Most human beings share something ranging from a dislike to a gripping fear of spiders, but arachnids play an important role in nature. In many respects, spiders are like nature's insecticide, keeping other pest populations under control.
The vast majority of spiders are small and present no threat to humans, but the common instinct to steer clear of them isn't totally irrational; a few species of spiders definitely have a dark side. This blog will help you know which spiders are poisonous and which are safe, and then offer step-by-step instructions about how to get rid of spiders.
In the US, there are several spiders whose bites can trigger severe responses in humans, and others that should be kept out of your home for different reasons. If you've had one too many encounters with any kind of spider and are determined to get rid of them, Sterifab is the only EPA-registered product that works simultaneously as a virucide, disinfectant and insecticide. (More on how to use it effectively, below.)
How to Tell Which Spiders are Poisonous
Not sure if the spiders in your home or office are poisonous? Here’s a quick list of common species of both nonthreatening (“welcome”) spiders and poisonous (“unwelcome”) ones.
Welcome spiders
Cellar Spiders - Known more commonly as Daddy Long Legs, these creatures are very common and entirely harmless to humans. In fact, they can be good to have around, as they capture other household pests like mosquitos.
American House Spiders - While they don’t look friendly, American House Spiders are utterly harmless, unless you're an insect. Roughly the size of nickel, you'll find them in dark, out-of-the-way places and wherever they can get a regular supply of flies.
Orb Weaver Spiders - There are over 3,122 kinds of Orb Weavers, so they can be hard to identify. Luckily, they are harmless to humans and generally won't bite unless attacked. Orb Weavers are particularly helpful when it comes to controlling bugs that congregate around lights.
Jumping Spiders - Though they can cause a fright, Jumping Spiders aren't dangerous at all. In addition to their trademark leaps, they can be identified by the very large set of eyes right in the middle of their foreheads.
Unwelcome spiders
Black Widow Spiders - A spider that truly lives up to its sinister appearance! If a Black
Widow bites you, head straight to the ER. You can recognize them by their black color and distinctive red hourglass-shaped marking underneath the abdomen. Stay far away from one of these and consider calling a pro to get rid of them!
Red-Legged Widow Spiders - These less common spiders are native to the sand-pine scrub in central and south Florida. While small in size, they are poisonous to humans.
Brown Recluse Spiders - Another spider to avoid at all costs, the Brown Recluse is partly dangerous due to its preference for dark, dingy places where they can easily go unnoticed. Brown Recluse venom destroys tissue at the bite site; seek medical attention right away if you think you've been bitten.
Yellow Sac Spiders - These spiders are most commonly found indoors during the colder months and their venomous bites can be very painful. Untreated bites can cause fever, malaise, muscle cramps and nausea.
Grass Spiders - These spiders won't kill you, but their bites cause pain, swelling and itching for a few days. Luckily, Grass Spiders prefer the outdoors and are notoriously shy.
Wolf Spiders - Though their bites are relatively harmless to humans, usually resulting in minor swelling or redness, Wolf Spiders are terrifying in name and unpleasant in appearance, making them a pest you don't want to keep around the house.
How to Get Rid of a Spider Infestation
Getting rid of spiders in your home can be a tricky project. Simply finding them is difficult at times, and missing even a single egg sack may mean you’ll have to repeat the process all over again. One option is to call a Pest Management Professional (PMP) to help, but if you're eager to do it yourself, you can use the same insecticide as the pros—and that's Sterifab!
PMPs use Sterifab because it's EPA-approved, non residual, and is an all-in-one solution to a wide variety of pest problems, including spiders, bed bugs, fleas, ticks, mites and more. It's also a disinfectant, killing viruses and bacteria while getting rid of pathogenic odors. Sterifab is even effective against mold and mildew, and can be used on almost any surface.
Follow these simple steps to eliminate spiders using Sterifab:
Look everywhere, especially in dark and hidden corners, for spiders, webs and egg sacks.
Use a broom or vacuum cleaner to remove everything you find.
Apply Sterifab to the same spots where you observed spiders, webs, and egg sacks. .
Put up screens in windows and doorways and vacuum regularly.
Having a spider problem may be alarming, but there's no need to panic when you've got Sterifab on hand.
Ready to get rid of spiders?
