Spider Control in Charlotte, NC

Which spiders in North Carolina should you worry about?

The black widow is the spider most people mean when they ask about a dangerous spider in North Carolina. It is found statewide, but encounters are rare. The brown widow is common statewide and is less dangerous, and the brown recluse is native only to the far west of the state.

Black widows favour sheltered, dark places such as crawl spaces, sheds and the space under appliances and furniture. They are not aggressive and bite mainly when pressed against the skin.

Brown widows are common across the state, and they are generally considered less dangerous than the black widow. They build untidy webs in similar hiding places.

The brown recluse is native only to far western North Carolina and is occasionally carried elsewhere. It is not expected in a home in Charlotte, so a suspected recluse should be identified by a technician rather than assumed.

• Black widows are found statewide but are rarely met
• Brown widows are common and less dangerous
• Identify any suspected brown recluse before acting on it

Are wolf spiders dangerous?

Wolf spiders look alarming, because they are large, fast and hairy, but they are harmless to people in the ordinary course of a home visit. They hunt insects on the ground rather than building webs. A wolf spider found indoors can be removed by hand or moved outside.

A wolf spider carries its young on its back, which surprises many people who see it. The young and the adults do not spin webs to catch food.

Wolf spiders are often mistaken for more dangerous species. A photograph or a specimen lets the technician confirm the identity before any decision is made.

Removing the insects that wolf spiders feed on helps reduce their numbers. Lights that draw insects to a doorway, and clutter that gives insects shelter, both draw them in.

When is mechanical removal enough?

For a stray spider found on a wall or in a shoe, mechanical removal is usually enough. Vacuuming a web, shaking out a shoe and moving a box are simple steps. A plan with a treatment is worth considering when spiders keep returning to the same spot.

Mechanical removal works when the spiders are few and the webs are in the open. Vacuum the web and the egg sac, then empty the vacuum outside.

Recurring spiders point to a steady source, such as a damp crawl space, a stack of firewood against the wall or a light that draws insects. The technician looks for that source rather than only the spider.

Check shoes, gloves and outdoor furniture before use, especially after a period of storage. A spider that gets into a shoe can bite when the shoe is put on.

• Vacuum webs and egg sacs and empty the vacuum outside
• Shake out shoes and gloves before wearing them
• Note where spiders return, since that shows the source