Signs of a Spider Infestation
Webs and Sightings
You might already know you have a spider infestation, but here are a couple of the most common signs spider exterminators look for in your area.
Webs
Not all spiders make webs, but most of those found inside will make cobwebs in low-traffic areas. Basements, crawl spaces, attic spaces, storage containers, cardboard boxes, window frames and window wells, outdoor light fixtures, and similar areas are excellent candidates for spider activity.
Sightings
Besides webs, the main sign of spiders is to find one crawling around. The only reason spiders are found inside or near a home is because of their food insects and other spiders.
The Brown Recluse
· Around 3000 species of spiders live in North America – probably not that many in your area. Most of these are nontoxic to humans, like the yellow sac spider and domestic house spider. However, there are a couple spiders you need to look out for:
The Brown Recluse
· Most common in the southern states, this spider has a potentially lethal bite.
· Its venom is necrotic, meaning it kills living tissue.
· To identify a brown recluse, look for a sandy brown spider with a dark, violin shaped mark on its body.
· This spider will likely be hiding in a dark, secluded area — hence its name.
The Black Widow
· A common venomous spider in the United States.
· Female black widows are much more dangerous than their relatively harmless male counterparts.
· A female black widow’s body is about one-half inch long with a trademark red hourglass on the underside of the belly. The rest of the body and the legs are a shiny black color.
· Drop-for-drop, a female black widow’s venom is thought to be 15 times stronger than rattlesnake venom, although, in most cases, not enough of the spider’s venom is released to be fatal.
· Unlike the brown recluse’s venom, a black widow’s poison affects the nervous system, not the tissue.
· Although most spiders aren’t as dangerous as the brown recluse or black widow, it’s best not to wait too long before seeking professional help if you have a spider infestation.
Spider Webs
· Spiders can often be identified by the type of web they build:
Tangle Webs: Better known as cobwebs, tangle webs are unorganized and look thrown together. These are made by the Theridiidae family of spiders, which the black widow is a member of.
Tubular Webs: These webs create a tunnel, and are usually found between rocks and caves. These are made by the Segestriidae family of spiders which can be venomous.
Funnel Webs: Similar in appearance to tubular webs, funnel webs are essentially used as burrows for the spiders to wait for prey. You will find them between rocks, in plant cover, and other sheltered places. Funnel webs are made by Agelenidae, Dipluridae, and Hexathelidae spiders. Hobo spiders are funnel web building spiders.
Spiral Webs: The most common type of spider web, the spiral orb webs come in two types. There are adhesive and non-adhesive types, both of which are built by Araneidae spiders. Garden spiders are spiral orb web weavers.
Sheet Webs: Being made of individual strands of silk woven into a thick mat, sheet webs are the largest webs that you will see. Despite their size, they are usually home to very small spiders from the Linyphiidae family. These webs will be found in trees and bushes, almost never inside your home.