Pest Control Guide - Spiders in Indiana, Kentucky, & Illinois
Spiders are the largest group of arachnids. There are more than 35,000 named species worldwide, including about 3,000 in North America. These predators live almost everywhere - on the ground, under rocks, inside and underneath playground equipment, among grasses, on plants, in tree branches, in underground caves and even on the water. The most common types in people's homes are:
BLACK WIDOW SPIDERDescription
- Black Widow spiders females are about ½" in body length and about 1 ½" in total length.
- The adult female is shiny black with a red hourglass on the rounded abdomen.
- Juvenile females may have red spots or stripes as well as the hourglass.
- Males are dingy white with brown markings and faded hourglass.
- Black widow spiders nest in voids or cavities and construct a thick irregular shaped web.
- Black widow spider bites contain a neurotoxin that shuts down the respiratory system.
- Black widows get their name from the phenomenon that the female will try to consumer her mate after breeding.
- She is successful only about 20% of the time.
- Treat the exterior perimeter of the home.
- Treat the interior perimeter of areas such as storage units and garage as these are likely nesting locations.
- Direct ULV fogging in areas where black widows are observed will contact kill adult spiders.
- Use insect sticky traps in areas conducive to pest activity
- Exclusion can help prevent them from gaining entry
- Inspect your property often and look for signs of nesting.
CELLAR SPIDERDescription
- Cellar Spiders vary in size but can get up to 1 ½" in length with their legs extended.
- Cellar spiders are small bodied spiders that are usually not seen unless you are looking for them.
- Cellar spiders build a thick dirty web that they continue to work on their entire lives.
- Cellar spiders are common in warehouses, garages and crawlspaces. They can be found in homes behind furniture or at the wall ceiling juncture.
- Cellar spiders are commonly referred to as the daddy long-leg spider because of their long slender legs.
- Cellar spider control can be achieved by constantly disturbing the nested spider.
- Vacuuming or sweeping the nests will cause stress on the spider and eventually kill it.
- Insecticide treatments to likely cellar spider web locations will prevent the spiders from building webs and provide short term control.
BROWN RECLUSE SPIDERDescription
- Brown Recluse are about 1" in length
- Brown recluse are two tone brown with a darker "fiddle" shape behind the head (cephalothorax).
- Brown recluse have long narrow legs and a football shaped abdomen. With their legs extended they are about he size of a quarter.
- Brown recluse live the majority of their time hidden in secluded places.
- They can live up to two years
- Bites can cause necrosis (deterioration flesh and tissue) Bites have been know to even cause death which is extremely rare.
- Interior Perimeter treatments of all rooms.
- Dusting of wall voids such as electrical outlets and light sockets.
- Treat storage areas such as closets basement and garages.
- Directive Treat drop ceiling areas and attic areas, garages and the living area of the home.
- Set sticky traps throughout the home to capture the spider all day everyday.
- Remove clutter and debris.
- Organize storage areas.
HOUSE SPIDER
Description
- House spider are about 3/16" to 5/16" in length.
- They have a dirty white abdomen with a few dark spots.
- They construct webs in garages, crawlspaces, attics and under furniture.
- It is the most common spider indoors but creates no health risk with its bite.
- Removing the web of a house spider is the most effect control method.
- Either vacuum or sweep the web to remove it
- Treat the area where house spider are likely to build with a liquid insecticide to prevent further activity.
- Common areas include basements, attics, garages, crawlspaces and behind furniture.
WOLF SPIDERDescription
- Wolf spider vary greatly in size due to the numerous species.
- Wolf spiders are typically dark gray or brown but can vary in color also.
- Wolf spiders get their name from the fact that they hunt for food like a wolf.
- They are very furry spiders with all species having hair.
- They have dark markings on each side of the cephalothoraxes the hard plate behind the head.
- Treat the exterior perimeter of the structure with a liquid insecticide.
- Treat interior areas such as basements and garages with a liquid insecticide.
- Treat crawlspaces by spraying all wall and floor with a liquid insecticide.
- Place monitors throughout to capture any further spiders that might enter the structure.
YELLOW SAC SPIDERDescription
- Yellow sac spiders are 1/8"-5/8" in length.
- They are yellow to yellowish green in appearance.
- Yellow sac spiders are a common biting spider that is more likely to bite than a brown recluse.
- They build a silken sac which they spend the majority of their time during the day and then leave the sac to hunt at night.
- They build these sac structures around crown molding or the wall ceiling juncture.
- Treat the interior perimeter of all rooms with a liquid insecticide.
- Crack and crevice treat crown molding and/or the wall ceiling juncture in all rooms with an approved insecticide.
- Treat interior of garage including the wall ceiling juncture.
- Place out sticky traps to capture any further sac spider that enter the structure.
