Types of Spiders

House Spider: Small to medium-sized spiders, often brown or gray. They create webs in the corners of rooms, basements, and attics. These spiders are harmless and primarily feed on other small insects.

Wolf Spider: Larger spiders (10-35 mm) with hairy bodies, typically brown with gray or black markings. They do not create webs but instead hunt their prey. They are often found at ground level, in basements, or under debris.

Hobo Spider: Medium-sized, with brownish bodies and long legs. They often create funnel-shaped webs in dark, undisturbed areas. While not aggressive, their bite can cause mild irritation.

Cellar Spider: Thin-bodied with long, delicate legs, often referred to as “daddy long-legs.” These spiders are harmless and are commonly found in damp, dark places like basements, cellars, and crawl spaces. They spin loose, irregular webs.

Black Widow: Known for their glossy black bodies and distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen, black widows are venomous spiders. They are generally found in dark, undisturbed areas like garages, sheds, and woodpiles. Their bite can cause severe reactions, although bites are rare.

Spider Behavior

Web Spinning: Many spiders create webs to trap prey. House spiders and cellar spiders often spin webs in quiet, low-traffic areas, while black widows spin strong, tangled webs near the ground in dark, undisturbed locations.

Hunting: Wolf spiders and hobo spiders are hunters that actively roam and capture prey instead of spinning webs.

Reproduction: Spiders lay eggs in sacs, often hidden in webs or dark corners. Once hatched, the baby spiders disperse to establish their territories.

Signs of Infestation

Spider Webs: Look for webs in corners, ceilings, basements, and garages. The shape and size of the webs can vary depending on the species, from the loose, irregular webs of cellar spiders to the dense, ground-level webs of black widows.

Sightings: Regular sightings of spiders, especially in clusters or of venomous species like black widows, indicate a potential infestation.

Egg Sacs: Spider egg sacs are often found hidden in webs or dark corners. These sacs can contain hundreds of spider eggs.

Dangers/Concerns

Bites: While most spiders are not dangerous, black widows are venomous, and their bites can cause severe pain, muscle cramps, and other symptoms. Immediate medical attention is recommended for black widow bites. Hobo spider bites can cause mild irritation, while most other species are harmless.

Infestation: A large number of spiders or webs may indicate an underlying insect infestation, as spiders are drawn to areas with abundant food sources (other insects).

Prevention Tips

Declutter: Spiders, especially cellar and black widows, thrive in dark, undisturbed places. Reducing clutter in basements, attics, garages, and outdoor areas can make your home less attractive to spiders.

Remove Webs: Regular cleaning and web removal discourage spiders from settling in your home.

Seal Entry Points: Inspect and seal gaps in windows, doors, and foundations to prevent spiders and other insects from entering your home.

Control Insects: Since spiders feed on other insects, reducing insect populations will naturally lower the spider population.

Treatment Options

DIY Methods: Use a vacuum to remove spiders, webs, and egg sacs. Sticky traps can also be placed in areas where spiders are commonly found, such as basements or garages.

Professional Services: AZ Pest Control offers specialized treatments for spiders, including web and egg removal, entry-point sealing, and the application of safe, eco-friendly insecticides in high-activity areas. Our team is experienced in dealing with venomous species like black widows and ensures thorough elimination and prevention.

Why Choose AZ Pest Control

At AZ Pest Control, we provide complete spider control services tailored to your needs. Whether dealing with common house spiders or venomous species like black widows, we thoroughly inspect your home, remove webs and egg sacs, and apply targeted treatments. Our experts also seal entry points and provide ongoing prevention to keep your home spider-free. Trust our experienced team for fast, effective solutions, ensuring the safety and comfort of your home.