ABOUT SPIDERS

While Levittown residents may welcome a few spiders in outdoor spaces for the pest control services they provide, no one likes to discover spiders inside their home or office. These pests may not cause property damage, but they do cause a mess. Moreover, many people find that their peace of mind is disturbed when spiders are in close proximity.

Arachnid species commonly encountered throughout the Levittown area include the broad-faced sac spider, the common house spider, the grass spider and the wolf spider. Any of these may be found inside human habitations, including outbuildings that see infrequent use by people. If a large spider population is present, then this may indicate an overall pest management problem. Professional pest control may be sought to determine the depth of the problem and to find an effective solution.

APPEARANCE

Eight-legged arachnids come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Knowing the characteristics of individual spider species makes it possible to identify the pest and enact more reliable control methods.

The broad-faced sac spider features a brown carapace and a noticeable dorsal stripe. While their front legs are thick, the broad-faced sac spider has thinner legs in the rear. Females of the species are between seven and 10 millimeters long with males only reaching to between five and six millimeters.

With their chevron markings, it is fairly easy to distinguish the common house spider from other species. Additionally, their legs are striped in shades of gray and brown. The female is approximately eight millimeters long. However, the adult male will only measure half this size.

Distinctive longitudinal stripes on a brown carapace make the grass spider easier to see. Additionally, close inspection will reveal that this species is equipped with especially long rear spinnerets. Members of this species also are larger, with females being nearly 20 millimeters long. The males are almost identical in size.

Wolf spiders are the largest of the common arachnids found in Levittown. A full-grown female may measure as much as 35 millimeters. Also making it distinctive is the wolf spider's hairy body. These hairs may be brown, gray or black.

DIET

Many gardeners appreciate the diet kept by spiders, as they typically consume mosquitoes, flies, aphids, caterpillars, ants and other pests that may otherwise be nuisances to people or cause damage to flower and produce gardens.

HABITATS

The spider's choice of habitat depends entirely on how it prefers to hunt for food. Web-spinning spiders that prefer flying insects will look for an elevated place to spin a web. Because they know that insects are attracted to light sources, these webs frequently are placed close to indoor and outdoor light fixtures as well as across windows. Other likely places to find spider habitats are strung across trees and shrubs or beneath the eaves of buildings.

Ground-dwelling spiders such as the grass spider focus their efforts on walking insects. Accordingly, their preferred habitat is on soil or grass across which they stretch their web.

Still other spiders, like wolf spiders, are not web spinners. They live in underground burrows that protect them from the elements and from predators.

PROBLEMS WITH SPIDERS

Unlike some spider species in more exotic locales, the arachnids in Levittown rarely cause much in the way of problems. They do not pose a health threat, nor do they destroy property. Nonetheless, spiders can be an irritating and time-consuming issue.

This is because the web-spinners of the species may create several test webs to see which location is optimal for capturing prey. These webs often are abandoned, leaving an unsightly mess that people must remove.

Additionally, many people dislike sharing their personal space with spiders. They may have difficulty relaxing, sleeping or concentrating while they are worried about a spider infestation. For many, this is reason enough to seek the services of an exterminator.

Another reason to contact an experienced pest control provider is that the presence of a large number of spiders may indicate that there is an underlying pest issue. Because this species may be destructive or a health threat, prompt attention from a pest management service is essential.

BEHAVIOR

Industrious spiders may be active both in the daylight and during nighttime hours. Once their web is constructed, web spinners may relax in their lair until they are alerted to the presence of prey. Accordingly, they may be seen to be active at almost any time of day. Dusk tends to be particularly busy as this is when many insects appear and are attracted toward artificial light sources.

Wolf spiders prefer to hunt in dark, cluttered spaces that make it easier for them to pounce on prey. In a location that is sufficiently dark, they may hunt equally well at day and at night.

Spiders typically prefer to avoid contact with people. But while most may run or jump to avoid a confrontation, sac spiders can be overly aggressive.

HEALTH ISSUES

The spiders that are commonly found in Levittown are not known for transmitting any kind of illness. Moreover, their bites are rarely any cause for concern. The wolf spider is capable of delivering the most painful bite, but even this typically elicits a temporary and relatively mild reaction.

SIGNS OF A SPIDER INFESTATION

Indications of a spider problem include:

• An unusual number of spiders in buildings or on the land
• Having difficulty keeping up with the number of webs that must be removed both inside and outside buildings
• Reports of spider bites on the property

PREVENTION TIPS

SafeGuard Pest Control recommends the following spider prevention methods:

• Frequently mow lawns
• Trim back trees, shrubs and plants so that they do not touch building exteriors
• Use screens on all doors and windows
• Wash the exterior of buildings once or twice per year
• Regularly remove spider webs from indoor and outdoor spaces

SPIDER CONTROL

DIY pest control methods rarely are recommended. Many such measures are ineffective. At their worst, they pose a hazard to health and safety when they are incorrectly utilized.

To keep a home’s spider population under control, a pest control company should be called.

Safeguard Pest Control uses a variety of treatments and specialized products to eliminate spiders in your Levittown home or office.

SPIDER CONTROL