Spiders are some of nature’s most aggressive creatures, and they send chills down the spine of most people, but they do benefit the environment. They contribute to their natural habitats by preying on insects and small animals that are considered to be pests. They provide a significant food source for other creatures as well. Spiders may also be one of the most misunderstood creatures, and the fear they generate in people is often unwarranted.
When spiders have infested your property and your home, they become pests that need to be eliminated. Some spiders aren’t very harmful to humans, but others can kill a person if the spider bites and injects their venom into that person; this makes them a severe health concern. Learning how to get rid of spider nests will help make your home a safer environment for your family and pets.
What Are Spiders?
All spiders fall under the classification of arachnids. An arachnid has two body segments, eight legs, and up to eight eyes. Their mouthparts are scientifically referred to as chelicerae and contain fangs which they use to inject venom into prey or for defense. Male spiders have what are called pedipalps, which are used for mating.
Spiders range in size from a minuscule 0.37 millimeters to as big as a dinner plate or 28 centimeters (11 inches). They also vary in color and can be bright yellow, red, black, brown, or just about any other color combination you can imagine. All spiders produce what is known as spider silk, and each species use their silk in different ways. Though spiders are incredibly aggressive, they tend to avoid humans and rarely attack humans unless they are forced to defend themselves.
Where Do Spiders Live?
Different species of spiders can be found all around the world and throughout the United States. Most spiders stick to the shadows and only come out at night to build their webs to capture prey and then retreat to the safety of their hiding places during the day. Certain types of spiders are active during the day and hunt their prey by running it down.
When in your home, spiders can be found in corners of rooms and ceilings and behind furniture. They will also take up residence in cabinets under your sinks, in the void areas of appliances, and under your bed. Anywhere there is sustainable prey for them to eat is where you will find spiders building their nests.
What Are Spider Nests?
Spiders that build nests will construct their nests or sacs out of the silk that they produce from their bodies. If spiders become comfortable in your home and have enough food sources to sustain them, they will build nests in dark, secluded areas inside your home, such as the corners of rooms near the floor or the ceiling. A spider is a tell-tell sign that you have a significant problem with spiders in your house or about to. You may choose to handle the spiders on your own, but for really bad infestations, you may have to use a professional pest control agency.
The most common spiders to build nests in houses are orb weaver spiders, funnelweb spiders, hobo spiders, cobweb spiders, and sac spiders. These spiders use spin silk to make sacs to protect and hold their eggs and nests to live and lie in wait for their prey to come close enough to catch. Spiders are capable of producing up to 1,000 eggs and will protect them and the nest until their young or spiderlings hatch. When they hatch, you could have hundreds of spiders leaving the nest and making their way into every part of your home.
How to Get Rid of Spider Nests
The knee-jerk reaction of finding a spider nest is to remove it immediately, but you may be in for a big surprise if there are up to 1,000 spiderlings just waiting for a little encouragement to leave the nest. The best course of action is to use a spider killing spray to kill any or all the spiders living in the nest. Depending on how many nests or how big the nests are, you may have to treat the nest multiple times to eliminate all of the spiders.
Once you have finished treating the nest, you can use a vacuum or a cobweb duster to remove the nest. After you have removed the nest, it is recommended to use a long-lasting insecticide spray to prevent spiders from creating new nests in the same places. Implementing preventative measures and being proactive in and around your home can help to keep spiders out of your yard and your house.
A few steps to take that can reduce the risk of future spider infestations are as follows:
- Keep logs and firewood outside and away from the foundations or entryways to your house.
- Keep your yard free from leaves and other organic debris.
- Keep your yard, shrubs, and trees well-manicured.
- Clean your house regularly.
- Remove or organize clutter.
- Seal off cracks or crevices in your home’s foundation or any other area they are found.
- Use halogen or high-pressure sodium vapor lights on the exterior of the home instead of standard lighting; this will reduce the number of insects attracted to your home and result in fewer spiders.
- Spray an outdoor insecticide made to repel or kill spiders around the perimeter of your home.
These are a few of the ways you can reduce the threat of spiders invading your house. In many cases, you can keep spiders out by keeping the insects they eat out. Spiders aren’t always a bad sign, as they help by providing free pest control against other annoying insects, which are considered common pests. Though spiders can help, more often than not, they can become the problem if left unchecked. Learning how to get rid of spider nests can protect your family, pets, and home from a spider infestation.
