Spiders are arachnids. They all have two body regions (cephalothorax and abdomen) and eight legs. They are wingless and also have no antennae. Spiders feed on a variety of nuisance garden insects and are considered beneficial to the environment. Most spiders that invade properties are harmless, but some do pose significant dangers to people.

Three of the most common species of spiders here in the Atlanta Metropolitan area are listed below:

Black widow spiders
Black widows have a unique red, hourglass-shaped mark on their undersides, with light red or white markings on their abdomens and backs. Their round bodies are shiny and black, and they have eight slender legs. Females are larger than males.

Brown recluse spiders
These spiders range in color from yellowish-gray to black and have a distinctive violin-shaped pattern on top of their bodies. Gray hair covers their abdomens, and their long legs are darker color than their bodies. Additionally, the brown recluse has three pairs of eyes arranged in a unique semicircle. They avoid light and are most active at night.

Wolf spiders
Wolf spiders are dark brown with pale yellow markings, and their robust bodies and powerful legs are covered in hair. Wolf spiders are not web-building spiders. They create burrows where they wait for prey to come by so they can hunt them down. These spiders prey on insects that are walking or resting on the ground.

Spiders can be dangerous, depending on their specific species. Both the black widow and brown recluse are examples of dangerous spiders that live in the Atlanta area. These spiders have venom that is strong enough to cause serious health consequences for people. Nevertheless, most species of spiders are just a nuisance and pose no real threat. For example, wolf spiders may look intimidating, but they are harmless and their venom is not strong enough to affect humans.

The main reason spiders are living on your property is because it is offering them ample sources of food, water, and shelter. Spiders feed on insects. If your property is housing large populations of insects, you are also going to have problems with spiders. Spiders also seek secluded areas away from people to hide out in.

Where will I find spiders?

Outdoors, spiders are often found living in tall grasses and fields. Once living in or around your property, they can be found in basements, crawlspaces, garages, sheds, and other outbuildings. Black widow spiders build their irregular-shaped webs near the ground in dark, dry, and secluded spots such as in shrubs, in woodpiles, under decks, and in hollow tree stumps. Brown recluse spiders are particularly shy and prefer to stay hidden from view, spinning their webs in protected areas like behind wooden shingles, and under rock piles and woodpiles. Wolf spiders don’t spin webs; instead, these pests create burrows at ground level in secluded outdoor areas like under rocks, landscape timbers, woodpiles, and leaf piles. Inside, they again stay at ground level against walls, in the corners of rooms, or under furniture. They are also common invaders in basements, garages, and sheds.

Get rid of spiders the easy way by partnering with an experienced, local pest control expert. Squash-A-Bug is a family-owned and locally operated company that has over 15 years of experience keeping Atlanta area properties free of pests. Our certified professionals provide highly effective pest control services that eliminate spiders and minimize their return. To learn more about our exceptional, 100% guaranteed residential or commercial pest control solutions, contact Squash-A-Bug today!

Keep spiders out of your Atlanta Metro area home or business with the help of the following prevention tips:

• Reduce hiding spots in your property by storing items in sealed containers, not cardboard boxes.
• Cut shrubs and bushes back away from the exterior of your home or business.
• Keep the lawn cut and wooded areas cut back from your yard.
• Remove piles of excess debris from your yard.
• Place weather-stripping around doors.
• Make sure window and door screens are intact.
• Inside your home, keep storage areas clutter-free and organized.
• Keep doors and windows closed in garages, sheds, and other outbuildings as much as possible.
• Use caulk or wood filler to seal entry points in the foundation, exterior walls, and roofline of your property.