Spiders
Spiders. To many, they’re creepy, crawly, and altogether petrifying to have in the home. That’s where Aspen Pest Control comes in! We use effective, comprehensive techniques to keep your home and life spider-free!
Spider Description
Size
Though there are more than 500 species of spiders in the Pacific Northwest, the average spider you’re likely to see in or around your home will be approximately 4 to 10mm long, depending on its type, sex, and age.
Color
There are seemingly countless distinctions found in spider markings, and most spiders you see will be some variation of brown, gray, or black in color. Some spiders, like the infamous Black Widow spider, have ornate or distinct markings.
MORE ABOUT SPIDERS
Despite their bad reputations, spiders aren’t all that interested in humans. They’re focused on spinning webs, eating insects, and reproducing. And while the vast majority of spiders you’ll come in contact with in the Pacific Northwest aren’t harmful or fatally venomous, their population can grow quickly and overtake your home, property, and outbuildings if left untreated.
Because a substantial segment of our population has some fear of spiders (approximately one-quarter and one-third of US men and women, respectively), proper treatment and ongoing maintenance of your spider population is a crucial step in making your home comfortable for all who spend time there.
What are spiders?
First things first: spiders are not insects. They’re arachnids. Though each shares some details (such as exoskeletons, multiple pairs of eyes, etc.), insects have three distinct sections to their bodies (head, thorax, and abdomen). In contrast, arachnids have two (head and abdomen). Additionally, insects have three pairs of legs, and arachnids have four pairs.
How did I get spiders?
The reason you’re facing a spider infestation is that your home has the right conditions for spiders to thrive: a healthy insect population that spiders can consume for food, web-friendly spaces where they can spin and build their webs, standing water, cracks, and crevices for hiding (spiders love the privacy and safety household clutter can provide), and if you’re finding them inside the home, then it’s because you’ve unintentionally given them access via entry points such as compromised window or door seals, or other small but significant breaches.
What do spiders eat?
Spiders are cold-blooded carnivores. This means they feed off other creatures and do not ingest plant life for nutrition. Unlike warm-blooded animals, their body temperature changes as the weather does, affecting how and how often they hunt for food.
The spiders in the Pacific Northwest primarily consume flies, mosquitoes, moths, centipedes, and other insects. If food is scarce and multiple spiders are competing for food, certain spiders are known to cannibalize their rivals. Some spiders are even known to eat birds, frogs, bats, and fish — but these aren’t the spiders you’ll find around your home.
Spiders are resilient and do not need three square meals daily like humans. Ironically, spiders are also known to be picky eaters, preferring freshly caught insects and other prey vs. food that has sat beyond what they consider “fresh.”
Where are the spiders coming from?
There are various reasons that spiders are getting into your home, most of which are preventable, given the right level of knowledge and consistency of care.
So, where are your spiders coming from? Here are a few ideas:
• Poorly sealed windows and doors
• Cracks in wood, foundation, or other home exterior materials
• Houseplants, Christmas trees, moving boxes and packages
• Small openings where utilities enter the home
Once you’ve effectively managed your spider infestation and identified and fixed any of the above maladies your home may be experiencing, we recommend regularly reviewing these areas to keep your home pest-free best!
Still not sure if you’re looking at a spider?
Spider Tips
Are SPIDERS Harmful?
Most spiders in the Pacific Northwest are not dangerous—but some are.
Are spiders venemous?
In general, no. Though all — yes, all! Spiders are venomous; very few spiders found in the Pacific Northwest are harmful to humans and common household pets. The two species of spiders that fall into the category of dangerous and medically important are the Black Widow and Yellow Sac spiders. The good news for us is that they rarely are seen in this northwest region, preferring the arid, high-desert climates of Eastern Washington and Oregon.
How else are spiders harmful?
Now, spiders are not physically harmful, but for some, their presence can be emotionally harmful, with reportedly millions of Americans experiencing some form of arachnophobia (fear of spiders). What’s more, a home overrun with pests is simply uncomfortable. Why put your loved ones at risk when trusted pest extermination support is just a phone call away?
Are SPIDERS SEASONAL?
Spiders are active throughout the year.
In some circles, there is an ongoing myth that late summer is “spider season” in the Pacific Northwest. However, according to The Burke Museum, this is actually a myth, and, ironically, late summer is the one time of year when you might observe the fewest spiders. Spiders in the Pacific Northwest are consistent throughout the year, meaning an infestation could occur in winter, spring, summer, or fall, only reinforcing Aspen Pest Control’s commitment to inspection, treatment, and ongoing prevention of spider infestations.
can i treat SPIDERS on my own?
Professional spider pest control is much more effective.
DIY treatment isn’t impossible, but it isn’t easy without professional support. Often, treating a spider problem means treating your home for a variety of other insect problems (each of which needs to be treated in its own way, depending on the pest), as well as web removal and the application of suitable types of spider extermination products. Sounds like a lot to manage, right? Because it is! We’re committed to making pest control easy by using our expertise to keep your home pest-free.
Spider extermination with guaranteed results
Why should I call professional pest control for spiders?
There are so many factors to manage when it comes to a spider infestation that we at Aspen Pest Control can make the experience not only that much easier but so much more effective!
Unlike insects, spiders don’t clean themselves by putting their legs in their mouth. This makes spider control very challenging for homeowners because, unlike insects, spiders do not ingest pesticides. Aspen uses a proven method that has been used successfully in the Northwest thousands of times to control spiders and remove their webs.
Early intervention is crucial for spiders extermination
Like many other pests, some spiders can reproduce quickly and often, resulting in hundreds of spiders that will eventually be able to multiply rapidly and repeatedly. This is why it’s crucial to call for professional assistance when you observe a spider infestation. The sooner you take this vital step, the sooner you can break this cycle and move on to things more deserving of your time and attention.
Spider Treatment
1
INSPECT
Regularly inspecting your potential pest problem areas means less long-term hassle for you and your loved ones. These inspections will help you understand where pests are coming from and will also help you understand (and take care of!) the things on your property or around your home that are attracting pests in the first place.
2
Apply products
Part of our secret in controlling spiders is where we treat them and the frequency of our treatments. We focus on critical areas most companies overlook, e.g., spraying under siding, treating under eaves, cracks & crevices, etc.
Additionally, it’s important to know that spiders expend a lot of energy building webs. Therefore, part of a successful spider extermination program is full web removal. We treat and remove all accessible webs in the first and second-story eaves.
3
ONGOING OBSERVATION
A quarterly home protection plan is sometimes recommended for effective long-term spider control because it produces the best chance of breaking the spider’s egg cycle.
Secure your home from spiders
100% satisfation guarantee
You don’t have to live with the stress of spiders! Learn why your friends and neighbors choose Aspen Pest Control to successfully manage a spider problem. Our team of experts is experienced, effective, and committed to your satisfaction with our services.
Call Aspen Pest Control today and get rid of your spider problem!
Talk with an expert pest control technician
Vancouver Office:
12104 NE 95th St.
Vancouver, WA 98682
Portland Office:
8305 SE Monterey Ave
Suite 220 Q
Happy Valley, OR 97086
Mailing Address:
19215 SE 34th St
Suite #106-155
Camas, WA 98607
Get A Quote
What's Bugging You?
