While most spiders are harmless, some, like the Brown Recluse Spider and Black Widow Spiders can pose risks and may require extra caution. To keep spiders out of your house, first you need to understand why they come inside. Then, learn how to break that cycle. While DIY efforts, such as regular cleaning and using yellow tinted light bulbs, may help in the short term, a reliable solution often calls for spider pest control to be handled by professionals.
Common Reasons for Spider Invasions in a Home
Nobody wants spiders suddenly taking up residence in their home. The sight can be unsettling and scary if you don’t know the facts. To really deal with the issue, it helps to understand what’s attracting them indoors and how they’re getting inside in the first place. Spiders usually come inside for one of two reasons: they’re looking for food sources, or they’re seeking shelter. Homes with other pests, especially insects, can be more attractive to spiders. If you’ve got a problem with flies, ants, or other small bugs, spiders may not be far behind. Get rid of the smaller pests, and you’ll likely reduce spider activity too because they no longer have food.
Spiders also come inside to escape extreme weather, whether it’s dry heat or cooler temperatures. Gaps under doors, window cracks, and vents without screens can all serve as entry points. Areas like the basement, crawlspace, or attic provide the quiet, dark spots spiders love.
Clutter in the home is an ideal hiding place for spiders, especially in unused rooms or storage boxes. Spiders tend to settle in areas that are left undisturbed, so keeping spaces clean and clear can make your home less welcoming to them. Regularly disturbing these potential hiding spots through a consistent maintenance routine, such as frequent dusting and vacuuming, is key to discouraging them from settling and making your residence their home.
Types of Spiders Found in North and South Carolina Homes
Several spider species can be found inside homes across North and South Carolina. While most are harmless, a few can pose health concerns. Knowing which types are common in the region can help you understand what you’re dealing with and whether professional spider pest control is needed.
Brown Recluse Spider
Brown Recluse spiders are reclusive by nature and often found in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, attics, or the basements. They’re small, light to dark brown, and can be recognized by the violin-shaped marking on their back. Though bites are rare, they can cause severe reactions. If bitten, speak to a healthcare professional immediately.
Black Widow Spiders
Easily identified by their shiny black body and red hourglass markings on the underside of the abdomen. Black Widow Spiders tend to stay in crawlspaces, garages, or around outdoor debris. Their bite can be severe, so it’s important to avoid disturbing them, which may mean pausing your cleaning in those areas to reduce the risk of close contact and bites. If a black widow bites you or someone else, medical attention should be sought immediately.
Common House Spider
These small, tan, or gray spiders are found in corners of ceilings, basements, and behind furniture. They build messy webs and often feed on flying insects. Though they may look intimidating, they’re not a threat to people.
Wolf Spider
Larger and hairy wolf spiders don’t spin webs to catch prey. They hunt at night and are often found on floors or near baseboards. While their size can be alarming, they’re not dangerous and usually try to escape when approached.
Cellar Spider
Also sometimes referred to as “daddy longlegs” in North America, these thin-legged spiders prefer damp spaces like crawlspaces and basements. They hang upside down in their webs and feed on other insects, sometimes even other spiders. They’re harmless to people.
If you’re unsure what kind of spider you’ve seen, our technicians can help identify and offer the right solutions. Whether you’re dealing with common house spiders or more serious pests, our goal is to help you feel more comfortable in your home.
How to Prevent Spider Infestations?
Prevention is the first and often most effective step in long-term spider pest control. The fewer insects in your home, the less reason spiders have to stick around. Start by sealing entry points; check around doors, windows, and vents for cracks or holes. Use caulk or weatherstripping to close them off. Make sure door sweeps are in good condition, and screens fit tightly.
It also helps to reduce outside attractants too. Spiders often hang out near porch lights, where insects gather. Using yellow bulbs instead of bright white can lower the number of bugs around your entrance and help keep spiders away.
Regular cleaning makes a big difference too. Vacuum corners, under furniture, and behind appliances to remove webs and egg sacs. Store items in sealed plastic bins rather than cardboard boxes. In the basement or crawlspaces, make sure to declutter often; as mentioned earlier, these are comfortable and inviting habitats for spiders.
Natural spider deterrents like peppermint oil or vinegar sprays may sometimes help, but their effects tend to be short-lived. Professional help offers the most consistent results if you want a reliable, lasting solution.
Remember, DIY methods may temporarily reduce spider activity, but they don’t always get to the root of the problem. For real peace of mind and to help protect your home, it’s worth calling our professional pest control technicians. We can help identify and treat problem areas so spiders are less likely to come back.
How to Permanently Get Rid of Spiders?
Getting rid of spiders for good means going beyond just swatting them away when they appear. It calls for a well-rounded strategy that removes existing spiders and prevents new ones from coming in.
If you’ve tried natural spider deterrents but still find yourself wondering what keeps spiders away from your house, it may be time to bring in some professional help. Our team will check your property for hiding spots, entry points, and other signs that might be encouraging spiders in the first place. Our services don’t just treat the spider infestation; you’ll also get a full assessment of what’s drawing them in and how to change that.
Remember, if you’ve been searching for ways to get rid of spiders in your house once and for all, professional service is the most thorough option. Our trained technicians can help reduce the chance of future infestations and give you back control of your space.
Want to know how to keep spiders out of your house for good? Contact us today. We’re here to help you build an environment without spiders and regain confidence in your space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most spiders found in homes are not dangerous and don’t pose a threat to people or pets. However, some species, like the Brown Recluse Spider and Black Widow Spiders, can bite if disturbed and may cause serious reactions in some individuals. Bites are rare, and these spiders usually avoid contact. If you’re ever bitten or suspect a bite from one of these species, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional. If you’re unsure about the type of spider in your home, our technicians can help with identification and advise on the best next steps.
Some people use essential oils like peppermint or sprays made with vinegar as natural spider deterrents. These can create an unpleasant smell for spiders and may discourage them temporarily. However, these methods tend to wear off quickly and don’t address the root cause, like other pests that serve as food sources. If you’re relying only on natural remedies, the results are often short-lived. For long-term control, working with a technician can help reduce spiders and the pests they feed on.
An occasional spider isn’t unusual and may not mean you have an infestation. Most homes will see one from time to time, especially during seasonal changes. However, if you’re noticing multiple spiders or frequent sightings in different rooms, it could be a sign that they’re finding steady food sources or shelter in your home. In those cases, it may be time to schedule a professional inspection.
There are non-chemical ways to help reduce spider activity. Regular cleaning, decluttering and sealing up entry points are all important steps. However, these methods usually only reduce sightings temporarily. To address the issue fully, and to target other pests that may be drawing spiders inside, our pest control services offer a more dependable, longer-term solution.
Technicians start with a full inspection to find spider activity and entry points. They identify the species, remove webs and egg sacs, and use targeted treatments like dusts or sprays in key areas. Traps may be placed to monitor activity. Entry points are sealed to help block future infestations, and follow-up visits may be scheduled for long-term control.