Home and business owners, especially those with Arachnaphobia, understand how important regular spider control is for their home or business. Arachnaphobia is one of the most common fears for people. For the most part, spiders are harmless, but their bites can be painful, and sometimes even deadly. We take the ProActive approach to spider control and maintenance, and protect your home year-round!
All About Spiders
Spiders are classified as arthropods, which have 8 legs and two distinct body segments, the cephalothorax, and the abdomen. The two parts are connected by a small cylindrical section called the pedicil. Spiders are distinct from insects, due to having 2 more legs and 1 less body segment. They have spinnerets that shoot silk to build webs. Their mouthparts are called Chelicerae, which includes fangs that can inject venom. Spiders are the largest order of arachnids, with over 48,000 species found on every continent, except Antarctica. Almost all Spiders are predatory and feed on small insects, other spiders, and larger species prey on small birds or rodents. Where spiders are found depends on the species. Many spiders prefer damp, dark places that are often untouched by human hands.
Common Spiders in Illinois
There are over 500 spider species found in Illinois. Most species are not dangerous, but there are venomous species in Illinois, such as the Black Widow and Brown Recluse. Some of the most common spider species found in Illinois include:
- Crab Spiders are most often found outdoors on plants and flowers. They are brighter colored, to blend in with flowers.
- Orb Weaver Spiders are large colorful spiders that build webs on tall vegetation, porches, barns, and other structures.
- Jumping Spiders are the cutest spider species, with a very small body and noticeable eyes. They have excellent vision for hunting prey.
- Wolf Spiders have hair on their body and can be up to 1” in length. They are often found under rocks, logs, and vegetation.
- Funnel Web Spiders are often found in vegetation and bushes. They spin funnel-shaped webs to conceal themselves from prey.
- Cellar Spiders are commonly called “Daddy Long Legs”. They are often found in cellars, basements, and on ceilings/corners.
- Sac Spiders are named due to the sac-like web structures they spin to conceal themselves from prey. They are a pale-yellow color and are smaller than the size of a quarter. Their harmless bites are one of the most common spider bites in the United States.
- Brown Recluse Spiders can be dangerous, but they are reclusive and not aggressive by nature. Bites may produce redness, swelling, and necrosis can occur but is only found in less than 10% of bites.
How Spiders Build Webs
On the abdomen of spiders are short spinnerets, which are used to spin silk webs. Each spinneret has many spigots attached to each silk gland. There are at least 6 silk glands that will produce different silks. Spider silk is mostly composed of protein. Not all species build webs, but all spider species produce silk to catch prey. The types of webs spiders can create are orb, cobwebs, and other irregular webs. Oftentimes, spiders will create a new web every day.
Spider Prevention Tips
Due to their reclusive nature, spiders are considered a maintenance pest. They are best prevented with ongoing pest control performed each season. In addition to regular pest control treatments, there are several ways to help prevent spiders, including:
- Inspect your exterior perimeter for small gaps or cracks in the foundation, siding, vents, pipes, windows, or doors. Seal off with an appropriate sealant.
- Peppermint and/or lavender oil on a cotton ball – place under sinks, in closets, and crawl spaces.
- Year-round structural pest control from a service professional, who understands how to target spiders, where they hide
Take the ProActive Approach to Spider Control
Here at ProActive Pest Management, we’re the #1 choice in the western Chicago suburbs for local, safe spider control. We get ahead of spider problems, by addressing them every season. Give our office a call at (630) 451-8101 for a free quote, from a friendly member of our customer service team.