Spiders

What are spiders?

Spiders are a type of arthropod that has eight legs. Insects and spiders are both types of arthropods and have segmented bodies and pairs of segmented legs. Arthropods also are cold-blood and have exoskeletons. Though spiders and insects are both types of arthropods, spiders are not insects; they are arachnids. Being an arachnid means that unlike insects that have three body segments, spiders only have two. Spiders also lack the antennae and wings that insects have. 

Wolf Spiders and house spiders are the two species well-known for entering into Connecticut homes and businesses. You can identify house spiders by the dark chevron markings covering the brown or gray colored body and long legs. Wolf spiders are large, stout, fast-moving spiders.

Are spiders dangerous?

Dangerous spiders in Connecticut produce venom they use to paralyze prey. In some cases, the venom is strong enough to affect people's health, but in most cases, spider venom is only strong enough to cause problems for their insect prey. Additionally, most spiders have fangs too weak or small to pierce through the human skin.

Some people are allergic to proteins in the spider's saliva, and if bitten, may experience swelling and redness around the bite site. Both house spiders and wolf spiders are examples of harmless spiders; if a bite were to occur, the venom would not cause significant health issues.

Why do I have a spider problem?

The supply and demand chart offers an excellent visual for why spiders live in large numbers around your yard. Spiders are predators and hunt insects and other spiders to use as a food source. A property with lots of insect activity is a property that will also have a lot of spider activity.

Spiders are also attracted to areas with a lot of vegetation and clutter where they can hide. Spiders are naturally reclusive and want to stay away from people and the animals that prey upon them as much as possible.

Where will I find spiders?

Outside popular places for spiders to build webs or burrows include:

• Trees
• Shrubs and bushes
• Gardens and landscaping plants
• Outdoor play structures and fences
• Woodpiles or rock walls
• Behind shutters and shingles
• Inside sheds and other outbuildings

Wolf spiders are large spiders that are poor climbers; they don't build webs; instead, they burrow in the ground or under vegetation or objects. They lie in wait for prey to happen by that they can chase down. Inside our homes, wolf spiders regularly live under furniture, the bottoms of closets, in basement clutter, and along the edge of the floor.

House spiders do build webs. They are good climbers and live in locations up off of the ground. Inside our homes, these spiders build webs in doorways, above cabinets, in the corners of rooms, around light fixtures, and along window sills.

How do I get rid of spiders?

Do not try to tackle spiders on your own, partner with an experienced professional. At Rescue 1 Pest & Termite Control, we provide fast response times because we understand how stressful problems with spiders and other pests can be. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, we know how get to get rid of pests in New Haven County homes and businesses and keep them from returning. We've developed our  New Haven pest control services to meet the unique pests control needs of all our customers. Call today to learn more about our residential or commercial pest control offerings!

How can I prevent spiders in the future?

Prevent problems with spiders and other pests using the following prevention tips and the comprehensive pest control services at Rescue 1 Pest & Termite Control:

• Reduce insect activity on your property by keeping lids on trash cans, eliminating standing water from your property, and maintaining garden areas.
• Keep the grass cut short and cut back overgrown shrubs and bushes away from your home.
• Seal cracks and crevices in your home's exterior walls to keep spiders and the insects they feed on out of your house. It is also essential to seal spaces around windows and doors and make sure screens are securely in place.
• Keep deck and porch lights off as much as possible. Use motion detectors to help illuminate your home's exterior only when needed.
• Eliminate water sources and damp environments spiders like to hide in by repairing leaky pipes and fixtures. Clean out clogged gutters. Use dehumidifiers to keep moist areas of your home dry.

Learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Connecticut.