Spider Identification & Prevention

What are Spiders?

Spiders are predatory arachnids that get their food by injecting prey with venom and then liquefying its insides to suck them out. There are over 35,000 species of spiders in the world, and we have more than 3,000 right here in the United States. The good news is, despite the admittedly horrifying way they feed themselves, most of the spiders you will run across in your home are going to be harmless.

Let American Pest Control provide you with the services you need. Call us at (706) 702-4532 to schedule an appointment with a member of our team!

Are Spiders Dangerous?

Most common household spiders you will find in Georgia are not a threat. It's true that all spiders are venomous, but most of the spiders in our area do not possess venom that is potent enough to put people or even pets in any real danger.

The two exceptions to this rule in our home state are the black widow and the brown recluse. Both of these spider species can be dangerous, though they are not often deadly. Their venom is potent enough to require medical intervention, which is why it is important to keep all spiders out of your house. Black widows are very distinct-looking, but brown recluses are difficult to distinguish from any other brown spider, so you don't always know whether a spider is harmless.

Why Do I Have a Spider Problem?

Unlike many other pests, spiders do not have any real reason to come into our homes. They don't eat our food, and they don't need our shelter. The only real reason for you to wind up with a spider infestation is that you have another infestation of prey drawing them in. If your home is full of cockroaches, flies, or other things spiders love to eat, then the spiders will come running.

Where Will I Find Spiders?

Where you find spiders can often depend on the spider species you encounter. Different kinds of spiders prefer different hiding spots. For instance, you may find common house spiders weaving webs in the corners of your home near the ceiling. Big, hairy wolf spiders love to hide beneath things like appliances, wood piles, and other clutter. Brown recluses can be found in similar places. Meanwhile, black widows prefer dark and damp areas, like crawl spaces and utility boxes.

How Can I Prevent Spiders in the Future?

Getting rid of spiders in Georgia might be next to impossible to do on your own, but there are some things you can do to prevent yourself from ever having to deal with them in the first place, including:

• Cover your trash
• Declutter your house and yard
• Deal with moisture issues
• Store pantry foods in airtight containers
• Knock down webs wherever you find them
• Seal your home's exterior

Some of these tips can help discourage creepy spiders themselves, but most of them are to keep spider prey away from your home. And don't forget, if you wind up with an infestation despite your best efforts, the experts here at American Pest Control are just around the corner.