Why Do I Have Spiders In My House?
July 16th, 2024 by pest expert Matthew S. Hess
During the warmer months, an increase in outdoor pests often leads to a higher likelihood of encountering them indoors. Concerningly, a higher presence of spiders indoors could indicate the presence of other pests that may have gone unnoticed. It’s important to address this issue proactively to maintain a pest-free environment.
The arachnid species are known for exhibiting either predatory behavior or for constructing intricate webs to ensnare their prey. Their diet predominantly consists of small insects, arthropods, and occasionally small reptiles. A residence teeming with pests serves as an alluring haven for spiders, leading to a potential infestation. Despite the unsettling thought, it is important to note that over 95% of spider species pose minimal threat to humans and actually play a crucial role in natural pest management. Nonetheless, it’s not uncommon for individuals to express a preference for dealing with other pests rather than encountering spiders!
Gaps, Cracks, and Crevices
One common reason households often find spiders indoors is the presence of gaps, cracks, and crevices along the outside perimeter, which allow spiders to enter. These openings come in various shapes and sizes.
- Bad door weatherstripping
- Door threshold gaps
- Worn or aged windows and window channels
- Poor seals on overhead garage doors
- Leaving doors open
- Open windows without screens
- Failed gaskets on chimney dampers
Individuals should be mindful of common deficiencies that can serve as entry points for spiders and other pests into their homes. Taking the time to inspect and repair bad seals or gaskets can significantly reduce the likelihood of unwanted intruders. Therefore, it is advisable for homeowners to make annual door and window seal inspections a part of their regular home maintenance routine in order to maintain a pest-free environment.
Food, Water, and Shelter
Spiders, just like other pests, need three main things to survive: food, shelter, and water. Because our homes can offer all three, they become not only a comfortable place for humans but also for pests. To keep spiders from finding your home as inviting as you do, it’s essential to eliminate pest access to these three things.
Water
Water is essential for life, and wherever there is water, insects are likely to be found. Because most spiders hunt for their food, they are often found in areas with water or moisture, where other pests also dwell. By decreasing humidity levels, addressing water leaks, fixing drainage issues, and eliminating sources of moisture inside and outside of your home, you can effectively reduce the presence of pests overall.
Food
Once you have successfully addressed moisture issues, you will have significantly minimized the spider’s food sources. However, additional efforts to reduce food sources for other pests can further enhance your pest control measures. Many pests thrive on decaying organic matter, in turn, they serve as a food source for spiders. Therefore, eliminating decaying organic matter is critical in controlling spider populations. For example, the accumulation of food waste, leaves, grass clippings, and similar organic matter provides an ideal environment for pests to thrive. It is essential to diligently work to eliminate such food sources in order to effectively manage spider infestations.
Shelter
Keeping a well-cleaned and organized home is crucial for minimizing the presence of spiders and other pests. Spiders, like many insects, tend to seek out areas with minimal human disturbance. Therefore, clearing clutter and unnecessary items from your living space is a great way to make it less attractive to these unwanted guests. Consider relocating items from cardboard boxes to sealed plastic containers to prevent spiders from finding shelter in them. Additionally, keeping corners free of debris and clutter, and ensuring that stored furniture is well covered to protect from dust and create a barrier against pests, can further contribute to a pest-resistant environment. Think like a spider… where would you find shelter? Now eliminate that!
Home and Property Maintenance
It is crucial to prioritize both indoor and outdoor maintenance as part of effective pest control. Consider taking a walk through the woods in July as an example. As you navigate through densely packed foliage, you may find yourself walking into spider webs more frequently. This occurrence can be attributed to the difference in maintenance between narrow and wide trails. Narrow trails, due to less foot traffic and lower levels of disturbance, provide conducive conditions for spiders to construct and maintain their webs. Whereas wide trails, being more frequently traveled and with greater spacing between trees, discourage the sustained presence of spider webs. This demonstrates the direct impact of maintenance on pest populations in various environments.
It’s important to note that the condition of your home’s exterior can likewise impact pest activity. Tall grass, untrimmed shrubs and bushes, poorly maintained landscaping, and lack of human activity outside your home can lead to increased pest presence. Consistently mowing your grass, maintaining and trimming trees, bushes, and shrubs, regularly renewing your landscaping, and keeping the exterior of your home clean and free of debris can help minimize spider activity that could make its way indoors.
Overgrown landscaping helps provide the three main thing pests need to live: Food, Shelter, and Water.
Regular maintenance to landscaping helps prevent pests and pest harborage.
Professional Pest Control
Professional pest control services are often crucial in effectively reducing pest populations. Even after implementing various spider-proofing measures, it is not uncommon to still encounter spiders in your home. This is due to the fact that spiders require only a small amount of food, water, and shelter to thrive. While you may address the major factors that attract the majority of pests, it is likely that underlying, hidden, and minor issues still persist. Therefore, seeking professional pest control can help address these issues comprehensively and ensure a pest-free environment.
It is crucial to recognize the importance of professional pest control services in effectively addressing and mitigating pest infestations. Our expert technicians are equipped with the necessary training, education, and practical experience to not only eliminate the root causes of pest activity, but also to implement targeted pest treatments that significantly reduce such activity.
By engaging the services of a reputable pest control provider like Four Seasons Pest Solutions, you are demonstrating a genuine commitment to safeguarding the well-being of both yourself and your cherished loved ones. This proactive approach underscores your dedication to maintaining a safe and healthy living environment, free from the detrimental impact of pest intrusion.
Four Seasons Pest Solutions