If you’ve noticed webs and spiders in your home or business, you likely already know that you’ve got a spider infestation. Just how bad the infestation is (or whether you should be worried about it) depends on a lot of factors, but you can be sure they are living with you if you see them indoors. In Florida and Georgia, where warm weather and an abundant insect food supply keep spiders active throughout the year, it is important to know what types of spiders you are dealing with. Identifying the species and getting expert pest control services in Roswell will help you develop an effective spider control strategy.
Key Takeaways
- Spiders thrive all year due to the warm, humid climate and plentiful food supply.
- Most spiders are harmless, but there are some venomous spiders in Florida and Georgia that require caution.
- DIY spider removal can be effective, but for serious infestations professional spider control is recommended.
Why Spiders Are a Problem in the Southeast
Before you can develop an effective spider control strategy, it is important to know which spiders are the most problematic and why there are so many of them in Florida and Georgia. Some of the most common spiders found throughout the Southeast are dangerous, but many just look scary. It is helpful to know what you are looking for and where to look. Not only will it make it easier to target the pest spiders you want to get rid of, but it can also help reduce unnecessary fear when dealing with these creatures.
Climate Helps Spiders Thrive in the Southeast
Of course, the climate is a big contributor to spider reproduction. The warm temperatures and elevated humidity levels make it easy for all kinds of creatures to thrive, including spiders. The climate also guarantees a constant food supply because most insects thrive all year round in Florida and Georgia since there aren’t any deep freezes to keep bug populations in check.
Some of the most stable environments (and most popular for spiders) are attics, basements, crawlspaces, and sheds, but they will set up hunting grounds anywhere they find consistent food sources. One example is outside on your porch or back patio where lights attract flying insects and small beetles.
Species-Specific Challenges
Beyond the climate and plentiful food supply making it easy for spiders to thrive, there are some species-specific challenges that that many home and business owners face in both Florida and Georgia.
Venomous spiders are one of the biggest concerns that people have. The most common venomous spiders in the Southeast are black widows and brown recluse. In Black widows are found through Florida and Georgia, and brown recluse spiders are found in Georgia (very rarely in Florida). Both spiders like dark, undisturbed areas like storage sheds, attics, and basements, and other similar places.
Black widows deliver a venom that is neurotoxic, creating intense pain, muscle cramps, and nausea, while brown recluse spiders have venom that is necrotic, destroying tissue around the bite. While both spiders can create serious problems, black widow bites can cause systemic reactions, making them more dangerous.
It’s not just the venomous spiders that home and business owners have a problem with. Several of the most common speices across both states are large, fast, or a little too good at spinning webs. Wolf spiders, orb weavers, and house spiders are prime examples of common nuisance spiders that do present any real danger to humans or pets, but are unpleasant to have around.
How to Spot A Spider Infestation
As we’ve already established, spider infestations in Florida and Georgia can grow very quickly if they are not addressed quickly enough. Common signs of a spider infestation include frequent webs, regular sightings, egg sacs, and unexplained bites. By catching these warning signs early, you can take action before the infestation becomes a major problem.
Here are the most common signs to look for if you think you have a spider infestation.
Sign | What It Looks Like | What It Means |
Frequent Webs | New webs appearing daily in corners, ceilings, basements, or windows. | Indicates active spider presence; persistent webbing suggests multiple spiders or a growing population. |
Sightings | Spiders regularly seen on floors, walls, or ceilings, sometimes even during the day. | Population is increasing; daytime activity signals overcrowding or larger infestations. |
Egg Sacs | White or tan round sacs found in corners, basements, or inside webs. | Each sac may release dozens of spiderlings, leading to rapid population growth. |
Bites | Itchy red welts in clusters; swelling, pain, or systemic symptoms in severe cases. | May indicate spider activity nearby; medical attention is advised if symptoms worsen or spread. |
How to Get Rid of Spiders (Step-by-Step)
Once you have confirmed that you have a spider infestation, it is time to make and spider control plan and put it into action. The most effective plans go beyond simply spraying high-traffic areas with a pesticide from your local store. They involve targetting the spider food supply, eliminated webs and egg sacs, sealing off entry points where possible, and then using treatments.
Here’s how to approach your spider problem.
Step One: Removal Food Sources
The first step in a good spider removal plan is to remove the potential food sources that attracted spiders to your home or business in the first place.
To manage insects in your home or business, there are several things you can do. One is to keep food and trash areas clean, and another is to reduce any standing water that may exist. Pet food and watering stations should be checked on a regular basis and trash should be managed regularly to reduce opportunities for insects to feed and multiply.
