Spiders typically prefer to live in dark, moist environments, so it is no surprise that you are most likely to find them in basements, crawl spaces, attics, and closets. It is always best to be on the safe side when protecting yourself and your family. So if you need an extra hand, don’t hesitate to contact your local pest control company. Below are the most common spiders found in North Texas.
Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa)
Brown recluse spiders are golden brown and have a distinctive dark brown or black fiddle-shaped pattern on their head.
They are venomous, and their venom contains necrotizing enzymes, which can cause local or systemic reactions. If you suspect envenomization, go to the ER immediately.
Wolf Spider (Rabidosa rabida)
Wolf spiders are dark brown and have stripes that run down their abdomen and cephalothorax. These spiders are typically found in wooded areas, cotton fields, beneath rocks, shrubs, and debris.
These spiders are technically venomous, but they rarely bite and are not dangerous to humans.
Jumping Spider (Salticidae spp.)
Jumping spiders have over 6,000 described species, but you can determine whether a spider is a jumping spider because of the shape of their cephalothorax and their eye patterns.
All jumping spiders have four pairs of eyes, and their cephalothorax is longer than wide and is connected to the abdomen by a thin waist referred to as the pedicel.
Their bite resembles a mosquito bite but may hurt as much as a bee sting.
Cellar Spider (Pholcidae spp.)
Cellar spiders, also sometimes known as “daddy longlegs,” have more than 1,800 species in their family. These spiders can be identified as cellar spiders due to their extremely long and thin legs.
There is an urban myth that these are some of the world’s most dangerous spiders, but they are non-venomous and are not known to bite humans.
Orb-Weaver Spider (Araneidae spp.)
Orb-weaver spiders have 3,108 different species in the family Araneidae. These types of spiders have eight similar eyes, hairy or spiny legs, and no stridulating organs (body parts that, when rubbed together, produce a sound).
Orb-weavers rarely bite, but when they do, the bite is comparable to a bee sting unless the victim is hyper-allergic to the venom.
Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans)
Black widow spiders are often identified by the colored, hourglass-shaped mark on their abdomens. This is a spider to watch out for, as its venom is reported to be fifteen times stronger than a rattlesnake’s.
Bites can be fatal, but typically only to small children, elderly people, or those who are infirm.
Why You Need Spider Control
Spiders play an important role in the natural ecosystem, but if they become too numerous, they can cause a variety of problems. Below are some of those issues.
Spider Bites
Although the majority of spider bites are not harmful to humans, some of them can be detrimental. If you have a hard time identifying spiders, this could result in a very unpleasant surprise, especially if you have small children in the home.
If you suspect someone has been bitten by a brown recluse or a black widow, contact the Texas Poison Center Network at 1-800-222-1222 or your family physician.
Contaminated Food
A spider infestation can cause contamination of food in the kitchen or pantry. Taking action to prevent spiders is the best way to avoid these risks.
Spider Webs
When you have a spider infestation, you will see a lot more than a single spider web off in a corner. If there is an infestation, you may see spiderwebs all over everything.
If this is the case, act quickly and call a professional like Gecko Green! Our technicians can help to eliminate and prevent spiders from multiplying uncontrollably.
Burrows
Some spiders dig burrows or live in confined spaces around the house. These spiders frequently hide in or under cabinets, cracks in the walls, basements, and crawl spaces.
Certain spider species can make their home in any gap in your foundation.
To prevent infestation, our licensed technicians will fill any gaps or cracks in the home’s foundation so spiders can’t simply escape and return later.
Spider Bite Prevention
The best way to prevent spider bites is to prevent spiders from entering your home in the first place. Keep reading to see the best spider control methods.
Non-Chemical Spider Control
Reduce lighting outside the house that might attract insects. If there is no food supply for the spiders, they are less likely to be around.
Trim grass and treat weeds around the building to discourage insects and spiders from living nearby.
Seal any openings around the home with caulking. However, do not seal weep holes as they are needed to drain water. Instead, contact Gecko Green about our pest control services, and our trained technicians can stuff the weep holes with copper mesh instead.
Vacuum regularly, especially in corners, cracks, and crevices, to suck up any spiders, webs, or egg sacs.
Spider Repellents
In a spray bottle, combine 15-20 drops of peppermint essential oil with water and spray along floorboards and in corners. Other essential oils that will work as well include eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, tea tree, and citrus essential oils.
In a spray bottle, combine equal parts white vinegar and water and spray around the house.
Diatomaceous earth can be applied in thin layers to difficult-to-reach areas such as cracks, corners, and around windows and baseboards.
This dehydrates and kills many household pests but take care not to use it near food preparation areas.
Chemical Spider Control
If you feel like the infestation is too much to handle, don’t be afraid to contact us here at Gecko Green!
Our professionals can help protect your home with interior and exterior treatments for spider infestations by means of contact insecticides and repellents.
Once your home has been treated, make sure you continue vacuuming anywhere you have seen spiders and in cracks and crevices to make sure you suck up any egg sacs, webs, or spiders.
Whether you already have spiders on your property or you just want to prevent them from invading in the future, Gecko Green can help!
