To some people, spiders are one of the scariest of all home intruders. Some people take it a step further and experience an intense fear known as arachnophobia. Yes, they are creepy-looking little pests, but most spiders are harmless to humans. Even though most spiders pose no threat, nobody wants to share their living space with them.

If you suspect that you have a spider infestation in your home, it’s recommended that you call your local Memphis pest control company to take a look. Chief Termite & Pest Control has served Memphis since 1960, and we take pride in the high-quality service we provide to our community. Give us a call to learn about our spider control solutions for your home.

Common Types Of Spiders You May Find In Your Memphis Home

The most common spiders in Tennessee are common house spiders, wolf spiders, brown recluse spiders, and black widows.

• Common house spiders: As their name implies, they are the most common spiders seen indoors. They are usually yellowish-brown with a bulbous, lighter-colored abdomen marked with dark stripes. The female is approximately 3/16 to 5/16 of an inch, while the male is smaller.
• Wolf spiders: These larger hairy spiders are more menacing looking but just as harmless as the house spider. The female is 3/8 to 1 3/8 inches long, and the male comes in at 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch. They are mostly dark brown with pale markings or stripes.
• Brown recluse: The brown recluse is light or dark brown and is known for the dark violin-shaped mark on their back; however, not all brown recluse spiders have that marking. They’re 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch long with long, thin legs.
• Black widow: The black widow is famous for the red hourglass shape on the underside of its abdomen. Females tend to be 1 1/2 to 1 3/8 inches long, and their male counterparts are typically smaller.

The latter two spiders have more potent venom, and extreme caution should be taken when seen. Thankfully, they are much rarer than most spiders you’ll come across in your house.

Some Spider Bites Are More Dangerous Than Others

All spiders have venom, but very few of them are dangerous to humans. Most spider bites will result in no more than a slightly painful sting and a red welt. You may not even notice you were bitten at all. There are highly venomous spiders in Tennessee, like the black widow and the brown recluse, but they are more rarely encountered.

If bitten by a black widow, you will almost immediately feel a sharp pain, and that pain will increase in severity for several hours. Common symptoms are sweating, an increase in blood pressure, fever, and nausea. If you experience these symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention.

The brown recluse bite is also usually felt right away, and the pain can become intense with time. The bite spot will tend to swell, and a blister may soon appear. The venom kills the surrounding tissue and can continue to eat away at the area for up to two weeks. Again, it is very important to see a physician at the earliest possible time.

Five Effective Spider Prevention Tips For Your Home

Spiders can be difficult to eliminate once they infest your home, but there are methods of preventing them in the first place. Here are some natural ways to keep spiders away from your home:

1. Try incorporating vinegar into your cleaning routine. Spiders are extremely sensitive to the smell and taste of acetic acid in vinegar.
2. Some essential oils that repel spiders have shown promise to be moderately effective. Citronella, lavender, and eucalyptus are some of the scents commonly used.
3. Spiders are also rumored to have a dislike for citrus fruits. Fruit bowls on the kitchen counter or peels spread out on a window sill may deter these eight-legged creatures.
4. Good housekeeping and maintaining an organized house help to deter spiders, along with many other household pests.
5. Check your windows and doors for a tight seal to help eliminate ways for spiders to enter your home.

These are just a few of the tips used as spider prevention measures. Some may work better than others, but none is a guarantee to keep a spider infestation from occurring.

Professional Pest Control Is A Great Spider Control Solution

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, spiders seem to keep coming back. Utilizing a professional pest control company as a spider control solution is one of the best ways to ensure success. The highly trained technicians here at Chief Termite & Pest Control have the experience and knowledge to eradicate any spider issues you may come across.