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Spiders

What are spiders?

Spiders are eight-legged arthropods, which means they have exoskeletons, segmented bodies, and paired, jointed legs. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all orders of organisms.

Although there are thousands of species of spiders, two that commonly end up in Utah homes are cellar spiders and wolf spiders.

Cellar spiders

Cellar spiders are also known as daddy longlegs because of their long, thin legs. Their bodies look small in comparison and usually grow to about 1/4 of an inch long. Cellar spiders are usually a light shade of tan, gray, or yellow.

Wolf spiders

Unlike cellar spiders, wolf spiders are dark and substantial-looking. Females can grow to almost an inch and a half in length while males are usually smaller. With hairy bodies and thick legs, they can look quite threatening when you come across them.

Are spiders dangerous?

Wolf spiders can bite if provoked, but will rarely do so for no reason. Cellar spiders are not known to bite. There is a myth that they would be the deadliest spider if their mouths were big enough to bite humans, but no research supports that claim. Although neither of these spiders is dangerous, they can be a nuisance when they get into your home. Cellar spiders will build unsightly webs everywhere and wolf spiders will cause unnecessary fear when seen.

Why do I have a spider problem?

As their name suggests, cellar spiders prefer to live in areas like cellars that tend to have higher moisture levels than other areas. It’s also common to find them in sheds, garages, and other similar buildings. If you have an area in your home that tends to be more humid than normal, you may end up with cellar spiders. Wolf spiders don’t typically try to live indoors but, since they hunt for prey instead of waiting for food to come to them, they may enter your home while looking for a meal. Once inside, wolf spiders will often stay.

Where will I find spiders?

Cellar spiders prefer dark, damp areas of your home. If you have a basement, you’ll often find them there, but they can also be found in other areas, such as storage rooms or bathrooms. Wolf spiders could end up anywhere in your home, but they tend to stay close to floor level. You may see them on the wall or under furniture.

 

How do I get rid of spiders?

Spiders lay dozens of eggs at a time, so if you have a small infestation now, it could quickly turn into a larger problem. The best way to eliminate spiders from your home is to get a professional pest control treatment. Pickett Pest Control can take care of your spider problem in no time. Contact Pickett today!

How can I prevent spiders in the future?

There are a few things you can do to keep spiders from getting into your home:

  • Seal all cracks in your foundation.

  • Look for gaps around window casings and caulk them.

  • Repair holes in your siding.

  • Repair any screens that have tears or holes.

  • Keep moisture levels low in your house.

  • Make sure you don’t have an insect problem in your home. Spiders are more likely to enter your house if it provides a steady food source.