Key Takeaways
- In fall, spiders head indoors to escape cooler, wetter weather and to mate.
- Most indoor spiders are harmless house spiders, daddy longlegs, or wolf spiders.
- Brown recluse spiders are rare indoors but can pose risks if threatened.
- Spider control starts with prevention. Seal gaps, reduce clutter, remove food sources, and maintain your yard.
- Begin with non-chemical methods. Call a professional exterminator for spiders if DIY is not enough.
Spider Season in Northeast Ohio Homes
Fall in Northeast Ohio brings about beautiful scenery, colorful trees, and a crisp edge to the air. It is a near-perfect time of year. Then you notice the spiders in your house, those eight-legged squatters. “Why are they here? How do I get rid of them, or keep them from coming in at all?” you ask. Same questions every autumn, same unwanted tenants.
Why Spiders Enter Homes in Fall
There are a few reasons why spiders decide to sneak into your home during this otherwise perfect time of year. The first and most obvious reason is that they are seeking shelter from the cooler temperatures. They don’t like the cold or the rainy conditions that sometimes accompany the fall.
Fall is also mating season for several species of spider. The males prowl around more openly, looking for a ready, willing, and able female. Your home is also a good place for the females to lay their eggs safely in hidden locations.
Common Spiders You Might See Indoors
There are some spiders that just naturally set up camp in your home.
House spiders are small and brown. The males have yellow legs, and the females have orange legs. They are the source of the dust-covered cobwebs. Though they can bite, their venom cannot harm you.
Daddy longlegs spiders can similarly be found in the corners of your home and are not harmful if they bite.
You might also find wolf spiders in the home. They may seem alarming because they are faster and bigger than house spiders and daddy longlegs, but they are not harmful either. They can usually be found near windows or on your floor.
Usually the brown recluse is the only dangerous spider you will find in your home.
Brown recluse spiders like to hang out in dry places. They usually pitch their tents in cardboard boxes and will bite you if they feel threatened. Their bites can be harmful to children and the elderly. People usually do not even know they have brown recluse spiders in their home. There are usually no severe reactions to their bites either. The more severe reactions are fevers, nausea, and vomiting. Most bites heal rather quickly and do not cause any adverse effects.
Spider-Proofing Your Home
Now, let’s flip the script from “why” to “bye!” Here are some of the best ways to spider-proof your home.
It’s best to start with some natural means of preventing or ridding the home of the little squatters. Spraying chemicals is awfully tempting, because it can deliver instant gratification, but it’s often unnecessary and may pose a threat to kids and pets. Remember, we are trying to evict the spiders, not poison the home.
The first thing to do is to seal the gaps. Use caulk to seal any gaps in the doorframes, baseboards, or windows. The critters can squeeze their way through the tiniest cracks. Door sweeps and exterior strips help seal up the home. It would also be a good idea to install new screens or windows. There is also a mesh screen that can be used for vents and unused fireplaces to cut off a popular entrance.
Keep your place clean and get rid of clutter. Cleaning really disturbs their living conditions. Vacuuming corners, edges of the ceiling, and windowsills can get rid of existing webs.
Keep the kitchen surfaces clean and the floor swept regularly. Cut off their food and water supply.
Get rid of clutter that provides hiding spots. Things like boxes and papers lying around can provide good hiding spots for these eight-legged home invaders, so don’t leave these things lying around if you possibly can help it.
A 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water can be sprayed on surfaces where your fall roomies love to travel. This is a better alternative to the peppermint oil spray, which is dangerous to your pets. Apply the white vinegar spray to places like windows, other entryways, and kitchen counters once a week. Spiders will avoid places where vinegar and water have been sprayed. This is not harmful to kids or your pets.
Keeping the yard maintained is also important if you want to keep them out. Trimming trees and shrubs, cutting the grass, and raking the leaves will reduce traffic as well. Also, be sure to turn off the lights at night. The lights attract insects that spiders feed on. This is another food supply that can be cut off just by flipping a couple of switches.
When DIY Is Not Enough
There are circumstances where DIY methods will not cut it. It could be time to call the professionals at Black Dog Pest Solutions if:
- You notice the spiders are quickly increasing in your home.
- You see a dangerous species like the brown recluse.
- You want prevention that is sustainable over the long term.
If the DIY steps aren’t cutting it, you’re seeing more spiders by the week, or you’re worried about a dangerous species, bring in the pros. Professional exterminators use various methods for ridding your home of spiders. They can also inspect and seal the cracks, but they are pros, so they’re better at it than you are. Pesticides are often used in targeted areas. The pros at Black Dog Pest Solutions are eco-friendly. There are also sticky spider traps that can be laid where spiders often travel. These traps are effective at trapping and killing spiders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are most spiders I see indoors dangerous?
No. Most are harmless, including house spiders, daddy longlegs, and wolf spiders.
When should I call an exterminator for spiders in Northeast Ohio?
Call if spider populations are increasing, if you suspect a dangerous species, or if you want long-term spider control from a professional.
Do vinegar sprays actually help with spider control?
A 50/50 white vinegar and water mix can discourage spiders along windows, entryways, and other travel routes.
Is peppermint oil safe for pets?
Peppermint oil spray can be dangerous for pets. The vinegar-and-water option is a safer alternative.
What does a professional pest control service do for spiders?
A licensed exterminator for spiders can identify species, apply targeted treatments, seal entry points, and set traps as needed for ongoing pest control.
Conclusion
Fall in Northeast Ohio really is near perfect. Keep it that way by sealing the gaps, clearing the clutter, cutting the food supply, and staying on top of yard work. Do that, and most eight-legged squatters get the message. Otherwise, call in the experts at Black Dog Pest Solutions today at 440-654-8234.