Spiders are one of the most common house pests, and though they don't wreak as much havoc as some insects - such as wasps, termites and ants - they're often a nuisance to homeowners. And as the weather cools in parts of North America, many homeowners might find more spiders crawling indoors for warmth. If you've spotted a few new spiderwebs inside recently, here's how to identify and prevent these common arachnids:
Signs of a spider infestation
Spiders often go unnoticed in the home because they typically don't travel in large numbers. However, there are a few signs you might notice. Webs are one of the easiest-to-spot indicators, though the spider that made them isn't always home. If you notice other insects trapped in the web, it's a good indicator that it belongs to Comb-Footed spiders or Orb-Weaving spiders. Wispy cobwebs are usually the work of a triangulate house spider, which are normally not dangerous to humans.
Spider bites are another indicator of an infestation. If you wake up with small red bumps on your skin, it could be the result of a spider bite. However, the University of Minnesota noted that very few species of North American spiders bite people. Spiders may bite if they are disturbed or handled carelessly.
Types of spiders
According to Common Spiders of North America, there are 68 unique families of spiders in North America, each with its own set of species. Most of these tend to live in wooded areas and rarely enter homes. There are, however, several fairly innocuous species that tend to live in houses.
Triangulate spiders
As noted above, cobwebs are usually the work of Comb-Footed spiders such, as the Triangulate spider (also called Triangulate Household Spider). This Family includes the Black Widow spider. According to the University of Nebraska, these spiders probably came to North America with the first European settlers. Aside from their webs, which may be occasionally annoying, triangulate spiders are normally harmless. The best way to control these pests is to keep population of insects down. Regular cleaning and vacuuming are usually enough to prevent large numbers of triangulating spiders in the home.
Ground Spiders
These kinds of spiders are usually black or dark brown in color. They are predator spiders that actively chase their prey rather than wait for it in a web. According to Portland State University, ground spiders usually appear from spring through fall and they tend to stick to dark areas of the home. Again, controlling their prey is the best way to keep ground spiders out of the home. Otherwise, sticky traps can be used, though you need to be wary about using those traps around children and pets.
Orb-Weaving Spiders
There are several types of Orb-Weaving spiders found in North America, including the Marbled orb-weaver, the Fierce orb-weaver and the Cross orb-weaver. Their size is between 1/10 (2.5 to 25 mm) to a full inch in length. Some are pale white while others are yellow and others are furry and brown. Orb-weavers are generally shy, though they may bite if handled. Pennsylvania state university reported that a bite from an orb-weaver isn't dangerous, but similar to that of a wasp sting.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
