Spider Control in Eastern North Carolina

Spiders are among the most diverse and abundant creatures in North Carolina, offering both benefits and challenges for homeowners. While many people are wary of spiders, these arachnids play a critical role in controlling insect populations and contributing to the ecological balance. However, some species can be unwelcome visitors inside homes or pose risks to health and comfort. In this article, we will explore the different kinds of spiders found in North Carolina, provide a short description of each, and discuss the best ways for homeowners to control them. Whether you are looking to identify a spider or find out how to keep your home spider-free, this guide is for you.

1. Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans)

• Description: The Black Widow is one of the most infamous spiders in North Carolina, recognized by its shiny black body and red hourglass marking on the underside of its abdomen. Females are larger, measuring about 1.5 inches including the leg span, while males are smaller and less venomous.
• Habitat: They prefer dark, secluded areas such as woodpiles, basements, garages, and outdoor sheds.
• Control Tips:
  • Regularly inspect and clear out storage areas.
  • Keep firewood and other debris away from the home.
  • Use sealants to close off gaps and cracks in foundations and walls.
• Risks: While bites are rare, they can be painful and, in some cases, medically significant, causing symptoms like muscle pain, cramps, and fever. Immediate medical attention is advised in the event of a bite.

2. Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa)

• Description: The Brown Recluse is light to dark brown with a distinct violin-shaped marking on its back, just behind the head. They range in size from about 0.25 to 0.75 inches.
• Habitat: This spider often hides in undisturbed areas like closets, attics, and under furniture.
• Control Tips:
  • Keep clutter to a minimum, especially in storage areas.
  • Use sticky traps in areas where Brown Recluses are suspected.
  • Seal cracks around doors, windows, and baseboards.
• Risks: Brown Recluse bites can cause significant tissue damage, leading to open sores that take a long time to heal. While they are not aggressive, they will bite if they feel threatened, making it important to exercise caution when working in areas where they might be present.

3. Wolf Spider (Lycosidae family)

• Description: Wolf spiders are large, robust, and hairy, often mistaken for tarantulas. They are brown or gray with varying patterns, and they can range from 0.5 to 2 inches in size.
• Habitat: They are ground dwellers, frequently found under rocks, logs, and leaf litter, but they may also wander indoors.
• Control Tips:
  • Maintain a tidy yard and remove leaf litter and debris.
  • Ensure window screens are intact and doors fit tightly.
  • Regularly vacuum areas where spiders may enter.
• Risks: Although their large size and swift movements can be alarming, Wolf Spiders are not dangerous to humans. They may bite if provoked, but their venom is not harmful.

4. Jumping Spiders (Salticidae family)

• Description: Jumping spiders are small, compact, and brightly colored with iridescent markings. They have a distinctive jerky movement and excellent vision, with large front eyes.
• Habitat: They are often found on walls, ceilings, and windowsills indoors, as well as on plants and structures outdoors.
• Control Tips:
  • Use insect screens on windows and doors.
  • Regularly clean window sills and baseboards.
  • Reduce outdoor lighting at night to minimize the insects that attract spiders.
• Risks: Jumping spiders are harmless and do not pose a threat to humans. Their curiosity and unique movement make them more of a fascinating find than a cause for concern.

5. Orb-Weaver Spiders (Araneidae family)

• Description: Orb-weavers are known for their intricate, spiral-shaped webs. They come in various colors and sizes, from small and camouflaged to large and brightly colored. Common species include the Yellow Garden Spider and the Barn Spider.
• Habitat: They prefer outdoor spaces like gardens, eaves, and forested areas, where they build their webs to catch insects.
• Control Tips:
  • Regularly remove webs from doorways and around the home.
  • Trim back vegetation that may serve as a foundation for webs.
  • Use a broom or a vacuum to remove spiders and their webs from entry points.
• Risks: Orb-weavers are not dangerous to humans and are beneficial for controlling garden pests. They rarely bite, and their venom is mild.

