Spiders in Byran Texas and College Station
Texas is a big state and it is home to over 900 species of spiders, of which only three are known to be dangerous to humans. Those three are the Black Widow, Brown Recluse, and the Hobo Spider, which is a recent import from Europe. That means that somewhere around 897 species of spiders found in Texas are not likely going to kill you. However, many spider bites are painful. So, what do you do about spiders?
Spiders are creepy, and our response to them is somewhat insane. Arachnophobia is the fear of spiders, and it seems to be a base response. Why do we freak out when we see a spider, but not when we see a moth or a butterfly? That fear is likely something that we inherited from our ancestors as part of the many things that helped them to survive.
The thing about spiders is that they are not out to hunt us. When a spider bites us, it is 100 percent out of defense. Brown Recluse spider bites often occur when we put on clothing in which they are living or hiding. Pressed up against us by the fabric, they bite trying to defend themselves. Black Widow spider bites occur when we go riffling through boxes and things that we have not touched for a long period of time such as piles of brush, boxes in the garage, etc. The Hobo spider is much the same. However, nobody wants to live with spiders – not inside your home, not in your garage, certainly not in your clothing, and not outside either. So, what do you do?
Controlling Spiders
Keep it Clean: The best way to keep spiders out of your house is to clean it regularly. As mentioned, black widow spiders like to nest in places that are not disturbed often. They have a small range, once they build a web and they tend to stay there. They do not see well, which is why their webs are so strong and sticky. Get rid of the mess, and you will likely never see a black widow spider in your home.
Keep your yard trimmed and free of clutter such as brush piles, stacks of lumbers, pallets, etc. If you must store things, make sure that they are sealed carefully in bags and preferable bags that are light colored so that you can easily see if there is a spider on the bag.
Reduce Insect Populations: Spiders feed on insects so make sure that your home is not a haven for insects. Flies, cockroach, moths, etc., are all delectable spider snacks. No food, no spiders, that should be your motto.
Keep Window Screens Repaired: Make sure that your window screens are in good repair. Damaged window screens are one of the main ways that spiders get into homes. Also, check the moving parts of your home – doors, and windows. Spiders have no problem crawling into cracks, and when it starts to get cold, they look for cracks and crevice’s in which to overwinter.
If you need help handling spiders in or around your home, reach out to our professionals. We are happy to answer questions about chemical and non-chemical means to control spiders.
