Spiders

What are spiders?

Spiders are not insects; they are arachnids. All spiders have two body parts, chelicerae (fangs), and eight legs. Unlike insects that have wings and antennae, spiders lack both. Depending on their species, spiders come in a variety of sizes and color patterns. Spiders are beneficial pests that prey and feed on garden pests and other nuisance insects. Some of the most common spiders in our area of North Carolina are black widow spiders, brown recluse spiders, and house spiders.

Are spiders dangerous?

Most species of spiders that live throughout the United States are harmless, and they and their webs are just an annoyance. The house spider is an example of a nuisance spider species. All spiders contain venom, but only the species with venom strong enough to cause health problems in people are dangerous. Black widow spiders and brown recluse spiders are both types of dangerous spiders, and you should avoid contact with both.

Why do I have a spider problem?

Our yards attract spiders because they offer them plenty of places to hide and build their webs or burrows. They also provide plenty of insects in which to hunt and eat. Our home’s exterior walls also offer spiders lots of places for these reclusive creatures to hide — behind shingles, shutters, and under roof eaves.

As spiders move along our home’s exterior walls hunting for food, they often find their way inside through small cracks, crevices, and other openings. They may also decide to move indoors during periods of extreme weather.

Where will I find spiders?

Spiders build their webs or burrows in protected areas. They often create their webs under decks, in doorways, behind window shutters, along the edge of rooflines, in woodpiles, and tall grasses or dense vegetation.

Those spiders that find their way indoors place their webs in dark, quiet areas like basements, attics, and crawl spaces. Spiders also regularly find their way into outbuildings such as sheds, garages, and barns.

How do I get rid of spiders?

Eliminating household pests is a job best left to professionals. Get rid of spiders and other household pests from your Wilmington area home with the help of the local experts at Jay Taylor Exterminating. With over 80 years of experience in the industry, we know how to get pests out and keep them out! We deliver high-quality pest control and exceptional customer service that you can count on.

For homeowners looking to maintain a pest-free household, reach out to Jay Taylor Exterminating Co. and learn about our residential pest control solutions!

How can I prevent spiders in the future?

Avoid attracting spiders to your North Carolina property by implementing some of these spider prevention tips in and around your home:

• Repair any cracks and crevices found in your foundation, exterior walls, and roofline.

• Remove debris like fallen trees, leaf piles, rock piles, and excess wood piles from your yard where spiders can hide. 

• Replace torn or loose screens.

• Keep doors and windows to garages, sheds, and other outbuildings closed as much as possible.

• Cut back overgrown grass and other vegetation from your foundation. 

• Keep your house free of clutter. 

• Regularly remove spider webs from your home.