Spiders

Spiders in our area are mostly harmless, but that doesn’t mean we want them living in large numbers in our home or yards. If large populations of spiders are present, large populations of their prey are also present. Unfortunately, many insects that spiders like to feed on, like mosquitoes, are dangerous and spread diseases. Having a problem with spiders is usually an indicator of an overall pest problem on your property.

Black widows are a dangerous spider species living in our area. When they bite, the venom they inject into us is strong enough to cause health problems. The venom of a black widow spider affects the central nervous system of its victim. While rarely fatal, their bites are painful, and a health professional should manage any symptoms.

The other most dangerous spider species found in the United States is the brown recluse. While not native to Idaho, brown recluse spiders are venomous and their bites can cause serious health problems, so it’s important to be educated about these dangerous spiders before traveling to areas where they are found.

If you see the following in your home, you are likely experiencing a problem with spiders:

• A large number of spider webs
• A large number of insects around your property
• The presence of egg sacs
• Spiders live in large numbers in areas that provide them with lots of places to build webs or burrows and plenty of insects to hunt. Areas around our homes where spiders tend to gather include trash cans, recycling bins, gardens, and outdoor light fixtures.

Spiders love to hang out around gardens, trees, grass, and landscaping plants. Most gardeners have a close relationship with spiders as they help reduce garden pests. But like with most things, there can be too much of a good thing! When living outside in large numbers, the chances that spiders will move indoors while following prey increases. When spiders take over our indoor and outdoor spaces, they need to be controlled just like any other pest.

After spiders move into our homes, they move into dark, quiet areas like basements, attics, under furniture, and inside crawl spaces. They are also regularly seen along window sills, in the corners of rooms, and near light fixtures.

At Owyhee Environmental, we want to help you prevent problems with spiders by putting together a list of prevention tips that will make your property less attractive to these pests:

• Before bringing objects into your home that were outside, like boxes, plant pots, or furniture, inspect them closely for hiding spiders.
• Take the time to look at the outside walls and foundation of your house and locate any openings that could allow spiders or other pests to move indoors. Use a caulk or silicone sealer to repair the openings.
• Keep your kitchen neat and tidy and free of food debris or sticky spills. Doing this will help make your home less attractive to the insects that spiders hunt.
• Make your yard less attractive to the insects that spiders like to feed on by keeping lids on trash cans, recycling bins, and maintaining garden areas.
• Keep the grass in your yard cut short and regularly prune shrubs and bushes to keep them from overgrowing and providing cover for spiders and other pests.