Spider control companies

About spider control

Most spiders in American homes are harmless and eat other insects, but a few species can hurt people. This guide explains what a spider problem looks like, what you can do yourself, what professional spider control involves and what to ask before you hire a company.

Signs of a spider problem in your home

Spiders show up most in quiet, undisturbed places such as basements, garages, attics, closets and window corners. Signs of a growing problem include:

• New webs that return soon after you clear them.
• Small, round silk egg sacs in corners, under furniture or along eaves.
• Spiders in several rooms.
• Lots of other insects around lights, windows or the foundation, since spiders follow their food.

Two kinds of spiders matter most in the US. Black widows are shiny black, and the female has a red hourglass mark on her underside. They are most common in the southern and western states and like woodpiles, sheds and clutter. Brown recluse spiders are brown with a darker violin-shaped mark on the back, and they live mainly in the Midwest and South, hiding in closets, boxes and stored clothing.

How to have fewer spiders around the house

Fewer insects means fewer spiders. These steps help:

• Seal gaps around doors, windows, pipes and vents.
• Repair torn window and door screens.
• Cut clutter and store items in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes.
• Move woodpiles and debris away from the house.
• Vacuum webs, spiders and egg sacs, then empty the vacuum outside.
• Shake out shoes, gloves and stored clothes before you put them on, especially where brown recluses live.

Outdoor lights near doors draw the insects spiders eat. Turning lights off when you don't need them can help.

What professional spider control involves

The technician starts by identifying which spiders you have and where they are living. A good inspection also looks for the insects drawing them in and the gaps they use to get inside. Some companies place sticky monitoring traps, which are common for brown recluse.

Treatment often includes removing webs and egg sacs, treating cracks and crevices indoors, and treating the outside of the foundation, eaves and entry points. Every product must be used according to its label.

Brown recluse problems usually take ongoing work over several visits, because these spiders hide in places treatments don't easily reach.

Cost depends on the species, how many spiders you have, the size of the home, whether the work covers inside and outside, and whether you choose a one-time visit or a recurring plan.

Questions to ask a spider control company

1. Are you licensed in this state? You can check a license with your state's pesticide regulatory agency, often part of the department of agriculture.
2. Which spiders did you find, and are any of them dangerous?
3. Will you look for the insects the spiders are feeding on?
4. Do you treat indoors, outdoors or both, and what products do you use?
5. How many visits are included, and will you come back if spiders return?
6. What should I clear out or move before the visit?

If a suspected spider bite causes spreading pain, muscle cramps or a sore that gets worse, contact a doctor.

Compare the spider control companies listed above and read their reviews before you choose one.