Spiders

What are spiders?

Spiders are arachnids and are closely related to mites, ticks, and scorpions. Spiders are common household invaders. All spiders have two body regions (cephalothorax and abdomen), eight legs, and fangs (chelicerae). Spiders come in a wide range of colors and sizes. They are beneficial predators, feeding on many nuisance insects.

Two common spider species that can be found in our area of northern New Jersey are the brown recluse spider and the yellow sac spider.

Brown recluse spiders
Brown recluse spiders are yellowish-gray to dark black and their abdomen is covered in gray hairs. Their long legs are darker in color than their bodies. Brown recluse spiders have a unique violin-like pattern found on the top of their bodies. They have three pairs of eyes that are distinctly arranged in a semi-circle.

Yellow sac spiders
Yellow sac spiders are a small species of spider. These spiders are pale beige to yellow in color, and they often have a green tinge. The tips of their eight, long, thin legs are dark brown, and their dark brown eyes are arranged in two rows of four.

Are spiders dangerous?

All spiders have venom, but the venom that most household-invading spiders possess is not strong enough to cause significant health problems in people. Most spiders are nuisance pests and pose no significant threats to people.

Other spiders like brown recluse spiders and yellow sac spiders are dangerous and should be avoided if possible. Their venom is strong enough to cause severe health problems in people that require medical attention and monitoring. Brown recluse spider venom causes necrosis of the tissue around the bite site which can lead to serious infection. A bite from a yellow sac spider causes about as much pain as a bee sting. Its symptoms are similar to brown recluse bites, but these bites are much less severe.

Why do I have a spider problem?

Spiders live outdoors and can be found on almost any northern New Jersey property. Spiders thrive on properties that offer them easy access to their basic necessities of food, water, and shelter. Clogged gutters, bird baths, and dripping hoses can provide spiders with water sources. Gardens, heavy vegetation, and piles of debris attract spiders and offer both food (insects) and shelter. Spiders prefer an outdoor lifestyle, but when their prey moves indoors, they will follow. Spiders may also move indoors and become a problem for homeowners if the weather becomes too hot, dry, cold, or wet for them to live comfortably outdoors.

Where will I find spiders?

Outside, spiders create their webs or burrows in gardens, shrubs, bushes, overgrown vegetation, tall grasses, between rocks and stones, and in woodpiles. Spiders find their way into homes through cracks and crevices in their exterior. Inside homes, spiders create webs and hide in dark, quiet places, such as in the corners of closets and ceilings, in basements, attics, and crawlspaces. They also live inside boxes, in clothing or draperies, under furniture, and underneath sinks.

How do I get rid of spiders?

The best way to solve your northern New Jersey property’s spider problem is to partner with a local pest control company. When you partner with Heritage Pest Control, our reliable and friendly  professionals will be at your residential or commercial property within 24 hours to assess the infestation and recommend treatment. We are proud to provide all of our customers with reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly pest solutions. To learn more about our spider control services, reach out to us!

How can I prevent spiders in the future?

Listed below is a quick prevention guide to help you make your home and property as unappealing as possible to spiders:

• Replace torn screens.

• Keep grass cut short.

• Place weather stripping around windows and doors.

• Seal cracks and crevices in your home's foundation and exterior walls.

• Place mesh covers over vents leading into your home from outdoors.

• Put door sweeps on all exterior doors.

• Trim tall grasses and overgrown vegetation away from the foundation of your building.

• Locate gardens and compost piles a distance away from the outside of your home.

• Remove excess piles of debris like woodpiles, rock piles, leaf piles, and grass piles from your property.

However, the most effective way to keep spiders from infesting your home is to invest in professional spider control services from Heritage Pest Control!