It’s easy to understand why so many people are afraid of spiders. You see a few tarantulas in the movies or hear a few stories about deadly black widows, and suddenly the spider hiding in your basement seems a lot scarier. But the truth is, the vast majority of spiders in the U.S. are basically harmless to humans and want to be left alone.
There’s no need to panic if you spot a spider in your Long Island home. But if you see spiders, it’s a sign that you need to take some pest control precautions around your property. Here are six tips for spider prevention for Long Island homeowners.
Types Of Spiders In Long Island
Most species of spiders found in Long Island are harmless to humans. The infamous black widow spider and brown recluse spider are not native to the region. The most common species found in Long Island homes include:
- American house spiders – These spiders have large, round abdomens with black and yellow patterning. House spiders weave and then abandon their webs, changing locations to catch prey. They typically measure 1/4 inch in length.
- Wolf spiders – Hairy, fast, and relatively large, it’s not hard to tell how these spiders earned their name. Wolf spiders don’t weave webs but instead stalk their prey on foot. They are typically gray or brown in color and can measure up to one inch or larger in length.
- Sac spiders – The only semi-dangerous spider known to reside in the Long Island area, pale-colored sac spiders weave small silk sacs to sleep and recuperate while hunting on foot like wolf spiders. Yellow sac spiders can deliver a potent venom that causes itchy sores but is not life-threatening. They typically measure 1/4 inch in length.
Spider Prevention Tips
To prevent spiders from entering your home, you need to control spiders and the prey insects they feed on. Here are a few easy ways you can prevent spiders in your Long Island home:
- Mind your crumbs. Ensure there are no crumbs, spills, or food waste that can attract pests in your home. Wipe down the areas where you cook and eat, mop and sweep regularly, and don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight.
- Take out the trash. Prey insects like house flies, ants, and cockroaches all love to munch on trash. Keep your garbage in a bin with a tight-sealing lid. If possible, keep trash receptacles at least 20 feet away from the house.
- Protect your pantry. Keep the pest insects that spiders feed on from infesting your pantry by storing food in secure containers. Sturdy plastic containers with tight-sealing lids are okay, but glass or metal is best.
- Reduce moisture. Both spiders and the bugs they feed on are drawn to excess moisture. Seal leaking pipes, clear gutters to ensure proper drainage, and consider installing a dehumidifier in your basement, or at least opening the windows to ventilate.
- Prevent entry. Keep spiders out by using silicone caulk to seal any cracks or gaps on the exterior of your home around pipes, along the foundation, or around doors and windows. Replace damaged weather stripping, door sweeps, and screens.
- Don’t forget the yard. Keep up with yard work to eliminate outdoor hiding spots for prey insects, especially mowing the lawn and trimming hedges. If you have a stack of firewood, try to keep it at least 20 feet away from your house on an elevated platform.
If you’re having trouble with spiders or the bugs they feed on, you can count on the pros at Parkway Pest Services for help. Our comprehensive residential pest control plans are designed to safely eliminate the pests you have and prevent new infestations from occurring in the future, so you won’t have to deal with another spider again. Get in touch with us today.