6. House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)

• Description: The common house spider is small, with a yellowish-brown body and darker markings. They spin messy, tangled webs in corners and are typically less than 0.5 inches long.
• Habitat: They are most often found indoors, in attics, basements, and under furniture.
• Control Tips:
  • Regular vacuuming and dusting can help remove webs and egg sacs.
  • Use caulk to seal gaps around windows, doors, and foundations.
  • Keep food and crumbs cleaned up to discourage other insects that house spiders feed on.
• Risks: These spiders pose no real danger to humans. They are more of a nuisance when they appear in large numbers indoors.

7. Fishing Spider (Dolomedes species)

• Description: Fishing spiders are large, often measuring up to 3 inches with their legs spread. They are typically gray or brown with lighter bands around their legs.
• Habitat: These spiders are often found near bodies of water like ponds, lakes, and streams, but they can also wander into homes near such environments.
• Control Tips:
  • Repair any leaks or damp areas around the home to make it less inviting.
  • Keep outdoor lighting to a minimum to reduce the insect population.
  • Use weather stripping on windows and doors to block entry.
• Risks: Despite their size, fishing spiders are not dangerous to humans. They are more likely to flee than to bite if disturbed.

8. Yellow Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium species)

• Description: Yellow sac spiders are pale yellow to light green, with a body size of about 0.2 to 0.4 inches. They do not spin webs but create silk sacs in hidden places for resting.
• Habitat: They can be found inside homes, hiding in corners, behind picture frames, and within folded fabrics.
• Control Tips:
  • Vacuum regularly, especially in corners and hidden areas.
  • Shake out clothing and linens that have been stored for a while.
  • Seal up any cracks in walls, windows, and ceilings.

9. Cellar Spider (Pholcus phalangioides)

• Description: Commonly known as “daddy long-legs,” cellar spiders have long, thin legs and small bodies. They are pale brown or gray and build loose, tangled webs.
• Habitat: They thrive in damp, dark areas like basements, crawl spaces, and cellars.
• Control Tips:
  • Dehumidify basements and attics to create a less hospitable environment.
  • Sweep and vacuum corners where webs are present.
  • Remove webs and egg sacs to reduce populations over time.

10. Crab Spider (Thomisidae family)

• Description: Crab spiders have a unique, crab-like appearance and often have brightly colored bodies. They are typically small, around 0.2 to 0.4 inches in size, and use camouflage to ambush prey.
• Habitat: Found in gardens and on flowers, where they wait for insects to come close.
• Control Tips:
  • Maintain regular pruning of garden plants.
  • Remove dead plant material that could harbor insects and spiders.
  • Use natural predators, like ladybugs, to manage garden pests.

Spider Prevention Strategies for Homeowners

Preventing spiders in and around the home is often a matter of reducing their access to food, shelter, and entry points. Here are some general tips that can help control spider populations:

1. Seal Entry Points: Spiders can enter through small gaps around windows, doors, vents, and plumbing. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal these areas.
2. Reduce Outdoor Lighting: Lights attract insects, which in turn attract spiders. Consider using yellow or sodium vapor lights outdoors, which are less attractive to insects.
3. Keep a Tidy Home: Regular cleaning can remove spider webs, egg sacs, and reduce clutter where spiders might hide.
5. Trim Vegetation: Keep plants and shrubs trimmed away from the home’s foundation to reduce shelter for spiders.
6. Professional Pest Control: For persistent problems, consider hiring a pest control professional who can apply spider-specific treatments and provide expert advice.

North Carolina is home to a diverse range of spider species, each contributing to a balanced ecosystem. While many of these spiders are harmless and even helpful, some can become unwelcome guests or pose health risks to homeowners. By learning about the traits of common spider species and taking proactive measures for prevention and control, homeowners can keep their spaces spider-free while appreciating these creatures’ ecological value. Through regular cleaning, sealing entry points, or simply understanding how to coexist, managing spiders can be straightforward. Follow the tips in this guide to keep your home comfortable and spider-free, while respecting the important role spiders play in our environment. Happy homeownership, and may your space remain free of unwanted spiders!

For complete a complete spider treatment call D & D Pest Control Co. (252)523-8255 for a free estimate