We all know that life can throw a lot of problems at us, some more serious than others, causing us to prioritize what we deal with and when. So, when we see a spiderweb in the corner of a room or hanging off of a ceiling fan, we might brush it off for another time. But that’s the problem: we never actually brush the spider web off. You might not be putting yourself in danger, but allowing spiders to gain a foothold in your home can shed some light on some detrimental pest prevention practices (or lack thereof). We know you’re busy. Everyone is. But if we told you there was a way to get rid of spiders for good, wouldn’t you take an interest?
The Spiders Of Salado
The spiders in Salado can be broken down into two categories. On one hand, you have the common home-invading spiders who pose no actual threat to humans. On the other hand, you have the more rare, yet far more dangerous spiders that you might bump into every now and then.
The only two dangerous species of spider in Texas are the brown recluse spider and the black widow spider. Both are extremely rare in the area, but you could come into contact with them in very low-traffic and cluttered areas of your home and yard. The brown recluse spider is light brown in color with a dark violin-shaped marking on its back. It’s typically about the size of a quarter if you include its nearly translucent legs. The black widow spider is even smaller, featuring a black, bulbous abdomen with the famous red hourglass marking on it.
The non-dangerous spiders of the area, which you are far more likely to encounter, include wolf spiders, jumping spiders, and American house spiders. The house spiders will range in color and are incredibly small. Jumping spiders mean no harm, but these brown or yellow pests may surprise you by jumping very high when you get near them. The wolf spider, on the other hand, is all bark and no bite. The biggest of the home-invading spiders, wolf spiders are brown, hairy, and can grow to more than six inches in circumference. Fortunately, though, they cannot transfer their venom to humans.
Preventing Unsightly Infestations
Since almost all of the spiders that invade your property are not dangerous, you really don’t have to worry about health hazards if you notice spider activity in your home. However, sharing a bathroom with an eight-legged invader is never a fun feeling. Plus, spiderwebs will collect insects, dirt, dust, pet hair, and trash, creating an unsightly situation in many rooms of the house.
In order to avoid this, you’ll want to make your home less attractive to spiders. They are very hard to keep out of your house, but if you limit their food sources within the house, you can avoid an infestation. Spiders feed on other insects, dead and alive, so preventing insects from invading your house can also take care of your arachnid problem. Ways to limit pest activity in your home include:
- Proper food and trash storage
- Cleaning up clutter
- Routine cleaning habits
- Addressing moisture issues
- Sealing up cracks and crevices
If you want to focus more on keeping the spiders out as well, there are a few specific prevention methods that apply:
- Dewebbing. This frustrates spiders and might encourage them to find a new home.
- Proper wood storage. Stacks of firewood are popular spider hangouts and should be stored away from the property.
- Monitoring entry points. Keep an eye out for holes and tears in any screens, and make sure that your exterior doors have proper weatherstripping.
Unfortunately, you can do everything right and still have to deal with spiders in your house. At the end of the day, there’s no substitute for the guaranteed results of professional pest control done right. Contact White Knight Pest Control for more advice or assistance.