A Helpful Spider Prevention Guide For Charlotte Homeowners

• Black widow spider: This is perhaps the most iconic and most dangerous species of spider. The black widow has been depicted in popular culture over and over again and with good reason. The female is a glossy black color and has a red hourglass stamp on her abdomen. She typically weaves her web in dark and damp places and waits there until her prey scampers by. It’s at this moment that she injects her venom to paralyze her meal. While the black widow isn’t known for seeking human attention, if people come into contact with them and the spider feels threatened, it may bite, which can induce very serious allergic reactions.
• Cellar spider: The cellar spider, otherwise known as the daddy long-legs, was named for its ideal locale. They prefer secluded areas that are full of moisture and humidity and eat much larger spiders and insects. The cellar spider might be easy to miss with its light brown coloring; however, their very long legs are a giveaway.
• Wolf spider: The robust wolf spider might look scary but they’re considered a nuisance and nothing more. They are quite large, covered in varying shades of brown fuzz, and have multiple sets of eyes, which makes them one of the best hunting spiders. The wolf spider is primarily found in outdoor spaces.
• Brown recluse spider: The brown recluse spider is another of the most hazardous spiders because of their venomous bites. They typically live outside amidst piles of brush, rocks, and beneath porches; however, sometimes they enter homes if that’s where the food is. They are usually a light to dark brown color and have six eyes, which makes them one of the more adept hunters. Similar to the black widow, the brown recluse will bite people if it feels threatened.
• Orb-weaver spider: This species is hard to miss primarily because of its flamboyant yellow coloring and the extensive, orb-shaped webs that it spins. The orb-weaver spider does contain some venom but its bites are not harmful to people.

Professional pest control in Charlotte can protect homes from dangerous spiders and simple nuisances. For more information on spider control, contact Go-Forth Home Services today.

Some Spiders Are More Dangerous Than Others

While there are a handful of spiders that live in the Charlotte area, there are some that are far more dangerous than others. The black widow, yellow sac, false widow, and brown recluse are all examples of spiders that are considered venomous. The black widow is considered the most harmful spider in North America and is easy to spot because of its long legs, shellacked black exterior, and red hourglass stamp. They are usually very antisocial and live inside of brush and rock piles outdoors but will enter homes if that’s where insects are living. Though their bites are very rarely fatal, they can cause a lot of issues for the elderly or immunocompromised.

The brown recluse lives a similar life to the black widow; however, they are skilled hunters and are usually on the move. This characteristic means that people can come into contact with them more easily, which can lead to bites on the hands and feet.

The false widow does not have the red hourglass marking that the black widow has but is a shiny black color. They usually live around trees or the cracks in fence lines. The yellow sac spider is unmistakable because of its glowing yellow coloring. They primarily live outdoors but will move inside when temperatures begin to cool.

Being bitten by one of these spiders can induce a series of very dangerous and scary reactions that may include nausea, fever, chills, increased blood pressure, persistent sweating, hand tremors, muscle spasms near the bite location, malaise, lethargy, ulcers, tissue decay, seizures, and muscle swelling and pain.

For more information on venomous spider control in Charlotte, contact Go-Forth Home Services today.

Five Naturally Effective Spider Prevention Tips For Around Your Home

If you’ve ever looked around your home and wondered why you’re seeing spiders, you’re not alone. Spiders are very easy pests to attract and you may end up with an infestation unbeknownst to you. In order to make your home unappealing to spiders, you’ll want to try these five naturally effective methods:

1. Look for leaks. One of the most common ways that spiders end up on your property is because of issues with moisture or simple leaks. The same is true for the pests that they eat, like cockroaches and flies. In order to reduce their attraction, be proactive about moisture by checking both the inside and outside of your home for leaks on a regular basis. Additionally, don’t ignore water damage, redirect condensation that may have accumulated outside, use dehumidifiers in closets, and make sure that you always shut off sink faucets and shower heads after using them.
2. Seal up openings. Spiders are very crafty and can fit through almost any opening that they find. To start, take a close look at your foundation and fill any cracks with silicone-based caulk. Next, assess the state of your window and door screens. Are they in good condition? If not, either replace or repair them. You’ll also want to confirm that doors and windows are properly fitted and if they’re not, apply weather-stripping to ensure a more snug fit.
3. Keep things clean. The inside of your home is a very important factor in deterring spiders and the pest that they eat. Things like excessive clutter, food residue, and lackadaisical food storage can create problems that you can easily avoid. You should eliminate piles of papers and boxes that could be used for hiding, take out the trash frequently, never allow dirty dishes to pile up, and be thorough when cleaning surfaces.
4. Address your yard. Spiders often prefer to live outside; however, sometimes they end up inside if that’s where the moisture and pests are. That said, it’s imperative that you make your yard as uninhabitable as possible by trimming back hedges and trees, disposing of leaf piles and other brush, dispersing rock piles, and always storing firewood at least 20 feet from your home.
5. Bring in professional help. Working with a trusted pest expert is one of the most foolproof ways to always keep spiders out of your home. Professional-grade treatments will create a barrier between spiders and your home and work to enhance the good habits that you’re already employing.

For more information on how pest control can protect your Charlotte home from spiders, contact Go-Forth Home Services today.