There are around 35,000 species of spider worldwide, and over 3,000 in North America. Spiders are one of the most common household pests in Massachusetts; fortunately, the spiders that invade our homes are generally harmless and may even help to reduce populations of other pests. That said, many homeowners still dread facing a spider infestation. Here’s what you should know about spiders in Massachusetts.
The most common household spiders in our area are wolf spiders, daddy long legs, and the aptly-named house spider. None are known for aggressive behavior toward people, although small insects will want to watch their backs. The presence of household spiders may clue you in to an underlying issue with other pests they prey on, such as ants, earwigs, roaches, crickets, moths, and more.
Where will you find spiders in your home? Spiders prefer hidden, undisturbed areas like basements, attics, and crawlspaces; some can be found making webs in windows or the corners of rooms. Areas where boxes and other storage items are kept provide plenty of hiding places for antisocial arachnids.
How can you keep them out? Keep spaces clean, organized, and free of clutter to reduce harborage areas; Trim shrubs and vegetation near your foundation and roofline that might be providing a direct path to your home; Deny interior access by sealing entry points around windows and doors and ensuring screens are intact and secure; Carefully inspect packages and groceries before bringing them indoors to be certain they are hitchhiker-free.
To sum it up, spiders in Massachusetts may pose minimal risk to us, but that doesn’t mean we want them in our homes. To rid your residence of these unwelcome guests and any pests that might be attracting them, call the experts at Burgess Pest – we’ll be there faster than you can say “arachnophobia”.
For more information and tips about winter pest control, download a copy of our Free Winter Pest Guidebook here!
