The Trick To Keeping Spiders Out Of Your Houston Home

When it comes to spider pest control in Houston, knowledge is power. The more you know about spiders, the better your chances will be of keeping them out of your home. At All-Safe Pest & Termite, we know a lot about the pests we provide service for, and we are very familiar with the common spiders of Houston. Today, we're going to share some helpful spider facts that will give you the knowledge to reduce spider activity around your home and keep spiders outside, where they belong.

Common Species Of Spiders In Houston

Identification is the first step in any pest control plan. We have many common spiders in our area, but they fall into three basic categories that pertain to spider control. There are spiders that prefer to be outside, there are spiders that prefer to be inside, and there are spiders that occasionally invade human structures.

• The spiders that typically stay outside are funnel weavers, garden spiders, orb weavers, etc.
• The spiders that prefer to be inside are called house spiders. There are many spiders in this group, including one type of spider that is called the common house spider. This can be a little confusing. Common house spiders, also known as American house spiders, are tiny spiders that create multiple webs within structures. If you own a home, it is likely that you're familiar with these spiders. You're probably also familiar with long-bodied cellar spiders which are often found in garages, sheds, barns, and storerooms. The worst of all common house spiders is the brown recluse spider. It has a venom that presents a threat to human health.
• The spiders that get in occasionally are wolf spiders and widow spiders. While they have no trouble being inside, these two types of spiders would much rather be outside where there is humidity and available water sources. Wolf spiders are hairy spiders that present little or no threat to people. Widow spiders are hairless spiders that may be black or brown. A bite from a black widow spider or a brown widow spider can make you sick, so be on the watch for these.

Spiders that stay outside can easily be excluded from your home as they don't want to be in inside. Spiders that live in your home will require indoor and outdoor control. Spiders that get in occasionally may only require external preventative measures.

Why Spiders Invade Homes

There are a few reasons why a spider might enter your home. It is important that you be aware of them.

• Weather conditions outside can drive spiders in. If we have a drought, heavy rains, or cold temperatures, spiders can move indoors.
• The insects spiders eat are sensitive to changes in the weather. When insects move indoors, spiders can move indoors to find them and eat them.
• Spiders can accidentally get inside as they explore gaps and cracks.

It is essential to make a greater effort to seal your exterior when weather conditions are harsh outside. Take steps to reduce insect populations so spiders don't have a reason to be near your home or a reason to get inside your home when insects go into hiding.

Five Simple & Effective Spider Prevention Tips For Your Home

These five simple and effective spider prevention tips are connected to what we've talked about so far. If you roll your sleeves up and do the work, you'll have fewer encounters with spiders in your house.

1. Seal your exterior. Use a caulking gun to seal gaps in the outside of your home. Replace weatherstripping, door sweeps, screens, and other protective items. Repair wood.
2. Reduce insects. Replace exterior white lights with yellow lights. Make sure all trash is in covered containers. Keep on top of pest waste clean-up.
3. Reduce moisture. Clear blockages out of gutters and repair any damaged gutters. Remove weeds and unwanted grass from your landscaping.
4. Remove hiding places. Move stacked wood, dead branches, and other wood sources away from your home. Blow leaves out of your landscaping and out from underneath structures. Reduce lawn clutter.
5. Keep your home clean. This one is for those common house spiders. When you keep your home clean, you reduce insect and spider activity.
6. If you apply these control methods, you can get rid of spiders and keep them out. When you want more control than this, we recommend contacting a licensed professional. This is the best way to get rid of spiders and keep spiders from entering your home.

Why Professional Pest Control Is The Best Spider Control

Spiders don't stop coming into your yard, and they don't stop exploring your exterior. Professional pest control provides protection for your exterior all year long. In every season, you get appropriate treatments to reduce insects and spiders. If you've had enough of spiders in your Houston home, reach out to All-Safe Pest & Termite today. We can help you with our spider control program that will benefit your home and family.