Why Spiders Invade San Mateo Homes And How To Keep Them Out

If you’re anything like what internet memes say about spiders, you’re likely to burn down your home or move the moment you see a spider in your home! The great news about spiders is that there are only two dangerous species in the San Mateo area: the black and brown widow spiders. However, that doesn’t mean that the less threatening spiders are welcome in your home.

Contact your local San Mateo pest control when safeguarding your home against California spiders. Pacific Pest Management is here to help.

Types Of Spiders That Invade Homes

One of the last things you want to experience as a homeowner is finding a spider in your house. Not only does it make you feel uneasy, but it frequently makes you wonder, "Are there more of them, and perhaps where that one came from?" 

There are many different types of spiders, some of which are dangerous and others entirely non-lethal. The key to effectively ridding your home of spiders is first determining the types of spiders you're dealing with before going into panic mode. Here we list some of the most common spiders you'll likely find in your San Mateo home:

Black Widow: Black widows are easy to identify because their bellies have a colored mark in the shape of an hourglass. A black widow's venom has fifteen times as much poison as a rattlesnake's. The bite can cause many symptoms, from muscle pain to nausea, but it's rarely life-threatening. These spiders aren't aggressive and only bite when they feel threatened.

Brown Widow: Brown widow spiders don't have as much venom as black widow spiders, and their bites don't necessarily need to be treated by a doctor in many cases. Most brown widow spiders are brown or brownish-gray, and their abdomens have white spots. Most of the time, they don't cause significant infestations like other spiders.

Wolf Spider: Wolf spiders don't spin webs. Instead, they hunt on foot at night and hide during the day in their burrow. During mating season, adult males may come inside. Their hairy bodies and predatory hunting nature is how they acquired the name "wolf" spider.

Orb Weaver: The circular, orb-shaped webs that orb-weaver spiders create gave them their name. Orb weavers come in various colors and sizes between 1½  to 3 centimeters. Their bodies have lightly covered fine hairs, and they are known to have large, rounded abdomens.

House Spider: Common house spiders build webs in or near homes, usually in quiet and isolated places like closets, behind doors, and attic windows. Because of their color and shape, people often mistake these spiders for brown widows. 

Garden Spider: Garden spiders are most commonly known for preying on pests in gardens or other outdoor areas rather than pests found in homes.

Seeing a spider here and there is no need to drum up chaos in your home. However, it should make you more conscious and aware that they’re getting into your home from somewhere, and you should likely consider sealing cracks or gaps. If you start to see lots of spiders in your home, contact Pacific Pest Management immediately.

Why Spiders Invade Homes

Even though the outdoors are home to many spiders, some manage to get inside San Mateo homes and build a life for themselves there. Why do some spiders invade homes? The primary reason is that they have access to a plentiful food supply. If you find many spiders in your home, you can bet that there is enough food for them to consume, a huge indicator that you most likely have other pests in your home. The critical thing to remember is that if there were nothing in your home for spiders to eat, they wouldn't bother staying there.

It's also important to note that food isn't the only reason spiders may enter your home; spiders may also seek refuge during the winter months to avoid the harsher temperatures outside. Remember that if sufficient food is within your home, they will most likely not leave and return to the outside environment. Even when the temperature warms up, spiders will stay inside and prey on insects in your home; this typically results in significant infestations that are difficult to treat if not handled promptly.

Environmentally-Friendly Spider And Pest Prevention Tips

When it comes to enjoying your space at home, it usually doesn’t involve spiders or other pests. The last thing you want is to be at home cozy on your couch with a good book and see a spider from the corner of your eye; there goes your relaxation because now you’re on edge.

The good news is that the anxiety that spiders bring is short-lived when you have the know-how to keep them out of your home. Here are a few environmentally-friendly tips to keep spiders and other pests away from your San Mateo home:

Eliminate clutter: The first step in eliminating spiders from your home is ensuring they have nowhere to conceal themselves. Spiders are constantly on the lookout for new hiding spots and entry points. Then, when you thought you'd seen the last of them, they popped up unexpectedly. Maintaining a clean and clutter-free home is the first step before contacting a pest control company in the San Mateo area. If you do this, spiders won't be able to live in your home and won't develop webs there.

Maintain an organized yard: You do not want your home to become a gathering place for spiders. If you give them entry to your home, all it will take is a tiny opening through a door or a breach in the wall before they're inside. If you cut down any plants that have grown against the wall of your house and clear away any clutter that has developed there,  you'll have created a perimeter around your home that is free of spiders. Therefore, you will see a reduction in spiders finding their way inside your home.

Fill in gaps or openings: The most effective method for removing spiders from your home is to stop them from entering in the first place. Spiders generally are outside. However, when it is time for male spiders to mate in the fall, they will travel indoors searching for females. If there are cracks in the outside walls, foundation, or spaces surrounding your home's piping, spiders will have no problem making their way inside. As you move from room to room, fill in any empty spaces. To prevent spiders from entering your home through the bottoms of your doors, you also need to install draft guards.

Use a homemade repellent: You can make your spider repellant with simple ingredients like orange or mint. These can work as a prevention method before contacting a pest control company. These odors repel spiders and other pests. Plus, there are no health risks involved when using them, as opposed to chemical pesticides. A few examples of homemade repellants are peppermint oil, citrus, cedar, white vinegar, and diatomaceous earth.

These tips listed above are great and effective ways to repel and keep spiders away from your San Mateo home. However, you must first eliminate your initial spider problem for these eco-friendly methods to work. If you are dealing with troublesome spiders, call Pacific Pest Management. After treatment, then consider implementing these prevention tactics. We also offer ongoing services if you want your home to remain pest-free.

Best Way To Get Rid Of Spider Infestations

If you have an issue with spiders, the most effective action is to get in touch with a professional. It can be challenging, and most of the time, attempting to eliminate spiders on your own will not be successful. Pacific Pest Management has over 17 years of experience dealing with spiders and other pests. As a result, we are familiar with the most effective methods for permanently eliminating spiders.

Knowing that our services will resolve your spider problem, you can have peace of mind, and our services also provide free re-treatments. To ensure spiders do not return, we will provide you with helpful advice and recommendations on maintaining a spider-free environment in your home.

Call Pacific Pest Management today if you want to get rid of spiders. We offer residential and commercial pest control services and pest-specific treatments. If you are ready to start your spider control services, we are happy to respond to any inquiries you may have.