Spider Facts & Information

What Orkin Does

While most spiders are harmless to humans, it isn’t fun to share your home with uninvited guests. It’s important to take action once you notice signs of a spider infestation. Keeping pests out of your home is an ongoing process, not a one-time treatment, and each spider type requires a certain course of action. In order to exterminate spiders and protect your home, it’s best to consult an Orkin Pro to properly identify a spider issue.

Orkin’s Points of Service are a continuing cycle of five critical steps:

• We Investigate: We’ll inspect your home from top to bottom, inside and out, for current or potential spider problems.

• We Protect: We’ll treat the perimeter of your structure with the appropriate materials, remove all accessible spider webs and wasp nests, and use the safest methods available.

• We Fortify: We’ll do everything we can to keep spiders out-seal, caulk, plug and secure gaps and cracks.

• We Keep Watch: We’ll treat the interior of your home and install pest monitors in critical areas such as kitchens, baths, utility rooms, and garages.

• We Report: We’ll always provide a detailed report of services rendered and recommendations to help keep your home free of spiders and other pests.

• We Follow up: We’ll stay in touch between our regularly scheduled visits and respond to any immediate needs.

Since every yard or home is unique, your Orkin Pro will design a custom spider extermination treatment program for your pest situation.

To learn more about spider infestations and how to protect your home, contact your local Orkin branch.

Spider Habitat & Appearance Facts

Some spiders like moisture and are found in basements, crawl spaces and other damp parts of buildings. Others like dry, warm areas such as subfloor air vents, upper corners of rooms and attics. They hide in dark areas.

Tens of thousands of spider species have been identified throughout the world. These arachnids have eight legs and two body segments. Spiders have three or four pair of eyes. Many spiders have poor vision, but some species of spiders, such as the jumping spider, have exceptional vision.

What do spiders eat?

They feed on insects, other spiders and any other prey they are able to subdue.

Spiders do not have chewing mouthparts and commonly utilize digestive enzymes in their saliva to break prey down before consuming it. Additionally, the gut of a spider is too narrow to allow for consumption of large food particles. Almost all spider species are predators, although one plant-feeding species has been documented.

How do spiders reproduce?

Females produce an egg sac from which emerge spiderlings. Spiderlings undergo a series of molts and eventually become adults. Males of many spider species court the female. For example, male jumping spiders perform elaborate dances to attract the attention of a female. Mating can be a dangerous event for males, since they may become a meal for the female afterwards.

What is spider silk?

Spiders are capable of producing silk that is elastic, adhesive and strong. This silk is used to spin webs as well as to construct egg sacs and line spider dwellings. The size and shape of spider webs vary by species: some are orb-shaped, while others are funnel-shaped; some webs are orderly, while others appear haphazard. Some spider species live in burrows rather than webs, while others are free ranging and take refuge in crevices.

More Information

What are the World's Biggest Spiders?

Learn more about the biggest spiders in the world.

What are the World's Deadliest Spiders?

Learn more about the most dangerous spiders in the world.

Can Bug Bombs Kill Spider Infestations?

Find out whether bug bombs can successfully get rid of spiders or if they do more harm than good.

Do Natural Spider Repellents Work?

Explore the most commonly used natural pest control for spiders and whether or not they’re effective at controlling spider infestations.

What Do Spider Bites Look Like?

Get familiar with what different spider bites look like, which spider they could be from and what to do if bitten.

What is Spider Silk Made of?

Learn all about the various types of spider silk, how it’s made and what it’s used for.

How Do I Keep Spiders Out of My Home?

Find helpful tips on how to keep spiders out of your home.

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Spider Exterminator?

The cost of spider pest treatment will depend on the size or extent of a spider infestation. See what goes into determining the cost of spider removal.

How Can I Get Rid of a Spider in My Car?

Have a spider in the car? Find helpful tips on removing a spider from your vehicle.

Apartment Infested With Spiders

Find helpful tips on removing spiders from your apartment.

How Do I Get Rid of Spiders Outside?

Find answers to what is the best way to get rid of spiders outside your home.

What Kind of Spiders Do I Have?

Spiders come in all different shapes and sizes but usually have specific features.

How to Get Rid of Spider Egg Sacs

Spider egg sacs can be found in undisturbed areas of houses along with on spider webs, under leaves and attached to tree branches outdoors.

What Bug Has Four Legs on Each Side and Two Pincers?

You may have a pseudoscorpion which are arachnids.

Will Spraying for Spiders in the Basement Be Harmful to Humans?

It is always best to have a professional pest control exterminator assess the area before treatment.

What Are the Big Red Spiders on My Porch?

These could be orb-weaving spiders which are usually harmless.