House Spider 101: Things To Know About Spider Control In The Bay Area

Spiders are one of the most feared creatures in the world. If you live in The Bay Area, chances are you’ve seen your fair share of these creepy crawlers. Spiders are common here and are an integral part of our ecosystem. They eat insects, forming a vital part of the food chain. However, they can become a nuisance when they invade our homes and build their webs inside. They can cause stress and anxiety and make your house look and feel dirty. Some spiders can even bite humans, which is a serious concern. It's generally agreed that spiders are unwelcome house guests and require Bay Area pest control.

If you've been seeing more of these arachnids than you're comfortable with in your Bay Area home, Bay Pest can help. We offer pest control services to keep your home free of unwanted spiders. For over 40 years, we've been helping homes in The Bay Area stay pest-free, and we can help you too. Contact us today to get started with a free estimate.

The Ten Most Common House Spiders

There are many different types of spiders found in The Bay Area. Some are similar in appearance, and it can be challenging to identify one when it's skittering across your wall. However, some key characteristics can help you distinguish between the different types of spiders. Here are ten of the most common household spiders likely to invade your home in the Bay Area:

• Black Widow Spiders: The black widow spider shape is like a tiny violin, with a large red hourglass on its abdomen. The black widow spider is considered to be a highly venomous spider and has a dangerous bite. You should never attempt to pick up a black widow spider or approach one if you see it. Instead, you should contact an exterminator if this spider has entered your home.
• Wolf Spiders: These brown spiders got their name from hunting down their prey rather than catching them in webs. They can be intimidating due to their large size and hairy bodies. However, they are not harmful to humans.
• Banded Garden Spiders: As their name implies, they have a black and white band on their abdomen and are most likely to build their webs outdoors. They pose no threat to humans and can even be helpful by eliminating garden pests.
• California Trapdoor Spiders: They get their name because they live in a burrow they construct. While they're most likely to hang out outside, they may wander into your home when looking for a mate.
• Orb Weaver Spiders: You can identify the orb weaver spider by the distinct orb-shaped web they create. They are usually yellowish or reddish-brown in color. 
• Daddy Longlegs: They are so named because their legs are longer than the rest of their body. You can identify daddy longlegs by their distinctly long legs and the fact that their abdomen is small.
• Cellar Spiders: You usually see these tan or gray spiders in dark areas such as closets and basements. They have small bodies and extremely long legs, longer than daddy longlegs. They like building their webs in dark corners of basements, crawl spaces, and garages and shaking them when disturbed.
• Jumping Spiders: There are more than 300 species of these small spiders, and the easiest way to identify them is by their large eyes in the front of their head. They don't build webs, and they got their name from their ability to jump up to 20 times their body length.
• Yellow Sac Spiders: These spiders build a sac-like structure which they hide in during the day while they come out to hunt and night. They are typically pale yellow and often hang in the top corners of your walls.
• Grass Spiders: These brown spiders are often confused with brown recluse spiders. However, you can tell them apart by the long spinnerets at the end of their abdomen, which brown recluse spiders do not have. You're most likely to find them outside your home, though they sometimes find their way indoors.

If you're having an issue with any spider in your home or want help identifying them, contact our experts at Bay Pest. Residents of The Bay Area have trusted us for over 40 years to eliminate the many spiders plaguing our homes here. We use safe, effective products and methods to get rid of spiders in your home. Call us today for a free estimate of our services. 

Spider 101: Identifying What Spider Is In Your House

Many species of spiders in the area are harmless, but others are known to be dangerous, such as the black widow and brown recluse. While it can be challenging to remember all the different types of spiders in The Bay Area, it's crucial to identify these dangerous spiders and know what to do if you encounter one.

As we mentioned, the brown recluse spider and the black widow spider are two species in The Bay Area that pose a serious threat to humans. You can identify a black widow spider by its black, shiny abdomen, which features a red hourglass shape. A brown recluse spider will have a brown body with a dark brown violin shape on its cephalothorax and six eyes in spaced pairs. 

If you see either of these spiders in or near your home, it's best to avoid approaching them. Instead, call a pest control professional like Bay Pest. We're experts at home defense for spiders. We'll be able to identify the spider, safely remove it, and provide you with pest control services to prevent future invasions. Call us today to get started.

Do All Spiders Bite Humans?

Did you know that all spiders have venom? They use venom to kill their prey before they eat it. However, most of them do not have a potent venom to cause serious harm to humans. The most dangerous spiders in The Bay Area are the black widow and the brown recluse, both of which have a bite that can have profound effects.

Many people don’t even realize that a spider has bitten them, and many of the symptoms associated with spider bites are mistaken for other health issues. But there is a way to tell if you have a spider bite and what to do about it. The first thing to do is to look at your skin. If you see any redness, swelling, or bleeding, it could signify that a spider has bitten you. If you see any of these things, you should wash your hands immediately with soap and water and apply an antiseptic. You should also try to see if you can identify what kind of spider bit you.

If you experience any symptoms, such as pain, a rash, itching, or difficulty breathing, you should seek medical attention immediately. Additionally, if you believe the spider that bit, you was a black widow or a brown recluse, this is another reason to seek medical attention. 

If you'd like to protect your home from all spiders, consider regular pest control services from the experts at Bay Pest. We can help you get rid of the spiders in your house, so you don't have to worry about being bitten.

The Key To Keeping Spiders Out Of Your Home

Spiders can become a big problem in your home if you let them. What are the best practices for keeping them out of your home? Here are a few practical tips to get rid of spiders naturally:

• Remove their insect prey: If you see spiders hunting for their dinner, you should try to remove their food source. Most spiders live off insects, so you may need to remove the insects from your home first to keep the spiders away.
• Get rid of clutter: If you see spiders building webs in the house, you might also notice much clutter. This clutter could hide many spider webs, which is why getting rid of it is so important.
• Vacuum and sweep: If you don’t vacuum or sweep your house regularly, you’ll want to start doing so once a week; this will help remove any spiders still lurking in the house.
• Install mesh screens on windows: This will help keep spiders out of the house and other smaller pests.

If you're still having trouble with spiders in your home, it's time to call in the professionals. Bay Pest has proudly served The Bay Area for over 40 years. We are experts at identifying and removing pests and have helped thousands of homeowners eliminate them. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help keep your home spider-free.