Although we tend to imagine spiders as big, hairy demons that are intent on harming humans, this is far from the reality. These eight-legged creatures range in size, colour and habitat as much as any other species. While some are web-builders, others hunt for their prey; some species build webs high up in the canopy of native trees, while others zone in on cold, damp basements and cellars.

Having spiders in your home isn’t necessarily a negative, as they prey on other irritating insects, like mosquitoes and flies. However, not everyone wants an eight-legged tenant hanging out in their basement, which calls for some level of indoor spider control.

Before we go into the protocols for dealing with a spider infestation, let’s look at the most common species you’re liable to see around the home.

Three Common Types of Spiders:

Dancing with Wolves

The wolf spider can look quite menacing, measuring up to 3 cm long and covered in fine, dark brown hairs. Despite appearances, these spiders are extremely beneficial to gardeners and farmers alike, preying on crop-munching insects like caterpillars. Wolf spiders spend most of their lives outdoors but may seek the refuge of a warm basement in the autumn months.

Behind the Cellar Door

Cellar spiders are very different to wolf spiders, with their long legs and delicate appearance. Often confused with daddy-long-legs, these are creatures you’re likely to find in the basement, as they love cool damp habitats. These spiders can be controlled quite easily through the removal of webs and lowering humidity within the home. Nevertheless, like the wolf spider, cellar spiders can help control other spider species, like the house spider.

House and Home

The black widow is one of the most well-known of the house spider species and although it is not usually aggressive towards humans, their bite packs quite a punch. As its name suggests, this is the species you’re most likely to come into contact with in your home and basement. They’re messy webs make them something of a nuisance and often provoke people to employ some system of indoor spider control.

Beating the Basement Bugs

While spiders can be useful creatures to have around the home, in terms of their capacity to prey on and control other insect populations, not everyone feels comfortable with them. In instances where the spiders are taking over, it’s recommended you call a professional company, like Truly Nolen, who can help get rid of the problem and give expert advice for ongoing indoor spider control.

How to Keep Your Home Spider-Free

Once the problem has been eliminated, keeping spiders at bay is the next step and here are a few pointers on how to keep your home spider-free:

• Declutter – a home that’s full of disorganized items offers a perfect habitat for many insects, including spiders. Clear out your basement on a regular basis and store items away from the walls to make cleaning easier.
• Eradicate other pests – get a pest control expert in to deal with high populations of other insects which provide a food source for spiders.
• Limit the attraction – poorly sealed garbage bins, dark corners, high humidity are all attractive to spiders so dealing with these issues will help turn your home into an unattractive place for them.
• Remove wood piles – wood stacked inside the house offers house spiders the perfect environment for hunting and nesting. Move your wood pile outside and a few feet from the house to discourage arachnids.

Some basements are tricky to access and have hidden nooks and crannies which are spider-friendly. In instances such as these, professional indoor spider control is highly recommended.