Spiders

What do house spiders look like?

The yellow-brown house spider has a dirty white abdomen, and their abdomen and legs are marked with dark chevron-like markings.  Like other arachnids, house spiders have eight legs and single-lens eyes.  Adults range in size from 1/8th to 5/16th of an inch; females are slightly larger than the males.

Can a common house spider hurt you?

House spiders are not harmful to have in or around your home. They are generally not aggressive and their venom is usually not strong enough to cause any issues in humans. However, they do build and abandon webs throughout your home in their search for prey, which can lead to extra cleaning required on your part.

What month are house spiders most active? 

Many people believe that spiders are more active during the fall months. However, this is not entirely true. During fall, spiders tend to be bigger in size, actively searching for food and a mate, and seeking shelter from the cool weather. This is why most homeowners notice them during this season. Nonetheless, spiders remain active throughout the year in Maine, including winter. They can be content as long as they find a warm home or building to inhabit.

What attracts house spiders?

House spiders are attracted to homes and properties that allow them easy access to food and shelter sources.  House spiders are often found hiding and building webs in the corners of doors, windows, porches, and under eaves. These are all spots where light is usually available to attract their prey - bugs.

Why am I seeing so many spiders in my house all of a sudden?

If you have recently noticed an increase in spider activity in your home, it may be due to the fact that these arachnids are searching for mates. House spiders generally become mature during the spring or summer months, and in the fall, male house spiders leave their webs in search of females.

Additionally, spiders may be moving indoors if the weather is starting to feel cooler. Winter may be approaching, and these pesky spiders need to find a suitable place to overwinter.

Where do house spiders lay eggs in houses?

House spiders typically lay eggs in their webs, and if they don't, they usually pick protected locations for their egg sacs. To locate spider egg sacs, you should check the corners of your home, closets, under furniture, and cluttered areas where spiders can easily hide.

Should I worry about house spiders? 

Although house spiders in Maine pose no threat to people or property, there's a reason they're in your home. It could be that they crawled under a garage door by accident or were lured in by other insects in your house. In fact, if you're finding house spiders, there's a very good chance other bugs are present since they are a primary source of food for these spiders.  

How do I get rid of house spiders?

In order to exterminate spiders in your home, Pine State Pest Solutions will inspect your property and develop a plan that targets spiders and their food sources.  If you choose a year round home pest control program, we’ll visit your home on an ongoing basis to inspect and treat as necessary.

House spider prevention tips

To prevent house spiders, you must take away their food source (i.e. bugs) and eliminate their entry points.  To accomplish this, Pine State Pest Solutions recommends the following pest prevention tips:

• Seal cracks in the foundation and other openings on the exterior of the structure.

• Install door sweeps.

• Repair or replace screens covering doors and windows.

• Inspect door and window screens to make sure that they are intact.

• Trim trees and bushes so that they do not touch the roof or sides of the house.