Spider Identification & Prevention

Spiders are predatory arachnids, meaning they hunt and feed on other spiders and insects. Most of the spiders that find their way to our properties are harmless. But it is important to note that there are dangerous spiders that homeowners need to pay particular attention to and keep away from their yards and families. Unfortunately for Phoenix homeowners, our region is home to the two dangerous spiders that call the United States home – black widow and brown recluse spiders.

Black Widow Spiders

Black widow spiders get their common name from the popular belief that females eat males after mating, a phenomenon that rarely happens in nature. The female is glossy black with a red hourglass on the underside. Males are much smaller and are gray in color with stripes or spots.

Brown Recluse Spiders

Brown recluse spiders are brown with a darker violin-like marking behind their heads. Unlike most other spiders, brown recluse spiders only have six eyes instead of eight. We also identify these spiders by their long, thin legs covered in tiny hairs.

Most spiders can bite people, but brown recluse and black widow spiders are considered dangerous because their venom is potent enough to cause harm to people. Their venom triggers reactions that, while typically not life-threatening, are serious.

The black widow spider's venom affects the nervous system. In humans, a bite can cause systematic pain, nausea, muscle spasm, and respiratory paralysis. There is no over-the-counter first-aid for bites. You must consult a physician immediately if you are bitten by one of these spiders.

Brown recluse spiders are shy and rarely bite unless provoked. An interesting fact is that they are incapable of biting through clothing. Bites sometimes go unnoticed until effects become apparent a few hours later. Necrosis of the tissue around the bite, infection, and severe illness are caused by bites from these spiders.

Should a brown recluse spider bite you, remain calm and immediately seek medical attention by contacting your physician, a hospital, or poison control.

Because spiders are predators, if your property has an abundance of insects and spiders they like to hunt, they will quickly make themselves at home. Like other pests, spiders are opportunistic and take advantage of outdoor spaces offering them food, water, and shelter. Though Arizona spiders prefer to live outside, they may find their way into our homes by following their insect prey or searching for a safe place to lay their eggs.

The brown recluse spider tends to frequent isolated corners and sheltered areas with low moisture levels. They prefer areas unoccupied and not disturbed by humans. A few places where brown recluse spiders are found in homes include window sills, behind entertainment centers, dark closets, shoes, cluttered basements or attics, firewood piles, and under leaves, rocks, and stairs.

Black widow spiders hang out in rock crevices, wood piles, overhangs, dark garages, basements, stables, and many other areas. These spiders spin an irregular web of silk strands that are heavy and strong. Black widow spiders prefer to build their webs at ground level.

Though spiders provide us with the benefit of natural pest control, when they take over our properties and move into our homes, they are unwanted. To get rid of spiders and keep them away long-term, partner with a Phoenix pest control expert. Protection Termite Control is committed to our customers; trust our family-owned and operated company to offer you pest control you can count on to be effective.

To remove unwanted spiders from your property, we offer the following:

• Control
• Extermination
• Proofing

Contact us today so we can begin protecting your home and family against spiders in Phoenix.

The following spider prevention tips will help you stop these eight-legged creatures from overrunning your property. 

• Keep leaves, weeds, and other yard debris away from your home's perimeter.
• To stop spiders from having easy access to your home, cut back shrubs and trees from its exterior. 
• Keep lids on trash cans; open trash cans will attract insects to your property, which in turn attracts spiders.
• Turn off outdoor lights that attract the attention of insects when they aren't needed.
• Inspect and seal openings you discover in your home's exterior. 

For spider and home pest control in Phoenix, reach out to us at Protection Termite Control now.