The usually harmless spider doesn't seem so harmless when they’re in your home and won’t leave. While most spiders don’t pose a major threat to humans, they are still an unwelcome sight in the home. Spiders enter the home with the main goal of searching for a food source, which is made up of other pests. So if Salt Lake City homeowners have a spider problem, it undoubtedly means that you have a pest infestation of another sort, and that needs to be addressed as well.
Here are some of the spiders that homeowners in the Salt Lake City area might expect to encounter:
Long-bodied cellar spiders. Otherwise known as daddy-long-legs, this type of spider tends to hide in cellars, as the name suggests. Long and slender in shape, this spider may also make itself at home inside closets, windows, and bath traps. They seek areas of high humidity and moisture.
Black widow spiders. As the most iconic type of spider, black widows are easy to spot due to their shiny black coloring. They are in search of somewhere dry and dark to hide, so wood piles, hollow tree stumps, and piles of stones make for a comfortable home. They don't often bite people, but they are venomous, so if humans are bitten by a black widow spider, they can expect to have significant pain, shortness of breath, and nausea as a result. Seek medical treatment if you think you've been bitten by a black widow.
House spiders. This large spider says it all in the name — they live inside the home. Homeowners can most commonly identify them because they tend to hide in closets and underneath furniture. If they do find their way outside, look to sheds, barns, and garages, where they hope to lure and catch prey.
Jumping spiders. With their furry bodies and big eyes, jumping spiders are easily spotted. Fun fact: they have the best vision of all other spiders and can spot their prey from a far distance. They tend to do their hunting inside windows and door jambs.
Why And How Spiders Make It To Your Home
Spiders primarily enter your home looking for other pests that they can feast on. They are looking for food or water, and you should provide them with neither. If you have a problem with spiders, then you most certainly have a problem with other pests.
Preventing Spiders In Your Home
In order to get rid of spiders, Salt Lake City residents must also get rid of any other pests. Here are a handful of tips that can give you a pest-free home:
Practice web sweepings. This removes a spider's home and spot to bring their prey back to.
Store food properly. Since most pests enter the home looking for a good meal, be sure to store all food in airtight containers and don’t leave anything uncovered on the counter for long periods of time.
Take out the trash. Garbage is a key offender to attracting every kind of pest from wasps to flies, so be sure to store the trash securely while it’s inside the home and remove it regularly. Keep the trash bin clean on the inside as well, cleaning up after anything that may have spilled and left behind residue.
Seal up entry points. Many pests, spiders included, find their way into your home through cracks in doors and through vulnerable areas in your home's foundation. Securely seal up any cracks, replace worn weather stripping, and patch up any broken screens on doors and windows.
Address moisture issues. Most pests need water to thrive and in order to lay their eggs. Check faucets, sinks, and irrigation systems regularly and be sure to clear out any areas of still water to keep pests like mosquitoes and flies at bay.
Keep a tidy home. Many pests flock to things like dirty bathrooms or sugary spills, so cleaning up thoroughly and regularly is key for keeping out pests of all kinds. This can also include clearing up any clutter in or around your home, as pests will often use clutter as refuge from predatory insects, such as spiders.
The best way to eradicate an issue with spiders in your home is with professional assistance from the team at Pest Pro Pest Control. For effective pest control, contact us today!