Spiders are arachnids that have eight legs and play a vital role in the overall ecosystem by reducing the population of other types of unwanted pests. Spiders are predatory creatures that either build silky webs for ensnaring their prey or use ambush-style tactics.
Why are we scared of spiders? Popular culture has traditionally portrayed spiders as creepy and dangerous. Some individuals have a fear or phobia of spiders, known as arachnophobia.
Are spiders routinely invading your home? A local Portsmouth pest control professional knows the various strategies regarding how to get rid of spiders in basement areas and the best way to keep spiders away from the premises.
The Ten Most Common House Spiders
Data suggests that more than 35 different species of spiders exist throughout New Hampshire. Among the most common types that property owners may encounter indoors that pose minimal health risks include wolf spiders, American house spiders, American grass spiders, cellar spiders, orb weavers, and European garden spiders. The three potential dangerous (venomous) spiders include the black widow, brown recluse, and broad-faced sac spider, which are less common in New Hampshire than in other states.
Spider 101: Identifying What Spider Is In Your House
What is a good way of identifying house spiders? Some of the distinguishing physical characteristics of the spiders include:
- Wolf spiders: Known for having a hairy body, wolf spiders have eight eyes and do not construct webs.
- American house spiders: The “common” house spider appears in various colors, and the females generate brown egg sacs that measure roughly ¼ of an inch.
- American grass spiders: With a brown or black body, American grass spiders have two dark stripes on their head with a lighter strip between them.
- Cellar spiders: Among the most common cellar spiders is the “daddy longlegs,” which have a small body and long, thin legs.
- Orb weavers: The orb-weaver creates large webs for capturing prey and has legs that appear orange.
- European garden spider: Sometimes called the diadem spider or cross spider, the European garden spider often builds large webs in yard areas that have substantial moisture.
- The running crab spider: Appearing as brown or gray, the running crab spider has one longer pair of legs than all the others.
- The bold jumping spider: Typically having a black body, the bold jumping spider has many spots, stripes, and other markings.
- The black widow: With a shiny, black body, the black widow has a distinctive red mark on its underside.
- Broad-faced sac spider: With a reddish-brown body and a light-colored abdomen, broad-faced sac spiders have a single, less-visible rear stripe.
Keep in mind that many of the smaller spiders are very hard to distinguish with the naked eye. Although the most venomous species are less common in this region, always exercise caution and avoid directly handling these pests.
Do All Spiders Bite Humans?
The majority of spiders can deliver a bite and have venom; however, most species are either unable to pierce the skin of humans or produce a very mild venom that lacks potency. Many of the biting incidents attributed to spiders actually result from ticks or similar pests.
The Key To Keeping Spiders Out Of Your Home
Many property owners are unaware that the presence of spiders indoors may suggest that another pest-related problem exists within the property. Spiders generally will reside in areas where they have access to ample food sources such as flies, mosquitoes, or moths. Therefore, contacting a local pest controller regarding an inspection is strongly recommended.
The team of qualified professionals with Freedom Pest Control will solve pest-related problems for property owners in Portsmouth. Our organization always backs the quality of our work with a satisfaction guarantee. Contact our office today for a consultation.