They’re everywhere…literally. You know them. Creepy lightning-fast eight-legged horrors known for their ability to run, jump, and scare humans. The “scare” part is particularly true when we find them inside our homes. It doesn’t matter if they’re venomous or not, dangerous or benign, most people don’t want spiders in their house.

Spiders live in every house. They have extremely limited sight…in fact, they can only distinguish between light and dark. Most live a year or two but some (like tarantulas) about 20 years. Not every species spin webs. Their eggs come in many shapes and sizes. Most are hidden in white or yellowish round “sacs” that are about the size of the end of your little finger. Each sac holds between 20 and 150 eggs.

Most spiders prefer secure hiding places to living in the open. Spiders love to hide in boxes, furniture, rolled carpets, and shoes you don’t wear frequently. They often migrate to cluttered areas like closets, attics, garages, and basements.

When dealing with spiders, eliminating food sources is your first line of defense. Get rid of their food supply and the spiders will leave rather than starve. This means arranging and cleaning cluttered areas.

Exterior lights attract many bugs that spiders feed on. Consider turning off outside lights if at all possible. If you must have outside light, use amber-colored bulbs. These bulbs don’t attract bugs like white lights do.

Most spiders are not dangerous and many are considered beneficial. Only a few in Oklahoma are considered dangerous. The most common dangerous spider in Oklahoma is the brown recluse (also called the “fiddleback” because of its unique markings.) The “recluse” part of its name came from this spider’s preference for dark, out-of-the-way locations. They often set up shop in places like we mentioned earlier.

If you find yourself walking into webs around your house, or in a showdown with one of these creepy crawlers, take action! Call a professional for an assessment. You never know if the spider you’re dealing with is venomous. If so, you could definitely put your family’s at risk.

Effective pest control relies on lot of factors. With 40 years of experience, we know pest habits and feeding patterns, and how to deal with them while protecting both you and your environment.