The Complete Guide To Keeping Spiders Out Of Your Memphis Home
October 15, 2020
You have probably heard the saying, “innocent until proven guilty.” We grant this to accused criminals before judging them in court. Although this is sensible and just within human civilization, when it comes to spiders, the opposite is often true. Think about it, if you saw a spider in your home and didn’t know whether it was dangerous or not, would you assume they were harmless? Definitely not! You would immediately assume they could hurt you and would deal with them with caution.

To give you a better understanding of spiders and to help prevent these pests around your home, use this complete spider control guide.
Common Spiders in Memphis
Memphis is home to several different species of spiders. Here are some of the most common species you might find around your home:
American House Spiders
American house spiders are one of the most common invasive pests here in Memphis. Identify these small arachnids by their bulbous abdomens, brown coloring, white speckles, low hanging webs, as well as dark patches, and lines. A bite from one of these pests may cause an itchy wound or an allergic reaction in certain individuals.
Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders do not build webs, but rather hunt from the ground for their prey. Identify these spiders inside your home by their furry brown or grey bodies, various dark markings, and front-facing eyes. Bites from these spiders may cause infection, swelling, an itchy bump around the wound, and a possible allergic reaction.
Cellar Spiders
Cellar spiders, also known as daddy long legs, are best known for their long thin legs and tiny bodies. Although capable of biting other creatures, cellar spiders neither bite humans nor have venom powerful enough to cause any major damage.
Brown Recluse Spiders
Brown recluse spiders are considered by many to be the most dangerous spider in America. Identify these pests by their brown bodies and the dark backward violin shape right behind their head. Fatality from these spiders’ bites is rare and even less so with swift medical attention.
Black Widow Spiders
Black widows the other most dangerous spiders here in North America. Easily identify this pest by their large black body, bulbous abdomen, and the red hourglass mark on their underside. If bitten by one of these pests, seek medical attention immediately.
How To Prevent Spiders
Spiders are adept at invading homes and do so to hunt for other pests. To keep your home protected from potentially dangerous arachnids, here are some prevention tips that work for both spiders and the pests they invade to hunt.
- Find and seal gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation using a caulking gun.
- Identify and repair ripped or torn window and door screens.
- Address loose-fitting or damaged weather stripping and door sweeps.
- Fix leaky pipes and fixtures.
- Purchase a dehumidifier and use it around particularly moist areas of your home.
- Keep your home as clean as possible, and store leftover foods inside airtight containers.
- Make sure all of your trashcans have tight-fitting lids.
- Pick up after your pets and clean out their water and food bowls before going to bed at night.
- Turn off exterior lights when it gets dark out, or invest in insect-resistant bulbs.
If you do not have time to prevent spiders on your own or would like an easier and more reliable solution to pests in general, we have options for you at Mid South Pest & Termite, LLC. Choose from our monthly or quarterly plan to determine the level of pest protection you want for your Memphis home and property.
Give us a call today for questions about our home pest control and commercial pest control services, or to schedule an inspection for your Memphis home.