Is there any pest as scary as the spider? Most people would agree that there is not. These eight-legged, multi-eyed invaders are terrifying to look at. Some pose a direct risk to human health. Others build intricate and unsightly webs. All are a huge problem when they come indoors. If you are tired of finding spiders around your Tampa home and property, let us help you today with this handy spider control guide.
Which Spiders Live In Tampa?
There are four types of spiders you should know about that live in Tampa: wolf spiders, brown recluse, black widows, and jumping spiders. Of these arachnids, two are dangerous and two are harmless (but still a huge nuisance). To help you identify these pests inside your home, here is a basic description of each.
Wolf Spider: The wolf spider is ¼ to 1 ⅜” long and dark brown with pale, sometimes yellow markings. This invasive spider hunts its prey from the ground, doesn’t build webs, and has a bite that feels similar to a bee sting.
Brown Recluse: The brown recluse is ¼ to ½” long, light to dark brown, has a dark violin-shaped mark on its back just behind its head, and is frequently mistaken for other common spiders in our area. This pest is incredibly dangerous, doesn’t build webs, and hunts from the ground.
Black Widow: The black widow is 1 ½ to 1 ⅜” long, black, and has a distinct hourglass mark on the underside of its abdomen. This invasive pest builds intricate nests in and around homes and has a potent venom that causes high levels of pain and severe symptoms.
Jumping Spider: The jumping spider is ⅛ to ¾” long, black, brown, or grey, and sometimes has pale markings. This pest's eyes and body shape are considered by some to be objectively cute. Despite this, jumping spiders are still a regular problem inside area homes.
Why Spiders Invade Homes
Spiders will invade homes for one of three reasons. Most often they invade to hunt for prey like insects, arthropods, and other arachnids. Other times they find their way indoors while trying to escape negative conditions outdoors. Finally, sometimes spiders wander inside without trying. Once indoors they will look around. If they find what they need to survive, they might just stick around.
How To Keep Spiders Out Of Your Living Areas
To make sure spiders have trouble finding their way into your home and have no reason to stay if they do, here are some prevention tips to use around your Tampa property.
- Use a caulking gun or some liquid cement to fill in holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.
- Address problems with window/door screens, weatherstripping, and door sweeps.
- Turn off exterior lights at night or invest in insect-resistant, yellow, light bulbs.
- Keep your living areas clean and tidy.
- Brush down spider webs around your home’s exterior. Make sure no spiders are home when you do this.
What To Do If Spiders Invade
When spiders invade, they are not always easy to get out. To eliminate these pests around your Tampa property, consider involving the experts at EcoTech Pest Control Services. We know everything there is to know about area spiders and have the tools and experience needed to effectively and safely remove them from your Tampa Bay home.
Give us a call today to speak to one of our friendly service representatives. We will walk you through all of our home pest control service options, answer any questions you have, and get you on your path to a pest-free property.