spiders, for instance, are attracted to humid environments.
• Dark cluttered spaces
  Spiders prefer to hang out in areas where there is little activity and little light. This is why you may find spider webs in attics, garages, and high up in the corners of rooms.
• Insects and other prey
  Insects such as flies, ants, and beetles inside a home will make spiders want to stick around.

By keeping your home dry, uncluttered, and free of insects, you can make your home unattractive to spiders.

Why it’s important to keep spiders outside

Spiders are beneficial creatures, but when they get into a home, they can cause trouble. While most spiders are not dangerous to humans, certain spiders, such as brown recluses, can pose serious risks. Some of the problems that spiders present inside homes are the following:

• Some spiders create unsightly webs: No one likes constantly removing spider webs from ceilings and corners, especially if the webs are hard to reach.
• Some spiders are startling: Some spiders seem to enjoy scaring the wits out of individuals by hanging out on bathroom walls or sink drains.
• Venomous bites: All spiders have venom, but most spider bites are not dangerous for humans. However, some spiders, such as brown recluse spiders, are dangerous. A black widow bite can cause pain, swelling, and, in some cases, other more serious symptoms.
• Allergic reactions: People who have an allergy to spider venom are at greater risk of health complications.

If you see spiders in your home, you can be sure there are other pests. Feel free to contact the experts at Titan Pest Control to learn about our pest control plans.

How to keep spiders out of your Phoenix home

There are several steps you can take to try to keep spiders from getting into your home. Here are some suggestions that are known to get results.

• Outdoor maintenance: Trim the vegetation around the exterior of your home neatly and remove clutter near it. This will remove hiding places for spiders and other pests.
• Seal entry points: Fill in gaps and holes by utilizing silicone caulk, expanding foam, weatherstripping, and mesh screens. This will reduce the number of entry points for spiders and other pests.
• Reduce clutter: Keep storage spaces as tidy as possible. Reducing clutter in your home limits the places where spiders can hide or build webs. Consider stacks of cardboard or paper and piles of clothing as prime hiding spots.
• Replace outdoor light bulbs with yellow bulbs: Insects are attracted to light, and spiders come to eat those insects. Reducing the number of insects on or inside your home will help to deter spider activity. Insects cannot see yellow light. If fewer insects are drawn to your home, that means there will be fewer spiders near your home.

Desert Guard: Your first line of defense

If you want to keep spiders out of your home, Desert Guard is the right choice. It is designed to address the unique challenges found in our desert environment and provides eco-friendly pest management for your exterior. We address the places spiders hide, reduce the food source they come to eat, and apply physical barriers to keep them out of your home. Contact your Titan Pest Control team today to learn more.  

The benefits of ongoing home pest control

It is always best to deal with spiders on the outside of your home, which is why it pays to have a quality home pest control service plan. We offer regular inspections, routine treatments, and specialized solutions. Our technicians target spiders and the insects they prey upon, creating a comprehensive and natural barrier that prevents pest infestations. Connect with us today to schedule a visit with one of our knowledgeable and friendly technicians and get started with your year-round spider and pest control service.