Spiders

Spider Control

Many people have an inherent fear of spiders, giving them an often undeserved negative reputation. Though most spiders are venomous and considered predators, of the thousands of species found in Canada, few are actually considered a health threat. In fact, spiders are actually helpful in controlling other pests in the home or garden since they feed on other insects and spiders. They generally bite and inject venom into their prey. Spiders, however, rarely bite humans. They are attracted to warm, dark small spaces, like wall cracks, corners, air vents, and in the eaves of your home. Some spider species prefer to stay closer to the outdoors, weaving their webs in your barn, garden or near your outside lighting. Most spiders are a nuisance primarily because of their webbing. The bite of most spiders has little to no effect on people and are likened to a bee sting producing localized swelling at the site of the bite wound; while a few others are of minor medical importance. Spider pests that we see most common in this area are the Brown Recluse, Hobo, House and Wolf Spider. We also see smaller Black Widow Spiders on occasion that come in from other provinces or countries in produce. They are generally small and their bites are not fatal.

We Can Help

If you are infested with spiders and their webs, call the experts at Central Alberta Pest Control Ltd. We offer a call-out service to deal with spider and other pest problems in the home. Our service is fast, effective and offers the highest level of safety for your family and pets.

How to Keep Spiders away from your home or business

Spiders usually enter homes in the fall due to their need for warmth over the winter.

  • Re-evaluate your lighting options in a way that is less attractive to the insects that spiders feed on.
  • Clean up and remove any noticeable webs.
  • Vacuum your area regularly.
  • Relocate any firewood piles and compost piles away from your home or business
  • Fill in wall gaps and under door spaces to deter entry.

Preventing Spider Bites

  • Shake out clothing and shoes before getting dressed.
  • Inspect bedding and towels before use.
  • Wear gloves when handling firewood, lumber, and rocks (be sure to inspect the gloves for spiders before putting them on).
  • Remove bedskirts. Move the bed away from the wall.
  • Don’t store boxes and other items underneath beds.
  • Exercise care when handling cardboard boxes (some spiders may inhabit the space under folded cardboard flaps).

Exclusion

  • Install tight-fitting screens on windows and doors; also install weather stripping and door sweeps.
  • Seal or caulk cracks and crevices where spiders can enter the house.
  • Equip vents in soffits, foundations, and roof gables with tight-fitting screens.
  • Install yellow or sodium vapor light bulbs outdoors since these attract fewer insects for spiders to feed upon.
  • Many web-making spiders set up residence near lights that remain on at night. Locate such lights away from the house or turn them off when not needed.
  • Tape the edges of cardboard boxes to prevent spider entry.
  • Use plastic bags (sealed) to store loose items in the garage, basement, and attic.

Sanitation

  • Remove trash, old boxes, old clothing, wood piles, rock piles, and other unwanted items.
  • Eliminate clutter in closets, basements, attics, garages, and outbuildings.
  • Store items off the floor and away from walls in basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and outbuildings in order to reduce spider harborage sites.
  • Eliminate household pests (prey) such as flies, ants, and cockroaches that attract spiders.
  • Do not stack wood against the house.
  • Remove heavy vegetation and leaf litter around the foundation.
  • Wash spider webs off the outside of the house using a high-pressure hose.

Non-Chemical Control

  • Capture the spider and release it outdoors. An effective technique for capturing hunting spiders is to place a cup over the spider and then slide a piece of paper underneath to entrap it.
  • Dust and vacuum thoroughly to remove spiders, webs, and egg sacs (dispose of the vacuum bag in a container outdoors).
  • Outdoors, use a water hose or broom to regularly destroy any webs that are constructed on or around the house. Spiders often move elsewhere when their webs are regularly destroyed.
  • Use a rolled up newspaper or fly swatter to kill individual spiders.
  • Use sticky traps or glueboards to entangle spiders.
  • Eliminate or shield outdoor lights or bright indoor lights that attract the spiders’ insect food source.
  • Trim vegetation around the building foundation and remove debris to discourage insects and spiders from living next to a structure.
  • Seal openings and install screens and door sweeps to prevent spiders (as well as other unwanted pests) from moving indoors.