There are few pests in Tampa, Florida that upset homeowners more than spiders. While spiders aren’t generally as dangerous as they seem, they are still very unpleasant to encounter both because of their appearance and their ability to bite. However, most spiders in the area are harmless and are mostly just nuisance pests.
The truth is that all spiders have venom and fangs that they use when hunting their prey, but most species don’t have potent enough venom to harm people. There are a couple of exceptions to this in the United States, however, as the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider are considered medically significant to humans.
Guide To Tampa Spiders
Luckily, most spiders you encounter in or around your property aren't going to hurt you, and they usually aren’t aggressive either. To help you identify spiders and be able to tell the harmless species from the more dangerous ones, we've put together a brief guide to spiders in the area.
- Black widow spiders: This species is a jet black color with a red hourglass marking on their underbellies. They have rather round, bulbous bodies.
- Jumping spiders: These spiders can jump to catch prey. They come in a range of colors and patterns, so the best way to identify them is by this behavior or by their eyes which are arranged in two rows of four.
- Brown recluse spiders: This species can look similar to many other spiders, but you can identify them by the lack of markings on their legs and the violin-shaped mark behind their heads.
- Southern house spiders: This is a harmless species of spider that ranges from brown to black in color. Their bodies are typically covered in fine hair.
Why Do Spiders Come Indoors?
Many pests come into homes because they are looking for shelter from the weather or to create nests, but spiders come inside in search of prey. Therefore, most spider infestations are caused by another underlying pest problem that is attracting them.
Spiders get inside in many different ways including through broken screens, under doors, or through imperfections in the walls or foundation. They can slip through even tiny cracks. If you’ve noticed an influx of spiders, regardless of the species, you likely have smaller insects, too.
How Can You Prevent Spiders?
Because spiders are attracted to pest prey, the best way to prevent spiders is to take steps to prevent other pest problems, too. These five simple steps can make it harder for spiders and their prey to get inside and will also make your property less appealing to them:
- Keep pests from getting inside by fixing broken screens and installing door sweeps and weather stripping.
- Make sure to keep kitchen areas cleaned as many pests, like ants, are attracted to food and drink spills.
- Store firewood at least 30 feet away from your home as this is a common area where black widow spiders hide.
- Seal up any cracks or holes in the walls and foundation.
- Keep garbage cans secured with lids and take out the trash often.
The Number One Best Spider Prevention Tip
After you’ve taken steps to keep spiders out, the best and most effective way to both prevent and control spiders throughout the year is to get help from the professionals at EcoTech Pest Control Services.
We provide both commercial and residential pest control options that will address both spiders and their pest prey. Call us today to get started and even get a free inspection!