Halloween is the time of year when we celebrate creepy crawlies and all the things that go bump in the night. While spiders fit in well with this spooky theme, and lots of people who decorate for this delightfully scary time of the year use fake spiders in their efforts, not many are willing to welcome real spiders into their homes. Here’s what you need to know to keep these eight-legged guests from taking up residence in your home.

Spider Basics

There are tens of thousands of species of spiders in the world. While their appearances and behaviors can vary greatly from species to species, all spiders are arachnids with two body segments, eight legs and multiple pairs of eyes. Virtually all spiders are predators, but they lack the ability to chew. Instead, they use digestive enzymes in their saliva to break down their food before they consume it.

How Spiders Gain Entry

Spiders generally gain entry into your home in one of two ways. When seeking prey, they may crawl in on their own through small gaps in your home’s building envelope. Common entry points include windows or doors that are poorly screened and small cracks in window casings and door frames. Spiders can also get inside homes when an object they are on or in is transported inside your home. These small arachnids can easily hitch a ride on a package, letter, blanket, bag or similar item when it is carried indoors.

Where Spiders Lurk

Once inside, spiders lurk in various locations. Some choose to linger in windows, basements and crawlspaces. Others prefer attics, air vents, clutter and the upper corners of rooms.

Spiders That You Might See

In southeast Texas, the spider you are most likely to find yourself sharing space with is the common southern house spider. With long, slender legs and yellow or tan bodies that often have spots, southern house spiders don’t bite, but these pests can be annoying as they scurry throughout your home. Unfortunately, other species can be even more troublesome. The black widow and the brown recluse are venomous spiders, and both species have been known to find their way indoors. Black widows have hourglass-shaped markings in orange or red on their abdomen; they favor locations that are isolated and dark. Brown recluse spiders have marks on their heads that resemble violins. These pests are not fond of building webs; instead, they take cover beneath clutter.

Eliminating a spider infestation can be incredibly difficult, so your best strategy is to call a pest control professional. A local, family-owned business, Hart Pest Control has been providing top-quality pest control services to our community since 1969. The dedicated members of our team have well over a century of combined experience, and we take great pleasure in putting our knowledge and expertise to work for the people who live and work in Texas’ Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend counties. If spiders or other pests are causing problems in your home, don’t wait. Call Hart Pest Control for a free estimate today.