Have you ever spotted a new spider - one you have never seen before? With about 35,000 species of spiders in the world and over 3,000 in North America alone, this tends to happen a lot. Sometimes we discover these creatures in our homes, and let’s face it - no one likes having spiders around, regardless of whether or not they are dangerous. To help you fight back, we will be answering a few commonly asked questions about spiders.
Spiders You Can Expect To See In Your Elizabeth City Home
Although any spider can wander into your home accidentally, there are only a select few that enter by choice. These spiders usually come inside for one reason - to follow a source of food. If you have ever seen a fly caught in a spider’s web, you know what we are talking about. When pest insects get into homes, spiders follow. Below are a few of the most common spiders you can expect to see in your Elizabeth City, NC Home.
- Hobo Spider: Named for the way it hitches rides into homes, the hobo spider can be identified by its light to medium brown body and the dark stripes running down each of its sides. This spider can bite but is commonly mistaken for a more venomous spider species.
- Wolf Spider: Given its name for its front-facing beady eyes, the wolf spider can be identified by its tan to dark brown and thick hairy body. Despite its dangerous appearance, its bite is of no harm to humans.
- Daddy Longlegs Spider: You probably know this spider best. The daddy longlegs is one of the most common household spiders and is known for its long skinny legs and tiny body. Myths about these spiders say that their bite is as strong as that of a black widow - thankfully, science has proven otherwise.
- Brown Recluse Spider: A dangerous spider, the brown recluse is known to invade homes from time to time. This light to dark brown spider has a violin-shaped marking on its back. A bite from a brown recluse can bring about many symptoms, including immediate and intense pain, swelling, fever, difficulty breathing, restlessness, and the decaying of tissue around the bite site, which eventually forms into an ulcer.
- Black Widow Spider: Arguably, the most dangerous and most recognizable spider here in Elizabeth City is the black widow. Known for her sleek black body and the red hourglass stamped on her abdomen, the black widow is to be fearfully respected. A bite from this spider can include symptoms such as stiff muscles, nausea, trouble breathing, abdominal pain, excessive sweating, swollen eyelids, rash and itching, and weakness.
If you or a loved one is unfortunate enough to receive a bite from a brown recluse or black widow spider, seek medical attention immediately. Although fatality from a bite is not common, bites are often lethal to infants, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
3 General Prevention Tips For Spiders
- Invest in insect-resistant bulbs for exterior lights around your home.
- Clean on a regular basis and leave no food out for pests to find and snack on.
- Seal openings pests could use to get into your home, including holes in your foundation, rips in screens, and gaps around utility piping, as well as window and door frames.
How To Keep Spiders Out Of Your Home
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter which spiders are invading your home, you don’t want them there, and we have the solution. Here at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, we have proven and effective pest control treatments to exclude spiders from your Elizabeth City home. For any questions or to schedule a service visit for your home, give us a call today!