If you have a fear of spiders, you aren’t alone. Scientists say that arachnophobia (fear of spiders) is one of the most common fears around the world.
It’s in our DNA to be fearful of creatures like spiders due to evolutionary history. Researchers say that a natural aversion to potentially harmful creatures like poisonous spiders likely helped keep our ancestors safe, even when they were just children.
The truth is, even if you aren’t fearful of spiders, you probably don’t want them lurking around your home. Nobody likes the idea of sharing their home with pests. And since we do have some poisonous spiders in Kentucky, you might be worrying about what that means for your family.
Fortunately, there are ways to get rid of spiders…and to keep them away.
In this article, we’ll talk about some of the most common spiders in Kentucky and how to keep them from bugging your family.
We will cover:
Common spiders in Kentucky
Kentucky spider identification: Poisonous or not?
How to get rid of spiders
How to prevent spiders
Choosing pest control in Louisville
We want to help you feel relaxed and not have to worry about pests like spiders. You deserve to have peace of mind when spending time in and around your home!
Homeowners often feel spiders because they worry about them being poisonous. The good news is that it’s not that common to come into contact with poisonous spiders in Kentucky.
There are two poisonous species in our region: The Black Widow and the Brown Recluse.
While these two species can be dangerous (if they bite), like most spiders, these two pests will often go out of their way to avoid people. The truth is, as much as you might not like spiders, they’re probably more scared of you!
Here’s more about some of the common spiders in Kentucky.
If you see a small, ordinary spider hanging around your home, there’s a good chance it’s the American House Spider. This type of spider gets its name for the very reason you’re probably thinking…it’s commonly found in houses!
These spiders are usually black, brown, or gray and around the size of a nickel. They are very common here in Kentucky, as well as across the country.
In general, house spiders tend to prefer damp spaces like the basement. If you have seen webs in areas around your home, chances are you have one or more American House Spiders lurking around.
Another common Kentucky spider is the Wolf Spider. Wolf Spiders grow very large (often with noticeable hair) and as a result are often mistaken for tarantulas. Unlike other types of spiders, the Wolf Spider does not hunt using webs. Instead, they use their fast ability to chase down prey.
Due to their size, Wolf Spiders are very unsettling to a lot of people. But their venom is not poisonous to humans and they will usually go out of their way to avoid people. Even so, if threatened, a Wolf Spider can bite and due to its size, a bite can cause pain and swelling.
The Fishing Spider is very similar to the Wolf Spider in size and shape. These spiders get their name as they have been known to catch and eat small fish as they walk on water surfaces.
Like the Wolf Spider, their venom is not poisonous to humans and they do not like encountering people. But due to their large size, many people find them very unsettling and do not want them in and around their homes.
In the United States, there are as many as 300 species of Jumping Spiders with many varieties also residing here in Kentucky.
As you probably guessed, Jumping Spiders are fast (and have the ability to make impressive leaps). Because of that, they are another type of spider that don’t use webs for hunting but rather chase their prey.
As we mentioned, this is one of the two poisonous spiders in Kentucky. The Brown Recluse Spider is very common and known for its ability to hide, which is where its name comes from. People often don’t even know if they’ve been near one of these spiders, since they don’t like coming out of hiding.
Brown Recluse spiders love old firewood, and one of the most common entry points into the home is through firewood.
While the Brown Recluse Spider is not out to bite people (it will likely do what it can to avoid you), a bite can be dangerous. A bite from a Brown Recluse will require medical attention.
The Black Widow is a venomous spider that is commonly found in and around Louisville. While they do have highly toxic venom, these pests are not aggressive and only bite defensively. Even so, a bite from this spider will require prompt medical attention.
Black Widow spiders prefer dim-lit locations and have been known to find their way into basements, attics, and closets.
While you do not need to be a spider identification expert, you probably want to know whether a spider is poisonous or not.
As we mentioned, there are really only two poisonous spiders in Kentucky to be concerned about: The Brown Recluse and the Black Widow.
In general, venomous spiders tend to have distinctive markings and colorings that make them stand out from ordinary spiders. Here’s what to know about the two poisonous spiders in Kentucky that you could encounter.
The best way to get rid of active spiders that you’ve already found in your home is to physically remove them. Most people like using a vacuum with an attachment so that they can suck up these pests without having to encounter them too closely.
While you can relocate a spider outside, it’s probably going to keep finding its way back inside. Spiders love your home for the same reasons you do…it provides warmth and comfort!
Once you’ve addressed any spiders you’ve already found in the home, you’ll want to take steps to keep them from coming back in. Our next section will cover how to prevent spiders in the first place.
The truth is, keeping pests like spiders out of your home can be tough because they will often find the tiniest of cracks to work their way through. But there are still a few steps you can take. For one, make an effort to seal up cracks. Also seek out other entry points (like tears in screens or gaps in doors) and close them up as best as possible.
You can also knock webs down with a broom or a duster. This is important for getting rid of spider eggs that might have been laid in the webs.
Maintaining a tidy property can also help discourage pests (like Kentucky spiders) from taking up residence there.
Pay attention to landscaping around the foundation of your home as this is a spot where pests might make their way inside. For instance, keep leaves cleaned up in plant beds around the foundation. You can also keep shrubs neatly trimmed. Pests love to hide so any effort to reduce hiding spots can help.
Since pests typically come inside in search of food, keeping food in sealed containers is important. Wipe down your countertops and vacuum up crumbs regularly. Also, be sure to keep up with removing the garbage. But bear in mind that it’s a myth that pests are only attracted to “dirty homes.” Since these scavengers are in search of the tiniest crumbs, even the cleanest homes sometimes end up with pests.
Of course, because spiders are stealthy, they’re likely going to find a way inside. This is why investing in perimeter pest control also makes sense.
Perimeter pest control works by using pest control products to create a “shield” around your property that prevents pests from entering in the first place. This is a proactive approach that helps to keep bugs out before they even have a chance to get in!
We understand that you want to do what you can to keep spiders away. Investing in professional pest control is going to be the most effective solution.
When it comes to choosing pest control in Louisville, KY, you have options. But it’s important to recognize that not all services are the same.
You want to make sure you’re choosing a company that has your best interest at heart. As with any service that you’re paying for, you want to make sure that you’re investing in a company that is going to do it right and help you get the best results.
At Limbwalker, this is what we refer to as the “Limbwalker Difference.” It means that our focus is on providing excellent customer service and results.
Along with that mindset, we’re committed to going above and beyond to ensure your satisfaction. In addition to applying pest control products to help keep bugs out of your home, we’ll also provide helpful recommendations and advice that will allow you to better address your problems.
At Limbwalker, our perimeter pest control services get good results on the most common household pests. That includes spiders but many others like ants, cockroaches, centipedes, and more. We have an effective program that ultimately saves homeowners money as they can avoid paying to correct a more costly infestation. It also allows them to keep these services limited to the outdoors, which we know is preferred.
By allowing us to create a shield around your home, you can effectively keep these unwanted pests outside where they belong. That means you can get back to enjoying life more fully without worries!
Are you ready to stop worrying about unwanted pests at your Louisville, KY home? Get in touch with us to get a quote for our perimeter pest control services.