How To Keep Spiders Out Of Your West Palm Beach Home


August 27, 2021

While most spiders we encounter in our homes are not dangerous, these unwelcome house guests will still bite and leave pesky webs in the underused corners of our house. Spiders are one of the most common fears in America, so it’s reasonable to expect that your summer plans do not include spiders invading your home.

If you are worried about sharing your home with spiders, don’t stress — contact the professionals at Empire Pest Defense for your free estimate. Empire Pest Defense provides experienced, personalized service for your Florida home, no matter your pest concern. 

spider crawling on wall

Identifying Common Spiders In West Palm Beach & Why They Enter Our Homes

Spiders commonly found invading homes in West Palm Beach, FL include:

  • Wolf spider: Identifiable by its hairy gray, brown, or black body and forward-facing eyes. This spider will bite if threatened, but is not dangerous to humans.

  • Cellar spider: Small-bodied, tan or gray, the cellar spider is quite spindly and small and poses no risk to humans.

  • House spider: The most common home invader, the house spider is brown or gray with darker chevron markings along its body. This spider poses no threat to humans.

  • Black widow spider: Identifiable by its large, black body and red hourglass shape on the spider's abdomen, the black widow’s venom is dangerous to humans.

  • Brown recluse: The most misidentified spider, the brown recluse is identifiable against other spiders by the dark violin-shaped marking on its back, as well as the spider’s six eyes (as opposed to eight). The brown recluse is dangerous to humans, and its venom may produce necrosis. 

If you have been bitten by a spider you suspect to be a black widow or a brown recluse, seek medical attention and bring the spider to the emergency room for positive identification, if possible. With spider bites, it is always better safe than sorry. These bites may take weeks to fully develop, and are best caught early on in order to minimize likelihood of severe reactions.

Spiders most often enter our homes following their prey. In fact, if you see a spider out and about in your home, this indicates the arachnid is hunting. Spiders are secretive pests, and will typically take great lengths to hide out of view. 

How To Prevent Spiders From Entering Your Home

The most effective methods in preventing spiders from entering your home involve targeting not only spiders, but the prey they follow as well. Empire Pest Defense recommends the following actions to make your home less hospitable to spiders, as well as their prey:

  • Inspect the exterior of your home for potential points of entry, such as cracks in the foundation or around outdoor utility pipes. Repair any tears in window or door screens and seal any gaps with a silicone-based caulk.

  • Clear yard debris on a regular basis, and take care to keep foliage pruned.

  • Store any firewood a minimum of 20 feet from the house, and five feet off the ground.

  • Address any moisture areas in your home, such as leaky air conditioners or utility pipes. Prevent standing water from collecting by filling any holes or flipping over any containers, when possible.

  • Sweep away any spiderwebs as soon as you find them.

  • Clear excess clutter and avoid leaving clothes or shoes on the floor. Especially in underutilized areas of the home such as basements, closets, or attics, store any garments in tightly sealed plastic bags or shake them out before donning them.

  • Properly dispose of food and mess in a timely manner. Take care to properly secure all trash receptacles and food containers.

The best way to deal with pests — and therefore spiders — in the home is with ongoing professional assistance. Empire Pest Defense takes care of any pest concern, no matter the size or scope.

West Palm Beach Residents, Don’t Stress! Call The Professionals

Empire Pest Defense has been providing high-quality pest control services to the West Palm Beach, FL area for over 30 years. Our expert service technicians will not only solve any current concerns, but take care to inspect your home to prevent future invasions. Empire Pest Defense offers customer-focused service to all residents around the West Palm Beach area, at a fair price. 

Call us today for your free estimate. You can’t afford not to!

Tags: spider control | dangerous spiders | spider prevention |