The fear of spiders, also known as arachnophobia, is common in the United States. However, you don’t need to have arachnophobia to not want spiders in your home. You might find these common spiders in your Raleigh, North Carolina home: the brown recluse, black widow, and wolf spider. Other house spiders common in North Carolina are fishing spiders and black and yellow garden spiders.
Spiders Common To Raleigh
While wolf spiders and other house spiders are harmless, any spider is an unwelcome sight in your home.
- The brown recluse is one of two poisonous spiders in the United States. This spider is light brown with a dark violin-like marking on its back. The brown recluse spider doesn’t usually bite unless provoked.
- The black widow is the other poisonous spider. It has a shiny black body with an orange / red hourglass marking on its abdomen. They commonly hide in woodpiles and dimly lit spaces such as corners of garages, basements, and sheds.
- Wolf spiders are known to violently hunt their prey, but they are not dangerous to humans. Wolf spiders are usually brown, grey, black, and tan. They typically have dark markings such as stripes and are often confused for a tarantula because of their hairy bodies. Instead of spinning a web, wolf spiders create burrows.
Pest Prevention
As much as we may dislike spiders or fear them, we have to acknowledge that they help us control other insect populations. Spiders prey on insects such as flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, crickets, and ants. They also sometimes prey on other spiders. So, there are some benefits to keeping spiders around. However, it is better to try to eliminate spiders and the insects they feed on.
You can apply some general pest prevention tips on your Raleigh property to keep both spiders and other pests controlled.
- Proper food and trash storage is the cardinal standard for proper pest control. Always store food in a sealed container, air-tight is the best, and keep trashcans clean and closed.
- Make sure you are clearing clutter both inside and outside of your home. Insects and other pests will make their homes in hidden places. Hiding places for insects include piles of leaves, firewood, children’s toys left outside unused and uncleaned, and any clutter in your home that is rarely used or cleaned.
- Address moisture such as leaking pipes, standing water in your yard, and broken and unclean gutters. This is another prevention tip that is important for all pests, not just spiders.
- Keep outside lights off when not needed as some insects are attracted to light. Preventing spider prey is necessary for avoiding spiders.
- Make sure your home is adequately sealed for both spiders and their prey to minimize possible entry points. You can do this by checking that screens and door sweeps are in proper condition and sealing up gaps and cracks on your foundation.
- De-web your property by sweeping away webs inside and outside your home.
Professional Pest Solutions
Pest control can often seem daunting, especially when dealing with spiders. For trusted professional assistance, contact Innovative Pest Solutions. Since 2002, Innovative Pest Solutions has been protecting Raleigh, North Carolina (and surrounding area) homes from unwanted pests. Schedule a free inspection of your Raleigh property or contact us for more advice and pest prevention tips.
