A spider scurrying across the floor of your bathroom late at night probably isn’t your favourite sight. Learn more about the different types of house spiders you may encounter, where they live in your home, and when to call professional pest control in Toronto.

What Are Types of House Spiders in Canada?

Regardless of your feelings about spiders, some are actually beneficial to have around because they eat small insects and they (mostly) stay out of the way of humans. Other spiders can multiply rapidly and create a horror-movie-like scene in the dark recesses of your home. Below are three common types of house spiders.

House Spiders

In Canada and the States, there is a species of spider that’s actually referred to as a house spider. This arachnid is relatively small — around the size of a fingernail — and it builds webs in the corners of your home. It’s not poisonous, but it can bite if it feels threatened, and it spends its days waiting for prey that it traps and eats in its web.

Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders don’t build webs — they run across the ground as they hunt their prey. Despite sounding scary and being larger than the average house spider, these arachnids aren’t poisonous and don’t pose much of a threat to humans. They can serve as a natural form of pest control themselves. These spiders often come inside when the weather gets cold and they can squeeze through small cracks in your walls, under your doors, and near your plumbing.

Black Widow Spiders

You’ve likely heard that the bite of the black widow spider can send you to the hospital. These black arachnids with red hourglass-shaped markings on their backs are extremely dangerous and they’re found in nearly every Canadian province. They don’t often inhabit people’s homes, but they may enjoy living in dark, secluded areas such as piles of boxes in your storage room or in your basement. If you find these in your home, call for professional spider removal immediately.

Where Do House Spiders Live?

Most types of house spiders do not enjoy the changes in our climate, and they can spend their entire lives indoors. They can build their webs in a matter of hours, which is why when you swat down one web, three more seem to pop up out of nowhere.

You probably won’t notice these little unwanted guests unless they become too numerous. If you do find them in your home, you’ll see them in the following areas:

• Hiding in webs in the corners of your bathroom (they like the moisture and the fact that the water attracts smaller bugs that they eat).
• In your garage or attic where it’s quiet, dark, and peaceful.
• In your woodpile or storage space where there are many nooks and crannies for them to hide in.

What Should You Do if You Find House Spiders in Your Home?

It’s important not to touch a spider or attempt to trap it unless you know for sure that it isn’t poisonous. Remember, black widows and brown recluses are extremely dangerous and other, more harmless spiders may look similar. If you’re unsure about a spider’s species, don’t try to remove it without professional help.

One or two (non-poisonous) spiders aren’t a big deal. If you want to remove a single spider from your house, simply trap it in a cup and release it outside. If your garage, attic, or basement is overrun by spiders, it’s time to call a responsible pest control company to assess and fix your situation.

Contact Truly Nolen for Professional Pest Control in Toronto

Spiders are everywhere. They keep our homes free of smaller bugs such as mosquitos, ants, and flies — but at times, their numbers can grow beyond what’s comfortable.

If you’re having a problem with spiders in your home, it’s time to take action. Contact Truly Nolen today to schedule your inspection and keep your home as arachnid-free as possible!