Different pests warrant different reactions from homeowners. If you found an ant in your kitchen, you would probably be annoyed but not scared. This is also true for fruit flies, mosquitoes, and fungus gnats. These types of bugs are so common that they are regularly ignored. The same cannot be said about spiders. When spiders invade Westchester homes, people get scared. Why? Because not only are spiders creepy to look at, they are also considered dangerous. To help you identify dangerous spiders and keep all spiders out of your Westchester home, here are some things to consider.
What Spiders Live in Westchester?
Westchester is home to a large variety of spiders. The good news is that not all are known for invading area properties. The three you have to worry about the most are wolf spiders, American house spiders, and cellar spiders. Of these three pests, wolf spiders and house spiders are the only ones capable of biting humans and will do so when threatened. Thankfully, their bites are nonlethal and cause minimal problems for those who don’t have an allergy to insect venom.
Although much less common, two incredibly dangerous spiders occasionally invade homes in our area, the brown recluse and the black widow. These pests are a big part of why many people are afraid of spiders, as their bites are painful and come with a long list of possible symptoms.
The Reason Spiders Invade Homes
The main reason spiders invade homes is to hunt for food. If you didn’t know, spiders would prey upon insects, arthropods, and even other arachnids. If your home has an influx of these pests, spiders may try to get inside to get a bite to eat. One thing you should know is that spiders don’t always invade homes for a reason. Often, these pests wander indoors and stick around after they find a reason to stay.
Prevention Tips For Spiders
Because spiders regularly invade homes to hunt for other pests, we believe it is important to use a range of general pest-prevention strategies to keep them out of your home. Here are a few great tips and tricks to try today.
- Keep your living areas as clean and tidy as possible.
- Pick up food messes and wipe up drink spills as they occur around your home.
- Address leaky piping and fixtures inside your home.
- Eliminate sources of water build-up in and around your home.
- Use a dehumidifier around humid areas such as basements and crawl spaces.
- Seal up cracks and gaps in your home’s exterior foundation and spacing around window/door frames using a caulking gun.
- Make sure your home’s window/door screens are in good working condition.
- Install door sweeps around your home’s exterior.
- Address problems with weatherstripping.
- Store leftover food inside plastic, glass, or metal containers.
- Use a long broom to knock down spider webs in and around your home.
The Reason You Need Professionals For A Spider Infestation
Although dangerous spiders are not common here in Westchester, they still invade homes on occasion. To reduce your chances of being bitten while dealing with invasive spiders, let our experts help out. At Parkway Pest Services, we offer detailed general home pest control to handle a wide range of pests, including spiders and their prey.
Give us a call today if you have any questions about spiders, and get started on your road to a pest-free home and property. We will take care of all the details and make sure you and your Westchester home are fully taken care of.