Spiders might seem like a natural part of Halloween décor, but when they start taking up residence in your home, they can quickly turn from harmless to unsettling. As the cooler weather rolls in, spiders are looking for warmth, shelter, and food, and your home can become their perfect destination. But why do they choose your house, and how can you keep them out?

Let’s break it down.

Why Spiders Come Inside

As temperatures drop, outdoor conditions become less favorable for spiders, and they start searching for a warm, safe place to wait out the colder months. Your home offers the ideal environment: warmth, moisture, and plenty of insects to hunt.

Spiders are solitary creatures, so they’re not looking to live with you—they just want a quiet space to set up shop. Unfortunately, that "quiet corner" might be your attic, basement, or bathroom. And once they’re inside, it’s only a matter of time before they start spinning webs and scaring the life out of you.

Common Types of Spiders Found in Homes

Spiders that invade your home come in many shapes and sizes. While most are harmless, some can be a bit more concerning. Here are the most common types you might find:

1. House Spiders: These are the small, brown or gray spiders that build webs in corners of rooms, attics, and basements.

2. Wolf Spiders: Large and hairy, wolf spiders hunt for their food rather than building webs. They tend to move around more, especially when searching for warmth.

3. Brown Recluse Spiders: While rare, brown recluse spiders can be dangerous. They’re venomous, and their bites can cause severe reactions, so it’s important to identify and remove them quickly.

4. Cellar Spiders: Known for their long, spindly legs, these spiders often nest in dark, damp places like basements, garages, and storage rooms.

5. Jumping Spiders: These tiny spiders are harmless but can be startling due to their ability to jump. They’re particularly active when seeking out food.

Signs of a Spider Infestation

Seeing one or two spiders in your home might be normal, but if you start noticing more, it could indicate an infestation. Look for these signs:

• Webs in Corners: Spiders love to build their webs in hidden areas like corners, behind furniture, and in attics or basements.

• Spider Sightings: If you keep seeing spiders in different parts of your home, it’s likely they’ve set up camp indoors.

• Egg Sacs: Spiders lay eggs in silk sacs. If you find these sacs, it means the population is likely growing.

• Dead Insects: Since spiders eat other insects, finding dead bugs around your home is a sign that spiders are active.

Why Spiders Are More Active

As the days get shorter and the weather cools, spiders seek shelter indoors where it’s warmer and food is more abundant. Insects become more sluggish during the colder months, but spiders remain active as they hunt for their next meal. Additionally, many spiders breed during this time, which means you might see more of them as they become more mobile.

How Spiders Can Affect Your Home

While most spiders are harmless and even beneficial in controlling other pests, some species—like the brown recluse or black widow—can be dangerous. A bite from these spiders can lead to serious health complications.

Even the non-venomous spiders can create a mess. Their webs, while fascinating, can also be unsightly, especially when built in high-traffic areas of your home. If left unchecked, spider webs can accumulate in corners and give your home a creepy, neglected look.

How Valley Wide Pest Control Can Help

If you’re dealing with spiders inside your home, Valley Wide Pest Control can help. Our experts are equipped to deal with spider infestations quickly and effectively. Here’s how we can assist:

1. Inspection and Assessment: Our team will conduct a thorough inspection of your home to identify spider entry points and areas where spiders might be nesting, such as basements, attics, and hidden crevices.

2. Targeted Treatments: Once we’ve identified the type of spider and the severity of the infestation, we’ll apply effective treatments to target the problem. We use safe, eco-friendly options that protect both your family and the environment.

3. Exclusion Services: Preventing future spider invasions is key. Our team will seal cracks, gaps, and entry points where spiders can get in. We’ll also address any nesting areas inside your home to ensure spiders don’t return.

4. Long-Term Prevention: We offer ongoing monitoring and follow-up visits to ensure your home remains spider-free and comfortable throughout the year.

DIY Spider Control: What You Can Do

While professional pest control is often the best solution, here are a few steps you can take to reduce the spider population in your home:

1. Seal Cracks and Gaps: Check around windows, doors, and pipes for any cracks or openings and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping to prevent spiders from entering.

2. Regularly Remove Webs: Keep your home tidy by regularly sweeping away spider webs from corners, ceilings, and other quiet spots.

3. Keep Your Home Clean: Spiders are more likely to settle in homes that aren’t cleaned regularly. Vacuum and dust corners, under furniture, and in closets to reduce hiding places.

4. Limit Outdoor Lighting: Spiders are attracted to light because it draws insects. Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights to reduce the number of bugs—and spiders—near your home.

5. Use Essential Oils: Spiders dislike certain scents. A spray made of water and essential oils like peppermint or tea tree oil can help repel them from your home.

Conclusion

Spiders might be a natural part of the ecosystem, but they don’t need to take up residence in your home. If you’re noticing more spiders around the house, it’s time to take action. Contact Valley Wide Pest Control today for expert spider control solutions. We’ll help you keep your home spider-free, so you can enjoy peace of mind without the creepy-crawly surprises.