Should I Be Concerned About the Spiders in My House?

They may give you the creeps, but spiders are really just more of a nuisance than a health hazard. In fact, having a few spiders around your home can be advantageous as they will help to keep away harmful pests and disease-carrying insects like ticks, fleas, and cockroaches. Spiders are also extremely beneficial to our ecosystem and control the number of bugs that destroy plants and crops, which is why scientists ask us not to kill them.

Instead, safely trap them and release them outside whenever possible. Having one or two spiders in your home isn’t a big deal or cause for concern, but what happens when you start spotting spiders on a regular basis? Once spiders start to take over your home, it’s time to consider a more viable solution that can prevent an infestation. If cleaning doesn’t improve your situation, you’ll need the help of a pest control professional to remove the pests from your home and stop them from coming back. 

What Spiders Are Really Telling You

Spiders can also be used as a warning sign that you have a bigger pest problem at home. Since spiders feed on other insects, you likely already have a pest problem if you are finding an abundance of spiders inside. In this case, you’ll need the help of a pest control professional to get things under control.

When You Should Become Concerned

It is important to remember that spiders are not out to get you and they actually prefer to avoid human contact. However, if they feel threatened or become trapped in your shoe, for instance, they can and will bite you. Fortunately, there is really only one spider that you have to worry about in Canada and that is the Black Widow. The neurotoxins in their venom can cause severe muscle cramps, sweating, headaches, high blood pressure, and in rare cases, seizures and death. Thankfully, black widow spiders are not very common in Canada and only the female is dangerous to humans. You are more likely to come in contact with a garden spider, dock spider, house spider, cellar spider or jumping spiders which are harmless.

How Do Spiders Get Inside in the First Place?

Spiders first look for cracks in your doors and windows as well as other crevices and openings throughout your home. Then they move indoors in search of food (other pests), warmth, and moisture. Some spiders even make their way inside by way of plants, firewood, and in boxes that are stored in the basement or attic.

Once they’re inside they’ll start spinning webs so they can mate in the spring and summer. Each egg sac contains thousands of eggs, which only takes a few weeks to develop and hatch. Most of these spiders will only live about a year but some species can live for over a decade in the right environment.

How Do You Get Rid of Them?  

If you have noticed a number of webs or spiders inside your home, your first line of defence should be to check your doors and windows to ensure they are properly sealed to prevent spiders from gaining access through any gaps. Then your next move should be to clean your home thoroughly. Vacuuming regularly around the house, especially inside the cupboards and along the ceiling and doorways, can clear away webs, spiders, and the dusty environment that they like. You should also keep any closets, crawl spaces, and pantry areas clear of clutter and boxes that make the perfect hiding places. If these tactics don’t stop the spiders from returning, you’ll need to contact a pest control specialist to prevent the spiders from invading and mating.

How Can Pest Specialists Help?

Pest specialists can identify the specific types of spiders that are in your home, where they are entering and their common hiding spots. Depending on the severity of the problem, the technician will design a unique program for your situation. They can also put in preventive measures to stop the spiders from returning and set up recurring maintenance plans for those who live in areas that are more prone to spider infestations, such as areas that are closer to water.

If you only notice the occasional spider around your home, there’s no cause for concern. But if your home has become invaded with spiders, it’s time to call us at Orkin Canada. Our team of pest management professionals will do a full assessment to find the areas where they are entering and then remove the pests before a serious infestation can occur. We can also take care of all your other pest issues whether cockroaches, fleas, ants, bed bugs, rodents, or otherwise. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists!