Many people suffer from arachnophobia, which is the fear of spiders. There are over 50,000 different species of spiders. All of them have eight legs, and most of them have eight eyes. Their unique appearance and impressive ability to crawl into various crevices of your home can make them seem quite frightening to some people.
Even if you are not afraid of spiders, you should still seek the help of a professional pest control company if you suddenly see more spiders in your home. At Miche Pest Control, we understand that not all spiders are scary, but they could indicate that you have a bigger problem on your hands.
What Attracts Spiders To My Home?
Spiders are typically drawn to homes in search of food, shelter, and a suitable environment for survival. Here are seven key factors that might attract spiders to your home:
1. Presence of Other Insects (Food Source)
Spiders feed on insects like flies, mosquitoes, ants, and other small bugs. If your home has an infestation of these pests, spiders will naturally follow to hunt them.
Solution: Keep your home free of insects by sealing entry points, keeping food sealed, and using pest control measures.
2. Cluttered or Undisturbed Areas
Spiders prefer dark, quiet spaces where they won’t be disturbed. Piles of boxes, stored items, or cluttered corners provide ideal hiding spots.
Solution: Regularly declutter and clean storage areas, basements, attics, and garages.
3. Warmth and Moisture
Some spider species are attracted to warm and humid environments, while others prefer dry, undisturbed spaces. Areas like basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces with excess moisture can be particularly inviting.
Solution: Use dehumidifiers, fix leaks, and improve ventilation to reduce moisture levels.
4. Outdoor Vegetation Close to the Home
Overgrown plants, bushes, or piles of wood near your home’s exterior can serve as shelters for spiders, which may eventually find their way inside.
Solution: Keep vegetation trimmed and avoid stacking firewood or debris near your home’s walls.
5. Open Entry Points
Cracks in walls, gaps around doors and windows, or openings in vents provide easy access for spiders.
Solution: Seal cracks, install weather stripping, and use fine mesh screens over vents and windows.
6. Outdoor Lighting
While spiders aren’t attracted to light directly, outdoor lights draw in insects, which in turn attract spiders looking for food.
Solution: Use yellow or sodium vapor lights that attract fewer insects, or keep outdoor lights off when not needed.
7. Dark, Unused Spaces
Places like attic corners, basements, under furniture, and storage spaces offer safe spots for spiders to build webs and lay eggs.
Solution: Regularly dust, vacuum, and move furniture to prevent spiders from settling in.
What Are Spiders Good For?
While spiders may look scary, they actually play an important role in our ecosystem, and they can be useful to have around. Spiders like to eat various insects, which include worms, snails, and cockroaches. Some of these insects are capable of spreading diseases and viruses to you and your family if they come into your home. So, if you see a spider in your home, it might help to keep you safe from other insects.
Spiders are also beneficial to other animals as well. For instance, some birds will use old spider webs to help bind their nest together. Some species of birds also like to eat spiders and will snack on various types of spiders that are found around your property.
Does Killing A Spider Attract More Spiders?
Spiders like to eat insects and will occasionally eat other spiders as well. However, they like to have their meals still alive when they catch them. Technically, a dead spider does not attract other spiders. However, if a spider carcass stays in one location for an extended period of time, it could attract other insects. The insects that come to eat the dead spider could attract live spiders.
If you see a dead spider or you kill a spider in your home, make sure to remove it as soon as possible to ensure that it doesn't attract other bugs to the area.
What's The Best Way To Get Rid Of Spiders In My House?
If you are seeing spiders in your home, you should have it inspected by a professional to ensure that you don't have a secondary infestation or another problem. Give us a call today to see how we can help get rid of spiders and make your home pest-free.