ABOUT SPIDERS
Although spiders are among the most common of house pests, they create a high level of anxiety in many people. As nighttime predators, they hunt for food when the household is sleeping, and this tends to be when most people are bitten. People who are allergic to spider bites are especially prone to itching and possible infection, and even relatively harmless spiders can cause this reaction.
It is important to note that if a home is overrun by spiders, another pest problem exists in addition to the spiders. This other pest is serving as the spiders’ food source and allowing the spider population in the home to flourish.
Spiders have their place in the food chain, and serve to keep many other insect populations under control. Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents may spot these common spiders: the broad faced sac spider, the grass spider, the wolf spider, and the common household spider.
APPEARANCE
Unlike insects which have six legs, spiders have eight, and their bodies are broken up into two segments. The two segments are called the cephalothorax and the abdomen. These two segments are attached by a pedical, which is small and cylindrical in shape. The cephalothorax houses the spider’s stomach, poison glands, and brain. Also attached to it are the spider’s legs, and up to eight eyes. The abdomen contains 1-4 pairs of spinnerets. Near the spider’s mouth are appendages called pedipalps. These can be leg-like or bulbous. Spider species come in a wide range of colors including yellow, bright red, green, gray, black, and brown.
DIET
Spiders eat bees, flies, crickets, butterflies, grasshoppers, moths, mosquitoes, and sometimes even other spiders.
HABITATS
Spiders are a diverse species and live almost everywhere on earth, except for the ocean, the highest mountain tops, and in Polar Regions. They can live either outside or inside, and will build their nest, or web, where they are more likely to capture their prey. This includes in gardens, trees, etc. To catch arthropods that walk, some spiders build their nest in the ground, in logs, crevices, and under rocks.
PROBLEMS WITH SPIDERS
Much of the population has a fear of spiders, and even though they cause no structural damage, their presence creates anxiety in most people. Some species are prolific web creators and the sight of their webs can be disagreeable to most, as well as bothersome.
BEHAVIOR
Unless a spider feels threatened, they generally do not bite people. A spider might mistake a part of a person’s body as an insect and a bite may occur. It is also very common to come into contact with a spider if one is in the bed, in a coat, clothes, or in shoes. It is in these situations when bites more easily take place. While a spider bite can cause extreme discomfort, the most at-risk age group for potentially fatal bites are infants, toddlers, and the elderly.
HEALTH ISSUES
With the exception of some varieties of spiders that can transmit infectious disease, the only real problem with spiders is their venom.
Of the dozens of species of spiders found in the PA and NJ area, most are relatively harmless. A bite from these common spiders will cause itching and pain. However, a bite from two other species has the potential to cause death. These are the brown recluse spider and the black widow spider.
Symptoms of a spider bite include:
• Muscle cramping and pain
• Itchy skin or a rash
• Pain starting at the injection site, and radiating outward
• A blister that is a shade of red or purple
• Headache
• Hard time breathing
• Fever and chills
• Increase in blood pressure
• Restlessness and anxiety
SIGNS OF A SPIDER INFESTATION
Spiders tend to like dark and secluded areas, including walls, sheds, basements, and damp locations. The best sign of a spider infestation is by seeing them and their webs. Some spider webs are shaped like orbs, and some are shaped like funnels. Seeing webs, as well as spiders, around the home, is a strong indicator of a spider infestation.
PREVENTION TIPS
SafeGuard Pest Control recommends the following spider prevention methods:
• Keep bushes and trees trimmed so they don’t come in contact with the home
• Vacuum both floors and ceilings, in all rooms including the basement, on a regular basis
• Repair foundation cracks
• Repair damaged screens and any gaps around doors and windows
• Safely remove existing spider webs
• Keep storage containers sealed tightly
• Keep home and office free from clutter
• Call a pest control provider if spiders continue to be a issue, as their presence indicates an additional insect problem
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 Yardley home or office.
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