Cobweb Spiders: Helpful Housemates or Unwanted Guests?
You’ve probably noticed the thin webs hanging along the corners of the wall or around light fixtures. Cobweb spiders (AKA “cellar spiders”) are to thank for that. As their name suggests, cobweb spiders are web-building spiders found in nooks and crannies around the house.
Although they might cause an extra step in your housekeeping routine, having a cobweb spider or two around the house may not be all that bad. In this edition of our pest blog, the team from Vulcan Termite & Pest Control Inc. explains why.
Why Are Cobweb Spiders Beneficial?
Believe it or not, our pest experts consider cobweb spiders beneficial. While cobweb spiders are harmless to people, dogs, and cats, the same can’t be said for pests.
Cobweb spiders are generally accepted as a natural means of pest control; they prey on mosquitoes, flies, and other household insects that would quickly multiply without these natural predators. That’s why cobwebs signal a healthy and balanced ecosystem within your home; besides, there will never be more than a few hanging around.
Due to their similar appearance, cobweb spiders can be easily mistaken for the dreadful brown recluse. Check out our blog, where Experts Discuss The Cellar Spider vs. Brown Recluse Spider, to spot the difference.
After you have consulted an exterminator to determine if cobweb spiders in your house are harmless, consider these advantages of allowing cobweb spiders to live in your home:
- Spiders feed exclusively on other insects, which helps manage pests at home.
- They can help prevent the spread of disease. As spiders control insects in your home, they often minimize the spread of bacteria and disease from roaches and other bugs.
- They’re low-maintenance and require no effort from you to do their job.
Still, there are potential reasons you might not want to keep cobwebs hanging around your home for long…
While the pros of cobweb spiders outweigh the cons, there might be a few downsides for some:
- While cobweb spiders do not trigger allergies or asthma, their webs can catch excess dust, which could provoke reactions in some individuals.
- Although their webs are harmless, they require a little extra effort to remove. Since they weave their webs in hard-to-reach places, this can be a drawback for some.
- Even though they eliminate the pests you don’t want around, their quiet, calculated crawling is spooky to some people.
Partnering with the Good Pests
Given that more than 200 species of cobweb spiders exist throughout the United States, it may be time to make peace with these little critters in your house. We partner with the good pests at Vulcan Termite & Pest Control Inc.
If you suspect a more sinister spider is infesting your home or have questions about a specific spider species you’ve spotted on your property, contact us online or call (205)-663-4200 today!