There are more than 20,000 species of spiders in the world, so it's not uncommon to find one lurking in a dark corner of your home once the weather becomes cooler.
Most spiders are harmless and are considered beneficial because they feed on insects like the common house fly and other spiders. There are some that are venomous to humans and should be avoided when possible.
One of the most poisonous spiders in the United States is the Black Widow.
These venomous pests have black shiny bodies with a red hourglass-shaped design on the underside of the abdomen. They can be found hiding in dark places such as crawl spaces and in corners where they are not disturbed.
Another well-known poisonous spider is the Brown Recluse. They are light brown in color and have long legs and a violin-shaped pattern on the top of their body by the head. They are often found in dark corners. Their bite causes pain and leaves a wound that resembles a hole.
While all spiders have eight legs and two segmented abdomens, their life cycle varies depending on the exact species.
Most female spiders reproduce by depositing eggs in a cocoon-like sac. Some females carry the egg sac, while others hide it in the web. Eggs hatch within 3 weeks and newborn spiders emerge.
Natural control to keep spiders out of your home can be just as effective as spraying chemicals, but is environmental friendly.
Store boxes and out of season items in the basement on shelves instead of the floor and in corners where spiders hide.
Make any necessary repairs to screen doors and windows and replace worn weather-stripping.
Dust or vacuum ceiling corners and in dark areas to eliminate any trace of webbing.
Place sticky glue traps under furniture and dark areas to catch any lurking spiders.
