Spider Identification & Prevention

Spiders are arachnids and have two body regions, eight legs, and fangs (chelicerae) used to inject their prey with venom. Most species have eight eyes, though some have up to twelve, and they lack antennae and wings. Spiders use their pedipalps, which are segmented appendages attached to the cephalothorax (head), to sense objects. Spiders do not feed on plants; they are predators and feed on a variety of nuisance insects, other spiders, and more. All spiders produce silk, but not all species make webs with their silk. Spiders that don’t create webs instead make burrows. There are many species of spiders living in and around our properties.

The most common species of spiders to invade homes and businesses in our areas of North Carolina and Virginia are listed below.

• Black widow spiders
• Hobo spiders
• Brown recluse spiders
• Wolf spiders
• Daddy long legs

While suddenly coming upon spiders in our homes and backyards is startling, the good news is that most spiders we come across are nuisance pests and pose no significant danger to people. Hobo spiders, daddy longlegs, and wolf spiders are all examples of nuisance spiders living in our area.

Black widows and brown recluse spiders are examples of dangerous spiders that live in our area. While all spiders contain venom, dangerous spiders have venom that is strong enough to create health problems in people. The venom from a black widow spider affects the nervous system, and brown recluse spider venom causes the ulceration of tissue around the bite. You should always be careful around spiders, dangerous or nuisance, as they invade properties in large numbers and are frustrating pests to deal with.

Spiders look for properties that offer them an ample supply of food to settle down on. Things like gardens, thick vegetation, woodpiles, and trees attract a lot of insects and spiders who are hunting and feed on them. Spiders live outside but will move into homes, garages, sheds, and other outbuildings when following their food sources.

Most spiders are nocturnal and tend to be more active during the late summer and fall seasons, hunting during the evening hours. Spiders are reclusive and build their nests or burrows in quiet, secluded spots. Brown recluse and black widow spiders build their irregular-shaped webs at ground level. Wolf spiders create burrows in the ground under woodpiles, shrubs, and bushes. Spider webs are also found above ground in bushes, shrubs, tall grass, trees, under roof eaves, inside doorways, and under decks. Inside, spiders hide in attics, basements, bathrooms, closets, kitchens, under furniture, and sinks. They also hide in stored clothing, shoes, and bedding; shaking these items out before using them helps to prevent spider bites.

Professional home pest control is the best way to eliminate pests and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our pest management professionals are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding their expectations. To eliminate pests from your home or business once and for all, contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Prevent problems with spiders in Elizabeth City, NC, and surrounding areas by combining our professional services with the following prevention tips:

• Place gardens and woodpiles a distance away from the outside of your property.
• Place mesh covers over vents leading into your home or business.
• Eliminate water sources inside and outside your property.
• Keep storage areas organized to limit hiding spots.
• Keep all of the grass cut short.
• Make sure window and door screens are entirely intact.
• Seal up openings in the foundation, exterior walls, and roofline.
• Remove debris and clutter from your property and yard where spiders can hide.
• Cut back tree branches, shrubs, and bushes away from the exterior of your home or business.