The Trick To Keep Spiders Out Of Your West Phoenix Home

Arachnophobia is real. For people all over the world, the sight of a spider often causes fear and disgust.

There’s just something creepy about these eight-legged bugs. While most spiders are harmless, there

are a few spiders in Phoenix that pose a threat to humans. Spiders aren’t intentionally aggressive

and won’t deliberately hurt humans, but if you find yourself eye to eight-eyes with an arachnid, here’s

how to identify them.

Types Of Spiders In Phoenix

Southern House Spider

The southern house spider is fairly harmless and will bite only as a last resort, preferring to flee

if confronted by humans. Southern house spiders average body length of about half an inch (2

inches if you include their legs) and bear a strong resemblance to the dangerous brown recluse

spider. Southern house spiders can be distinguished by their narrow “violin” pattern and eight

eyes (versus six in brown recluse spiders).

Wolf Spider

It’s easy to see why they’re called wolf spiders. Hairy and grayish in coloration, they are expert

hunters who prefer to attack prey head-on rather than spinning webs. Wolf spiders can be

aggressive if confronted but are not deadly (most people compare their bite to a bee sting). Their

body can grow from anywhere between ½ inch to 2 inches in diameter, and their size combined

with their exceptional speed can make them highly intimidating pests.

Black Widow Spider

There is probably no spider more infamous than the black widow. A bite from a black widow

isn’t a death sentence, as it’s sometimes made out to be in movies, but their venomous bite can

cause extreme pain, nausea, and muscle cramps. Black widows can be easily identified by their

black bodies with telltale red hourglass markings. They prefer to build webs in low-traffic,

inactive areas and will usually stay away from humans, but will become especially aggressive if

protecting newly laid eggs.

Brown Recluse Spider

As their name suggests, the brown recluse spider likes to be left alone. Commonly found in out

of reach areas in attics, basements, and sheds, these spiders can be identified by their light brown

coloration, long, hairy legs, and “violin” pattern on their backs. The venom from brown recluse

spiders cause tissue death at the site of injection which can spread into a festering necrotic

wound if left untreated.

How To Keep Spiders Out

Spiders are pests that prey on other pests. Unlike other household bugs interested in human food,

spiders go after prey like flies, cockroaches, and moths. So, to control the spider population in

your home, you need to try and control the pest population, too.



- Keep small pests at bay by regularly cleaning surfaces in the kitchen or where food is

eaten.

- Make sure that food is properly stored in pest-proof containers.

- Some spiders are attracted to moisture, so be sure to keep areas like bathrooms and

basements as dry as possible.

- Check your gutters and drains for any blockage that might cause dampness on floors and

walls.

- In addition to controlling spiders’ food supply, you can also address spider infestation directly.

- First and foremost, sweep or vacuum away any webs that you may see.

- Clear away cluttered areas in basements and attics where spiders like to hide. Many

spiders don’t like to be out in the open, so removing clutter eliminates the likelihood of

spiders nesting in that location.

Seal cracks in walls, doorways, and window screens. Spiders can easily squeeze through

small entry points around your home. Take an inventory of possible entry points and

make sure they are sealed shut.

Repair your foundation. Many species of spiders prefer a dank, moist environment and

infestations often begin in the basement. Repairing breaches in your foundation can help

prevent spiders from entering your home.

If you’re having trouble with spiders in your Phoenix home, talk to the experts at Triton

Pest Control for effective pest control solutions. Triton will provide a free quote for

your pest problem and will never charge you any hidden costs.