Now that spring is officially here and warmer weather is right around the corner, many of us will be turning our attention to seasonal tasks that need to be done around the home. Spring cleaning provides the opportunity to spruce up your surroundings and uncover any problems or repairs that need attending to. One of the most common issues homeowners encounter at this time of year is the presence of certain types of pests. Spiders, in particular, can be found spinning their webs in attics, cellars, crawl spaces, or just about any dark corner. To protect your household and prevent an infestation, it is important to call in Pointe Pest Control. Our pest control specialists uncover places that spiders may be hiding and provide effective solutions so you can enjoy a pest-free home.
Common Spiders Around Your Home
Spiders are a common problem in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and all throughout the Pacific Northwest. Dense forests, grassy fields, and numerous waterways all provide an ideal location for spiders to live. Did you know there are more than 500 different species of spiders common in our area? Unfortunately, with the warmer weather, rain, and snow melts that are common in the spring, many of these end up multiplying and can easily make their way into your home. Among the most common spiders you are likely to encounter over the course of your spring cleaning include:
- Hobo spiders: These small, brown spiders get their name from the way they attach themselves to humans, ‘hitchhiking’ from outdoor areas into your home.
- Giant house spider: Similar to hobo spiders in that they are hitchhikers, these are larger in size with orange or light brown shading and are often found in stored boxes.
- Yellow sac spider: This spider’s namesake color and the fact that they may actually crawl onto you at night makes them easy to spot and identify.
- Cellar spider: This thin, brown spider can often be found hanging from webs in your garage or around doorways.
- Wolf spider: These dark brown, large spiders have a long leg span, causing them to be mistaken for tarantulas, They mainly live outdoors but can get into your home under doors or through cracks in walls.
- Black widow: One of the most notorious and feared types of spiders, black widows tend to breed in dry, dark places and can be aggressive in protecting their eggs.
All of the above spiders are poisonous to some degree and may bite to defend themselves from threats. If you suspect a spider problem in your home, call in the professionals.
Spring Cleaning Tips: Preventative Pest Control
While many people suffer from arachnophobia or fear of spiders, spiders can serve a useful purpose. They may eat other types of bugs, such as gnats, flies, and moths, as well as common disease-transmitting pests such as mosquitoes and cockroaches. However, despite these potential benefits, most people do not want to deal with a spider problem in their home. If you live with small children, pets, or elderly family members, they can pose significant health risks.
Once you call in our pest control experts to inspect your property and treat any problems that exist, there are some simple steps you can take to keep spiders from returning to your home in the future:
- Seal any cracks in exterior walls and siding, particularly around your foundation, where spiders often gain entry.
- Eliminate any gaps around doorways and windows, which can also help lower utility costs while preventing pests from getting in.
- Refrain from using cardboard boxes for storing items you are not using in closets, pantries, attics, basements, or crawl spaces.
- Trim trees, bushes, and tall grasses around your property and remove old leaves or other yard waste as soon as possible.
- Avoid stacking firewood, timber, or building materials next to your home, garage, or deck.
- Reduce your overall amount of clutter, which can make your home easier to clean and maintain while eliminating places for spiders or other pests to hide.
Contact a Local Spider Control Company
As part of your spring cleaning tasks, get Point Pest Control to come out and do a free inspection of your home. We can quickly identify spiders or other unwelcome pests while offering solutions that are safe yet highly effective. To set up an appointment or to get more information, call or contact our pest control experts online today.
