If you feel like you’ve been noticing more spiders around Bridgewater lately, you’re not alone. However, while you may see more spiders now, both outdoors and in your home, rest assured that there hasn’t been any sudden spike in the spider population. Because spiders tend to be more noticeable in the fall, you’re more likely to become aware of them and likely to need more aggressive spider removal methods.

Why Do You See More Spiders in the Fall?

Most spider eggs hatch in the springtime. Freshly hatched spiderlings are usually very small and often go about their business unnoticed. Those spiderlings eat, mature, and grow into much larger spiders throughout the spring and summer months. By autumn, spiders have typically reached their maximum size, making it much more likely that you’ll notice them as they scurry around.

When spiders reach their adult size, most are ready to mate. Most spiders mate in the fall. Female spiders build bigger, more noticeable webs in the fall, both to attract male spiders and to catch enough food to supply the females with the energy to produce eggs and an egg sac.

While female spiders stay with their webs during mating season, male spiders move around, looking for mates. This increased activity makes it more likely that you’ll notice the spiders, especially the ones inside your house. For example, male spiders that would normally be hidden out of sight behind a cabinet or under a baseboard are more likely to dart across the room or scramble up the wall in their search for available females.

Where Do the Spiders Come From?

Many people believe that you see more spiders in your home in the fall because the spiders are coming indoors seeking a warm place to spend the winter. However, most outdoor spiders have evolved to survive the winter outdoors and rarely come inside.

The unpleasant truth is that all the spiders you see in your home in the fall have probably been living inside your house all year. Experts estimate that 95% of spiders found indoors have never been outside at all. Although you may see fewer spiders in the winter, don’t think that this means they’re gone. After the autumn mating season, most spiders will go back into hiding. What’s more, after mating, female spiders will probably lay their eggs somewhere in your house. Each spider egg sac can contain hundreds of tiny eggs.

What’s the Best Approach to Spider Removal?

You’re more likely to notice spiders in your house at this time of year. Those same spiders typically live their entire lives — usually around one to two years — inside your home. To discourage spider activity in your house and prevent indoor spiders from multiplying.

Spiders are more noticeable at this time of year, but effective spider control usually requires a year-round approach. You can try these things to reduce spider activity:

• Vacuum spider-prone areas thoroughly, using your vacuum’s crevice tool to completely clean out cracks and tight spaces.
• Avoid leaving pet food or other food sources sitting uncovered all the time. Keep food packaging and pet food tightly sealed.
• Eliminate potentially attractive hiding places in your home, such as stacks of containers or books, piles of boxes or magazines, or even perpetual mountains of laundry.

Hire a Team You Can Trust

The easiest way to control a spider infestation and eliminate the problem is to use professional spider removal methods. Truly Nolen is one of the leading providers of pest control in Bridgewater. Our team of experts is available to help devise a custom spider control plan to keep your home pest-free. Contact us to learn more or to schedule an inspection.