Crawling insects
Spiders: identification, signs & control
How do you get rid of spiders around the house?
Getting rid of spiders means removing their webs and their food. Rehoboth sweeps webs and egg sacs from eaves, windows and corners, dusts the cracks where spiders hide and treats the perimeter so the insects spiders feed on stay outside. If you're seeing lots of spiders, there are usually lots of insects too.
How do you identify spiders?
- House spiders: tangled cobwebs in corners, windows and garages
- Cellar spiders: very long thin legs, loose webs in basements
- Wolf spiders: large, hairy, brown, hunt on the floor without webs
What are the signs of spiders?
- Webs in eaves, window frames and basement corners
- Egg sacs along ceilings and under deck rails
- Spiders running across floors in late summer and fall
Are spiders dangerous?
- Most local spiders are harmless to people
- Black widows occur in PA and NJ but are uncommon; avoid handling spiders in woodpiles and sheds
- Heavy webbing is a sign of other insect activity
How can you prevent spiders?
- Reduce outdoor lighting that attracts insects (spiders' food)
- Keep firewood and clutter away from the house
- Seal gaps around windows, doors and utility lines
- Vacuum webs and egg sacs regularly
How does Rehoboth treat spiders?
Our eave sweep removes webs and egg sacs every season, then repellent dust and the perimeter barrier keep spiders and the insects they eat outside. If you'd rather we leave spiders alone, tell us; we've customized plans for that too.
More questions
Are there brown recluse spiders in Pennsylvania?
Brown recluses aren't established in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. Occasional ones arrive in moving boxes, but most 'recluse' sightings turn out to be harmless look-alikes.
Get rid of spiders
Tell us what you're seeing. We'll inspect, explain what we find and recommend the lightest plan that will actually work.