What Are Spiders?
Spiders are some of the most common pests living in Florida that regularly find their way into our homes and businesses. Unlike most insect pests that we deal with regularly, spiders are arachnids and closely related to mites and scorpions.
Adult spiders have eight legs, many eyes (six to eight), no wings, and only two body segments. These arachnids have venom they use to paralyze prey using their fang-like teeth. Also, spiders produce silk that many, but not all, use to build their webs.
Spiders feed on insects that are pests around our properties, and in small numbers, spiders are quite helpful, reducing populations of unwanted insects. However, when populations of spiders become too large, or they begin to move into your home, the spiders and the insects they feed on must be removed from the property.
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Are Spiders Dangerous?
Spiders are naturally shy and reclusive; they will not go out of their way to bite us. Most spider bites are accidental, and they are simply defending themselves.
While most spiders pose no harm to people, we do have dangerous spiders like the black widow here in Florida. Black widows are a threat because if a bite were to occur, their venom is strong enough to trigger symptoms in people that require medical attention.
Why Do I Have a Spider Problem?
Flies, crickets, cockroaches, moths, and earwigs are examples of insects that spiders regularly feed on. Any yard or home that has food readily available for spiders is where you will find these unwanted intruders. Unfortunately, living in Florida means living near many different insects and, in turn, the many different types of spiders that like to feed on those insects.
Listed below are some of the most common spiders that become a problem for people living in the northeastern portion of Florida.
- Banana spiders
- Black widow spiders
- Brown widow spiders
- Cellar Spiders
- Crab spiders
- Orb weaver spiders
- Sac spiders
- Wolf spiders
Where Will I Find Spiders?
Spiders love to live in areas of dense vegetation or areas with a lot of clutter. Often our yards have a lot of tall grass and overgrown gardens, which provide perfect hiding spots for spiders. Spiders use spaces under decks, rocks, and fallen trees as places to build webs or burrows and to hunt their prey.
Extreme weather usually doesn't drive spiders indoors, but it does drive their insect prey inside - leaving spiders with no choice but to follow!
Much to the dismay of homeowners, places they regularly discover spiders include the corners of closets, in boxes, among clothing and shoes, under bedding, in potted plants, under furniture, and underneath sinks.
How Do I Get Rid of Spiders?
Remove spiders from your Jacksonville-area property with the help of the local pest control professionals at Trad's Pest Control. We provide our customers with effective and hassle-free support through our free inspections and premier pest control services in Jacksonville. We understand that pests are unpredictable and are available whenever you need us! Learn more about our comprehensive pest control services by speaking with one of our professionals. Call today to request a free estimate for your Jacksonville home, and let our family begin helping you protect your family and home from unwanted pests.
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How Can I Prevent Spiders In The Future?
To help prevent spiders from taking over your property, we want to provide you with the following spider prevention strategies:
- Remove excess vegetation and keep your grass cut short to reduce hiding spots for spiders.
- Keep spiders from being able to easily find their way into your home by sealing cracks in exterior walls, making sure screens are intact, and replacing damaged weatherstripping and door sweeps.
- Eliminate areas of standing water by filling in low-lying areas in your yard, repairing clogged gutters, and making sure your property has good drainage.
- Turn off exterior lights whenever possible. Lights attract insects to the exterior of your home, along with the spiders that want to feed on them.
- Spiders love to feed on flies, and flies love to gather around open trash cans. Make sure always to keep lids on trash cans to keep flies and hungry spiders away from them.