a spider crawling on a persons arm There’s a reason spiders often appear in scary stories and creepy places. These hunters are common pests and have given people a scare for as long as people have been building homes for spiders to invade. Learning how to prevent spiders and the pests they feed on is the only way you can stay on top of these crawling arachnids.

Spiders: Scary Pests

Spiders are eight-legged horrors that many people are deathly afraid of. Some of that fear might be irrational, especially because most spiders aren’t even venomous to people and pets. However, a spider’s unsightly appearance makes them perfect pest for conjuring up a fright, especially when they get inside of people’s homes.

Unlike other pests, spiders don’t invade because they need access to our food and shelter. Spiders are carnivores, not foragers, and they have a built-in antifreeze system that keeps them from freezing in cold weather. That isn’t to say spiders don’t invade homes, however, much the opposite. They will indeed venture into people yards and find ways inside of structures, seeking out insect prey to eat. It’s this trait that makes spiders the first sign of larger pest problems on your property.

Are Spiders Dangerous?

All spiders carry venom that they use to subdue or kill the bugs they hunt. In North America, we don’t have many spiders with venom that is potent enough to be harmful to people or pets, thankfully. Even those that pack more powerful bites, like black widows and brown recluses, are docile and rarely bite things that are so much larger than them. That doesn’t mean spiders are completely harmless, however, and you definitely don’t want to leave them to prowl around your property. Not only can their numerous webs become a nuisance, spiders only invade properties because other pests are already there. That means if you spot spiders inside your home, you need to act quickly to address the other, unseen issues that are likely forming.

Spider Prevention For Your Home

Because they eat other pests, spider prevention is really about protecting against a wide range of insects that spiders hunt. Here are some ways you can make your home less attractive to all kinds of pests, and ways to keep spiders out completely:

Food Storage: Spiders don’t care about crumbs or pantries, but they do care about the other pests that search these things out. Keep food stored in secure areas and deep clean for food traces.
Trash Storage: You need to make sure your trash isn’t accessible, since the food waste we throw away is just as good as any other meal to a bug.
Crack Sealing: Tiny holes and cracks can amount to large entrances for tiny bugs and spiders. You should check for and fix anything you find around your exterior.
Wood Storage: Most spiders prefer dark, woody areas to nest and nap during the day. Storing yard debris or woodpiles too close to your home provides them with a close-proximity base of operations.

Superior Spider Protection Is Our Game

Because spiders are signs of larger pest problems, you should really use them as the warning sign that they are. Rather than try to keep spiders and their prey out all on your own, turn instead to the assistance of pest professionals. At Pestmaster^® Services, our technicians know all the pests that attract spiders and how to curb their numbers.

If existing pest populations are found, our pest control solutions are guaranteed to drive them out and address the eggs that are most likely stashed elsewhere in your home. It all starts with a routine inspection of your home, which we can schedule right away. We’ll search high and low for signs of pest activity, helping you to determine what prevention steps still need to be taken to truly protect your home from spiders and other invading pests. Don’t let spiders scare you senseless, contact Pestmaster^® Services today.