If you suffer from arachnophobia, the fear of spiders, you probably won’t want to hear this, but spiders are one of the most common household pests in New England. However, you will be happy to know that most of the spiders in our area are harmless, with the exception of black widow spiders and brown recluse spiders that are often brought to our area inadvertently.
Black widow spiders get brought to Connecticut and Massachusetts in trucks and boxes, especially those used in shipping fruits and vegetables. From there, these spiders often find their way into grocery stores, homes, and other places. Inside homes, black widow spiders usually seek shelter in dark, secluded locations like in closets, basements, and garages. When outdoors, these spiders like to live under rocks and in storage sheds or barns. Though male black widow spiders are relatively harmless, female black widows have venom that is extremely potent and can make you very sick. These spiders are not very aggressive, however, and will only bite if they are disturbed or feel threatened. These bites will look like a pinprick at first but as time passes, the site will begin to hurt and swell. Black widow bites can also cause symptoms such as body aches, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and headaches. If you or one of your family members think they have been bitten by a black widow, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Brown recluse spiders will also travel to the area in moving vans, household furnishings, or other goods coming in from other states, especially from the south-central region of the Midwest. These spiders prefer to live in dark areas and can often be found outdoors in piles of rocks, wood, or leaves. Indoors, they will be attracted to basements, attics, and closets. Much like the black widow, brown recluse spiders will only bite if they feel threatened; a bite from this spider may only sting a little bit initially, but after a few hours, it will become more painful and look like a bruise or a blister. After a day or two, the site of the wound may begin to look crusty and the skin may become necrotic. As with the black widow, if you have been bitten by a brown recluse spider, get medical attention right away.
House spiders are a nuisance and create unsightly webs on your ceilings, walls, and corners. In homes, these spiders can be found underneath furniture and appliances, lurking in basements and attics, or hiding around cluttered porches and decks. The main reason you may be experiencing a house spider infestation is that there are other pests that spiders like to feed on invading your home as well as the man attractant for spiders is food.
Whether your New England home is infested with spiders already or you are looking to prevent them, you will need the assistance of a professional pest control company like American Pest Solutions in Massachusetts and Connecticut! Our year-round services can help eliminate the insects that spiders are attracted to as well as get rid of your spider problems. Our knowledgeable technicians have the experience and tools needed to tackle your spider problems through our Pest Guard Home Protection Program. Call us today to find out how we can help you eliminate pest problems in your home and on your property!