Many people suffer from arachnophobia, an extreme fear of spiders. But even if you don’t have a clinical fear of spiders, not many people would actually choose to live among these creatures. Yet house spiders are very common in the Nashville area. Indigenous to Tennessee are wolf spiders, cellar spiders, American house spiders, the brown recluse and Southern Black Widow.

Most homes have house spiders at least sometimes and in some parts of the property. Usually they dwell in basements, attics, crawlspaces, and other dark, damp spaces. Let’s talk about the common house guest so you know what attracts them and how to get rid of them. It’s always best to hire a Nashville spider exterminator to add the most efficient value to your task.

Facts About House Spiders

American house spiders are found all over the country and are most often found in – you guessed it – homes. They like:

• Secluded spaces – areas that haven’t been cleaned in a while
• Peace and quiet – these non-confrontational creatures just want to be left alone
• Moisture – water is essential to their survival
• Other pests – spiders offer natural pest control because they eat other small pests that are in your home

House spiders are gray or dull brown in color, measuring 6mm long at the body – a bit over an inch when you consider leg span. They have a striped pattern on their legs and a spherical pattern on their abdomen.

These spiders can live anywhere and survive in a variety of environments. Mostly, they prefer dark, undisturbed areas, along with odor-free environments. But when desperate, all they really need is food and water.

You’ll find them:

• High up in corners
• Closets
• Crawl spaces
• Basements
• Attics
• Garages

These offer great out-of-the-way locations to lay egg sacs without getting disturbed.

Why Do Spiders Come Into Your Home in Summer?

When the weather warms up, spiders head inside to find moisture, a cool spot to live, and a mate. You may find many webs throughout your home, as spiders will abandon one web and move to the next if that location isn’t abundant in food.

Diet of Spiders

Sensitive to vibrations, spiders can tell the difference between a moth, fly and other insects getting caught in their web. This sense will tell them if the prey is something they want to eat or if they should release it. If something large and threatening has disturbed the web, the spider will stay hidden or retreat.

House spiders serve a big purpose in a home – they eat other insects that are more dangerous or pesky, such as mosquitoes and flies. Think of spiders as free pest control.

The Danger Level of House Spiders

Bites from most species of spiders don’t pose a serious health threat. Usually, the most you’ll get is a raised, red bump. Just wash the area with warm water and soap, and keep a cool compress on it. But if you experience pain, abdominal cramping, or discoloration of the area, seek medical attention.

Getting Rid of House Spiders

You’ll want to make your home as uninviting as possible to these and other pests. When you ensure a pest-free home, spiders won’t have an easy food source and will hopefully leave.

You can stop spiders from getting inside in the first place by blocking entry points around the perimeter. Keep window screens intact and make sure your doors close properly and have a tight seal. Check for cracks, crevices or holes around your foundation, and seal gaps around plumbing and dryer vents.

Clear cobwebs as you find them, and vacuum frequently. Keep a clean house and wipe up spills and crumbs immediately.

Nashville Spider Exterminators

If your Nashville home is plagued with common house spiders, or their more sinister cousins, contact us at 615-502-2855. Rely on our trained Title Nashville spider exterminators to rid you of your problem in no time.