Eliminating Spiders for Good

Most of us don't like to see spiders. They're creepy and crawly, and they often surprise us in our homes. And, as the weather gets cooler, we tend to see more people seeking shelter indoors than ever.

Kentucky is home to hundreds of species of spiders. Lucky for us, only two Diamond Pest Control species are typically a real threat to your safety and health: the black widow and the brown recluse. The bites of these spiders can cause serious medical concerns if not treated promptly.

While the chance of coming into contact with a black widow is rare, brown recluse activity has increased dramatically over the past three years; however, they're each easily identifiable. The Black Widow can be recognised for their shiny black colour and the red hourglass marking on their back, and the Brown Recluse is a large brown or orange spider with a "violin" shaped marking on its back (which is why a popular local term for this species is "Fiddler" spider).

The best way to avoid contact with spiders is to be aware of their common hiding spots and practise preventative measures. Keep reading to learn more about spider identification and prevention for spiders commonly found in Kentucky.

Identifying Spiders

Spiders vary in appearance but follow some basic anatomical characteristics: they pest control in London have eight jointed legs, two stigmata (body sections), no wings, an exoskeleton, they build webs, and they usually have eight eyes. Their unique traits allow them to be easily recognisable most of the time.

Indeed, what spiders really have on their side is the element of surprise. They can appear anywhere in your house—on the kitchen counter, on your pillow, or in the shower.While they may seem to be indiscriminate in their stealthy approach, they actually prefer certain conditions: warm, dark, undisturbed spaces. This includes attics, closets, garages, storage sheds, window sills, underneath furniture, and other less-used spaces. Outside, you may find them in piles of brush and wood, in your garden, and in dense vegetation.

Preventing Spiders

The best way to reduce the chance of coming into contact with any type of spider is by practising preventive measures. These include:

sealing points of entry. Patch up cracks, gaps, and spaces between doors, windows, and other points of entry in your home. Cover windows with screens, and make sure your vents are properly enclosed. Spiders are good at finding even the most subtle of entry points.

cleaning spider-prone areas. Few of us take the time to clean rarely-used spaces like attics and closets. However, the dirtier and dustier they get, the more likely they are to gather some unwelcome guests. Make sure to mop, sweep, or vacuum these areas occasionally.

Getting rid of clutter Unused storage spaces like attics and garages tend to gather our junk: old papers and records, old toys, winter clothes, unused furniture, etc. Spiders can hide in nooks and crannies created by unnecessary clutter.And this goes for your backyard too—mowing and trimming bushes can help reduce spider habitats as well.

Eliminating Spiders for Good

Many common spiders can lay dozens of eggs at a time, resulting in hundreds to thousands of babies. That means that the presence of a single spider in your home can result in a full-blown infestation. If you start to notice lots of spiders in your home, don't hesitate to seek help. Call a licenced pest control professional, like the pros at Black Diamond, to help you safely and effectively eliminate spiders for good. Just dial 877-DEAD-BUG anytime!

At Black Diamond, our mission is simple: We strive to provide the highest quality pest control with the best customer service in the industry. This mission has grown our flagship location (Black Diamond headquarters in Jeffersonville, Indiana) into one of the largest pest control offices in the country with well over 135 service vehicles and nearly 200 employees. An ever-growing company, Black Diamond now has branches in Northern Kentucky, Elizabethtown (KY), Evansville (IN), Columbus (IN), Knoxville (TN), and Murfreesboro (TN), as well as franchises throughout the midwest and southern United States.