It’s Spider Season

Despite the fact that spiders play a beneficial role in our environment, arachnophobia (the fear of spiders) is more common than any other kind of phobia. Unfortunately for the people of east Tennessee, spiders are considered a year-round pest and can be found in homes during any season and in the midst of any weather conditions. Let’s go over the basics of what you need to know if you’re finding spiders in your home, particularly because early September is when we at Russell’s start to get more phone calls about indoor spiders.

First of all, DON’T PANIC! No one likes to be startled by a large spider somewhere unexpected, but there are very few spiders in Tennessee that can deliver a bite even as powerful as a bee sting. And, despite their bad reputation, only a few spiders are considered aggressive. Many wouldn’t bite you even if you tried to provoke them (this, of course, doesn’t change the fact that you should never provoke what you can’t identify).

Spiders aren’t like roaches; they don’t move indoors just because they like it there. All spiders are predators, which means if you’re finding spiders in your house, it’s because there are already other small bugs there that can provide a food source for your eight-legged friends. The trick, then, is to get rid of the food source and make your home uninviting for a hungry spider.

Keep exterior doors closed. Caulk around your windows so that cracks don’t offer convenient entry points for small pests; this will also help lower your bills so you’re not air conditioning or heating the outdoors. Check your window screens. You need to be sure you’re not leaving holes for unwanted guests when you let in that sweet autumn air. Replace weather-stripping and seals around doors if needed, particularly since overhangs at the back door are a common place for spiders to set up shop.

Try some of these tips to keep your home spider-free in September. And, if the spiders are still more than you can handle, remember Russell’s offers convenient pest control services that can take care of most common house spiders. We’ll even knock down their webs.