Spider control in Boston can get dicey fast, especially in the winter. Our harsh and cold winters can drive pests of all kinds indoors, and when their prey comes inside to get away from the freezing temperatures, spiders are sure to follow. However, even though you might see an uptick in spider activity during the winter, they can invade your home at any time, so you need to remain vigilant for these pests all year round.
Spider Behavior: How They Hunt, Feed, And Mate
Spiders are arachnids, meaning they have eight legs and two body segments. They're also obligate carnivores, so they have to catch and eat live prey. Most people think of web-weaving spiders when they think about how spiders hunt. However, not all types of spiders weave webs. Some actively stalk and ambush their prey instead. Regardless of how they catch their prey, all spiders feed by liquefying their prey’s insides and sucking them out after their pre-digestive enzymes have done their job.
All spiders also reproduce by laying eggs. Most of the time, these eggs come in a sac, and all hatch at the same time, meaning if one spider lays one egg sac in your home, hundreds of little spiderlings could soon be crawling around it.
Spider Problems: Why You Don't Want These Arachnids In Your Home
Common spiders in Massachusetts are generally harmless. Most spiders in our area do not have venom that is potent enough to harm humans. This means if you're bitten by most spiders in Boston, you will experience little more than pain and swelling at the site of the bite.
Unfortunately, this is not the case for every spider in our area. We do have one dangerous species — the black widow — that does pose a threat to people and pets. Black widow venom can cause serious systemic symptoms, including:
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Intense pain
Muscle spasms
Trouble breathing
If you experience a black widow bite, you will need medical attention right away.
Unfortunately, even though most spiders in our area are harmless, there is no way to keep black widows out specifically. This means you will need to keep spiders of all types out of your home.
Preventing Spiders In The House: Practical Tips And Tricks
To prevent spiders in your home, the best thing to do is prevent their prey. Spiders do not have any reason to come inside our homes unless they are following prey. If your home is full of spider prey, there's a good chance it will become full of spiders too. Thus, to prevent spider prey, like cockroaches, ants, or flies, take measures like:
Store your pantry foods in airtight containers.
Cover all trash cans on your property at all times.
Seal potential entryways like cracks and holes in your home's exterior.
Fix moisture problems like leaky pipes and condensation.
Clean up immediately after meals and never leave dirty dishes sitting out.
Knock down spider webs wherever you find them.
Unfortunately, pests are often stubborn and determined to get into our homes. This means you may have to get rid of spiders despite your best prevention efforts.
Professional Pest Control: A Great Spider Control Solution
For the best spider removal services, contact General Environmental Services. Not only can we help you eliminate the spider infestation that's ailing you, but we can also help figure out what is drawing spiders into your home and eliminate that, too.
It's not always easy for homeowners to eliminate both spider and spider prey infestations, and that's why you shouldn't go it alone. Don't spend another minute living with your unwanted eight-legged roommates. Kick them out with help from General Environmental Services.