Finally, applying targeted insecticide treatments can eliminate the insects that spiders eat, along with some of the spiders themselves.
Step Two: Eliminate Webs and Egg Sacs
Once the insect populations that spiders depend on have been mitigated, the next step is to locate webs and egg sacs.
You can use a vacuum with appropriate attachments to clean them up. You’ll need attachments that allow you to reach high ceilings, tight corners, and behind furniture and appliances. When finished, be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag as baby spiders are very small and can easily escape a vacuum after hatching.
Aften vacuuming, use a damp, soapy rag to wipe down corners, storage areas, and crawlspaces where spiders like to put their webs. Doing this will help discourage rebuilding, especially if you add vinegar to the cleaning solution.
Step Three: Seal Entry Points
Another way to reduce insect populations is to seal off entry points. While this step doesn’t do much for the insects that are already inside, it does make it harder for any more of them to get in, making it easier to get control over the population that you are dealing with and making reinfestation more difficult.
tart with cracks around windows, doors, and foundations, but don’t stop there. It is a good idea to do a complete inspection of your property to identify any potential entry points that you can seal.
Some entry points can’t be effectively blocked with caulk. Holes or tears in screens require screen patches or complete replacements, and broken vents either need to be replaced or modified with screens. Larger gaps often need to be filled with construction foam or steep wool before a sealing agent is installed, and gaps around utility lines sometimes require specialized products.
Just be mindful of any material that you use, making sure that pests can’t chew through your seals.
Step Four: Use Treatments if Needed
The final step is to apply targeted spider removal treatments. The types of treatments you choose should be specific to the areas and spider species you are trying to get rid of.
Sticky traps are a common approach to spider control and they can be placed near baseboards and in dark corners where spiders are likely to travel through. It’s best to place these traps in areas where you have either seen webs or actual spiders wandering around.
Another popular method is to apply insecticide sprays along known spider pathways. You can spray along baseboards, attics, garages, crawl spaces, and even around doors and windows to quickly reduce active populations. Just be sure that the insecticidal spray that you choose includes spiders on its label. When done correctly, these residual sprays can help maintain control for several weeks.
To create long-lasting barriers, many people apply dust formulations in hard-to-reach areas like crawlspaces and wall voids. There are several different options for effective dusts, but two of the most common are boric acid and silica dust.
When to Call Professionals
While you can find success dealing with spiders on your own, do it properly and ensuring long-term control can be difficult, time-consuming, and can become expensive over the long term. Sometimes, hiring a spider control professional is the best way to quickly and effectively solve a spider problem.
Here are some of the top reasons our customers call us for help.
- Persistent Infestations: Seeing new webs or spiders after repeated DIY treatment attempts is usually a sign that you are missing something important. Calling in a professional team can help you identify why your treatments have failed and take action to fix the problem.
- Risky Infestations: Some infestations come with significant risk to your health and it is best not to handle dangerous spiders without the proper training and equipment. Professionals can remove venomous spiders to protect your family, pets, and employees.
- Accurate Identification: Many people lack the expertise to identify spiders, which can lead to misidentifications and failed treatments. Professionals can quickly determine whether you spiders are dangerous, and which treatments would be best.
- Targeted Treatments: Pest control companies have access to tools and treatments that most people don’t. Licensed professionals have access to products that are better at reaching more difficult areas and are much more effective at addressing the root of the problem.
- Long-Term Prevention: A professional pest control service will also ensure long-term relief. Not only do pest control companies provide guarantees on their work, but you can also use them for ongoing management plans to keep spiders at bay.
FAQs
Why are spiders more common in Florida and Georgia than in other states?
Spiders are more common in Florida and Georgia than in other states because of the warm, humid climate and plentiful insect prey. They also don’t experience seasonal die-offs like spiders often do in other parts of the country.
How can I tell if a spider in my house is venomous?
It is not always easy to identify venomous spiders from non-venomous ones, but the most common ones do have distinguishing markings. Black widows have a red hourglass shape on them and brown recluses have a violin shape on their backs.
Do outdoor lighting choices affect spider activity around my home?
Yes, lights outside attract insects, which are common food sources for spiders.
How quickly can a spider infestation grow?
Dozens of young spiders can hatch from a single egg sac, and when there is plenty of food it is not uncommon to see populations multiplying in just a few weeks.
Does the time of year affect spider activity in Florida and Georgia?
In Florida and Georgia, spiders remain active all year. However, the most active months are usually in the late summer and fall.
