Spider Identification & Prevention
What are spiders?
The desert climate in the Phoenix area allows spiders to remain quite active throughout the entire year. Spiders are nocturnal predators that hide during the day and emerge at night to hunt. Beneficial in nature, spiders help reduce the populations of nuisance insects. However, when they decide to move into our homes, they turn from helpful to unwanted.
Spiders range in size, color, and behaviors, but all adults have two body segments and eight legs. Spiders are arachnids, and like all arachnids, they have no wings and antennae. The five most common species of spiders to live in Arizona yards and homes are:
- Black widow spiders
- Brown recluse spiders
- House spiders
- Wolf spiders
- Daddy longlegs
Are spiders dangerous?
Most of the spiders we come across in our yards and homes are harmless to people. Spiders usually only bite when provoked. As long as you give spiders their space, they are not aggressive and will do their best to stay away from you. However, there are dangerous spiders living in Arizona; both the black widow and brown recluse have venom potent enough to trigger negative reactions in people. While neither species is typically life-threatening, being bitten by one does produce symptoms that a healthcare provider should take a look at.
Why do I have a spider problem?
The reason spiders are on your property is because it provides food, shelter, and water that they and their insect prey can utilize. Yards with a lot of vegetation, gardens, and standing water are attractive to insects. The more insect activity you have on your property, the more spiders you will see.
Where will I find spiders?
Spiders hide away during the day in their dark, secluded hiding spots. Some of their favorite hiding spots include trees, shrubbery, woodpiles, and yard debris. They also like to hang out under decks and porch steps, doorways, roof eaves, and outdoor light fixtures.
Spiders move indoors following their prey, moving through openings in your home’s exterior that they discover while crawling along its surface. Inside, they hide in dark, quiet areas like in basements, closets, and the corners of rooms, above cabinets, and under couches and other large pieces of furniture.
Most people associate finding spider webs with a spider infestation, but it is important to note that not all spiders make webs. Just because you don’t see spider webs doesn’t mean your home is free of spiders! Many spider species create burrows instead of webs.
How do I get rid of spiders?
The best way to protect your Phoenix area property from a spider infestation is to partner with a professional. At Overson Pest Control, we can help you make spiders feel unwelcome on your property with the help of our effective pest control treatments.
We care about our customers and are committed to solving your pest problems, no matter how big or small they may be! With pest control services backed by a 100% guarantee and unlimited free re-services, you can trust that we'll rid your property of spiders and help prevent them from returning.
To learn more about getting started with spider control for your home, reach out to Overson Pest Control today!
How can I prevent spiders in the future?
In addition to our home pest control and commercial pest control services, protect your property from spiders with the following prevention tips:
- First and foremost, inspect your home’s exterior and seal any openings you discover in the foundation or exterior walls.
- Keep covers on vents, chimneys, and drains.
- Keep your lawn well-maintained.
- Keep landscaping trimmed to eliminate hiding spots.
- Keep your home and yard free of the clutter and debris that spiders and their insect prey like to hide in.
- Make your property less attractive to the insects that spiders hunt by keeping lids on trash cans, keeping outdoor eating areas free of food debris, and keeping outdoor lights off whenever possible.
Helpful Spider Articles
