Can we all agree that spiders are terrible? These eight-legged arachnids regularly invade homes here in Jacksonville, make annoying webs where people walk, and are sometimes extremely dangerous. If you hate spiders and want to keep them as far away from your home as possible, you are in the right place. Here is a convenient spider prevention guide for Jacksonville homeowners to help you combat these pests.
Characteristics Of Common Spiders
There are many common house spiders that live here in Jacksonville. Some species you may have heard of include the jumping spider, the crab spider, the spiny orb-weaver spider, the wolf spider, and the cellar spider. Two less common but incredibly dangerous species include the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider. Some characteristics that change from spider to spider include the size of their thorax or abdomen, the thickness and length of their legs, and their color and markings. A wolf spider is furry, has a large, flat thorax and abdomen, and has wide legs. The cellar spider, on the other hand, has a tiny body and long thin legs. One thing you should know is that size doesn't affect threat levels. Brown recluse spiders are tiny compared to black widows, yet their bites are equally harmful.
Why You Don't Want Spiders Hanging Around Your House
There are many reasons to dislike spiders. They build webs across door frames and between trees, sometimes at face level. They crawl under our feet when we least expect them. Sometimes they bite us and cause us pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. Speaking of spider bites, both the brown recluse and the black widow spider have medically dangerous bites. If you are bitten by a spider and have a reaction that involves moderate to severe pain, nausea, breathing difficulties, swelling, abdominal cramping, headache, numbness, or necrosis around the wound, seek medical attention immediately. If you are not sure if the spiders inside your home are dangerous or not, type their characteristics into your web browser to cross-reference them and hopefully identify your risk.
Six Simple Yet Effective Spider Prevention Tips
In order to keep different types of spiders out of your home, you need to address entry points and attractants. Here are six simple yet effective ways to do these two things.
- Thoroughly examine your home's exterior foundation for gaps, cracks, and other openings. Seal these potential entry points using a caulking gun or some liquid cement.
- Use a long broom to knock down webs in and around your home. Store this broom outdoors.
- Make sure your window and door screens are in good working condition.
- Turn off exterior lights at night to detract other pests that spiders invade to hunt.
- Install door sweeps under all doors leading out of your home.
- Hire a pest control professional to apply an extra level of protection around your home's exterior.
How Professional Pest Control Keeps The Spiders Away
If you are looking for a way to get rid of spiders and keep these pests out for good, we have an option for you at Mission Pest Solutions. Specifically, our general home pest control plan covers a range of area pest problems. It involves a detailed inspection, elimination services, long-term treatments, and monitoring to keep invasive creatures out year-round. Our team will make sure you and your home are well taken care of and that pests like spiders have no opportunity to cause trouble.
Contact us to find out more about pest control in Jacksonville, or schedule your home for a services visit.