Spiders are part of Halloween fun, but the real things can be cause for action!
October is here; cooler temperatures, crisp nights, and falling leaves mark the days. It’s also at this time of year that ghosts, witches, pumpkins and spiders pop up on lawns and front doors everywhere. While most of these creatures are part of Halloween fun and make-believe, the real spiders are not.
Fall is the time of year that spiders really begin to haunt our homes and properties here in Georgia. We see spiders more often in the fall because it is their mating season. Spiders mate this time of year to create egg sacs that can survive the winter, even while many of these parental spiders will die during the first frost.
While Georgia’s warm, humid summers make the state a comfortable home for about 40 species of spiders, there are only a few species that are cause for concern and therefore, professional intervention is wise.
The Black Widow (Northern and Southern varieties) is one of the most dangerous spiders in Georgia; their bites contain venomous neurotoxins. The Brown Recluse is another threatening eight-legged pest, its bite causing necrosis of the skin, sometimes requiring hospitalization.
No conversation about spiders in Georgia is complete without mentioning two more notable species. While not venomous, they are certainly considered pests. First, let’s take a look at the newcomer to the scene: the Eastern Asian Joro spider, more commonly known simply as the “Joro.” Just a few years ago, this gigantic specimen was first spotted in north Georgia as it spread along the I-85 corridor, and there is no doubt that it will eventually move south.
There’s no mistaking a Joro; the females are huge, brightly colored specimens, their legs spanning 3 – 4” in length. Their layered webs are a golden silky color, many of them very large and very strong. Often, several females will live in the same web, and their webs are most often spun high in the trees and power lines. They eat only insects, including stinkbugs. As frightening as they look, they are not dangerous to humans or pets.
Granddaddy longlegs are another specimen, not actually a spider but for our purposes here, we’ll include them in this group of pests. Not a cause for concern with respect to venomous bites, these creatures can appear in great numbers and be an annoyance to homeowners.
The common house spider, Wolf spider, Garden spider, and Jumping spider are all familiar inhabitants of Georgia yards and sometimes, of homes. No one wants to encounter these unwelcome houseguests skittering across the floor or hiding in corners and cracks. There are, however, measures you can take to discourage spiders from taking up residence in your home.
Cool, dry places, debris, woodpiles, even clothing stored in dark, cool places are the perfect habitat for these unwelcome creatures. Be sure to keep your garage and attic clean and clear of cobwebs. Avoid keeping shoes on the floor, if possible.
Spiders eat mosquitoes and other insects, so eliminating their food source can also discourage an infestation. However, in Georgia, keeping their favorite “foods” in check can also be a monumental undertaking (and Red Coat Pest Solutions can help with that, too). Despite a property owner’s best efforts, in severe cases, entire homes have been infested with both harmless and venomous spiders.
Whether a spider is toxic or not, an infestation is (at best) unnerving and (at worst) unsafe. At Red Coat Pest Solutions, we approach a spider problem with the same care and respect for your home and the environment as we use in all of our pest prevention and control techniques. If you suspect that you have a spider infestation, be sure to give us a call. The occasional spider sighting is to be expected, but an infestation requires professional attention.
Red Coat offers complete protection plans to ensure the safety of your family, your pets, and the environment. We work with great care and respect for both your home and the environment.
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