Serving Memphis, Cordova, Germantown & Collierville TN
Do those creepy, crawly spiders give you the creeps? Don’t worry. Only a couple of species of spiders pose an actual threat to humans. Today on the blog, your pest control professionals in Memphis explain why you should not get spooked by spiders.
Get the facts on spiders
Spiders are arachnids, meaning that these creatures have two body segments and eight legs. Spiders may stay outside but also could infiltrate your home. If they do come inside, they are going to seek out dark and damp areas: basements, crawl spaces, attics, air vents or an unused corner of a room.
The fear of spiders is known as arachnophobia and it’s estimated to affect roughly 15% of the population. The reality, however, is that very few spiders are hazardous to humans. These include the brown recluse and the black widow. Their bite can cause redness, swelling and pain. If you are allergic, a bite from a brown recluse or black widow also could lead to headaches, muscle cramps or anaphylactic shock.
Common spiders in Memphis
First, the bad news: The brown recluse and the black widow are on this list. The good news? These two species of spider represent a small percentage of the overall population of these arachnid creatures.
Other spiders that are commonly found in Memphis and the surrounding areas in west Tennessee include:
- Brown widow
- Cellar spiders
- Fishing spiders
- Funnel weavers
- Giant house spiders
- Daddy longlegs (also known as harvestmen)
- Hobo spiders
- House spiders
- Huntsman spiders
- Orb weavers
- Sac spiders
- Southern house spiders
- Wolf spiders
- Woodlouse spiders
When are spiders most likely to infiltrate your home?
Fall is the time of year when spiders seek to go inside, in search of food, water and shelter as temperatures decrease and the weather turns cold. While most spiders are not harmful, we understand that you may not want them inside your home. Consequently, there are a few measures you can take to lower the likelihood of spiders crawling into your living space.
Seal off points of entry: The smallest gap in a door, window or wall can provide an access point for spiders in your neighborhood. Seal any cracks, crevices and holes you encounter, while replacing any screens that are damaged or torn.
Reduce clutter: Spiders tend to seek out areas that are rarely used or where they can hide. Keep your home clean; this includes attics, garages, basements and other areas commonly earmarked for storage of little-used items.
Pest control: Spiders seek food like any other organism. These arachnids are carnivores who eat other insects for nourishment. So, chances are that if spiders are coming into your home, they are pursuing other insects they have identified as possible prey. If you remove these pests from your home, spiders will go elsewhere in search of food.
Spider control in Memphis and Cordova in Tennessee
Spiders are like any other type of household pest. There is no 100% guarantee to keep them out of your home. However, a professional pest control company like AAA Termite & Pest can use treatments and preventive measures to provide you with the best measures of protection that currently are available. Schedule a consultation with one of our technicians today by calling (901) 737-7878 or complete our convenient online contact form.