What are spiders?
Spiders are part of the arachnid family and are a prey species that generally hunt and feed upon insects and other spiders. Spiders have 8 legs and an unsegmented body whose head and thorax are fused together; they often have a rounded shape to their abdomen. Spiders may or may not spin webs to capture their prey and all have fangs that they use to inject venom into their prey in order to paralyze them.
What do spiders look like?
The three most common species of spiders that can invade homes in our area include the:
Brown recluse– Brown recluse spiders have an oblong abdomen that is covered in gray hairs; their body can be yellowish-gray to dark brown in color. Brown recluse spiders are known for their “violin” shaped pattern located on the top of their body. Their three pairs of eyes are organized into a semi-circle pattern. Adults can grow to be ¼ to ½ of an inch in length.
Black widow– Adult black widow spiders can grow to be 1 ½ – 1 3/8th of an inch in length. Their bodies are shiny black in color and they have a red “hourglass-like” shape on their back; their abdomen can have light red or white spots on it.
House Spider– House Spiders, as their name suggests, are the most common spider species to invade homes. They are brownish-yellow in color and have darker angled strips on their legs and body. Adults will grow to be about 1/8th- 5/16th of an inch in length.
Do spiders bite?
Yes, all spiders have the ability to bite. However, many species do not have fangs that are strong enough to puncture the human skin, and even if they do break the skin more often than not their venom is not strong enough to cause a reaction in a human.
Are spiders dangerous?
Yes, although most spider species are considered nuisance pests and not harmless- spiders are considered to be dangerous because of their ability to bite. It is important to note that spiders typically only bite if they are being directly handled or feel threatened.
If you are bitten by a venomous spider including the black widow or brown recluse you should see a doctor to seek treatments and to ensure that severe allergic reaction does not occur. The bite from a black widow spider can affect a person’s nervous system, while the venom from a brown recluse can cause severe tissue ulceration around the bite site that can take months to heal.
Why do I have a spider problem in my home?
Spiders usually live and hunt outdoors, but will look to move indoors in extreme weather conditions, to overwinter, and accidentally as they are searching for prey.
Once inside, spiders will hide in the dark secluded areas of your home like the corners of walls, in closets, in clothing, underneath of furniture, and in basement and attic areas.
Can I do it myself?
No, DIY pest control for spiders is not recommended; controlling these pest can be a difficult and frustrating task, and finding all the spiders hiding in your home is almost an impossible task. Pesticides that can be purchased at hardware and other big box stores are often ineffective and can be dangerous to people and pets if they are not mixed, used, or placed properly.
How soon can you get here?
Schendel understands just how stressful pest problems can be for home and business owners. We are committed to helping our customers control and eliminate pest problems as quickly as possible, and in most instances Schendel’s experts are able to respond to service requests the same day or very next day.
Is the treatment safe?
Yes, our treatment methods are safe for use around people, pets, and plants. Our technicians use the least amount of material possible to solve your pest problem whether that is using natural products, baits, or conventional products.
Schendel follows very strict guidelines, and all of our conventional products are EPA registered, further ensuring the safety of their use.
How much does it cost?
All of our pest services are affordably and competitively priced, and may be dependent on the size of your home and numbers of treatments that are required to solve your specific pest problem. We are able to provide our customers with FREE quotes; and our technicians are dedicated to making sure that you are aware of any changes to the price of your service before treatment begins.
We take pride in communicating openly and honestly with our customers ensuring that there are no surprises for you during the billing process.
How can I prevent spiders in the future?
Preventing spider infestations can be difficult; having a year-round pest control plan in place will help to control spiders and other common household pests that may attract them to your home as a food source. Other things that you can do around your home to help prevent problems with spiders include: sealing cracks in the foundation, caulking around windows and doors, installing door sweeps, and keeping storage areas clutter free.
