Protect Your Home With Proven Spider Control in Cranbury, NJ 08512

Spider Information for Homeowners in NJ & PA

Common Spider Questions

What is a Spider?

Spiders are a type of arachnid that can be found almost anywhere on Earth, and many different varieties of spiders can be found within NJ and PA. All spiders have 8 legs and 2 body parts, but they can come in a wide range of sizes and colors. On the whole, they are beneficial, and mostly find their way into homes accidentally. While essentially all spiders are venomous, very few species are harmful to humans or even capable of biting through the skin. Most spiders will not even try to bite, but if they do, people usually react as if they were stung by a bee (some people may also end up having allergic reactions).

How did I Get Spiders in my Home?

For the most part, spiders are only in your home because they wandered in unintentionally. Of course, you are more likely to see them in your house if you live in a wooded area or have plant life around your foundation because spiders like to live in these environments. Also, any areas where there is moisture, like basements and gutters, will attract spiders. Essentially, if insects that spiders prey upon are attracted to the area, spiders will follow.

How Can I Prevent Spiders?

While you are likely to continue to have an occasional spider, there are lots of things that you can do to make your home less inviting to them. Ensure that all vegetation, woodpiles, and clutter are away from the foundation of your home because they are all ideal spider environments. Also, avoid the use of landscaping materials such as riverbed rock as the rounded rocks create a damp cool environment that is favorable to the sorts of insects that spiders often eat. Switching to yellow (sodium vapor) lights can also reduce the number of insects attracted to your home. Lastly, you will want to keep your home as well sealed and free of moisture as possible. Accordingly, you will want to seal up gaps around windows and doors and any other entry points or cracks. Keeping your basement as dry as possible is also helpful.

What are the Main Types of Spiders in my NJ or PA Home?

1. Common House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)

• Small, brown or gray spiders.
• Often build messy cobwebs in corners, basements, and garages.
• Harmless to humans.

2. Cellar Spider / “Daddy Longlegs” (Pholcidae)

• Very long, thin legs with small bodies.
• Found in basements, crawl spaces, and attics.
• Harmless and can actually eat other insects and spiders.

3. Wolf Spiders (Lycosidae)

• Larger, hairy spiders that hunt on the ground.
• Occasionally wander indoors, especially in basements or garages.
• Fast movers but not aggressive; bites are rare and mild.
  

4. Cobweb Spiders / Theridiidae

• Includes the infamous black widow (Latrodectus mactans) in very limited areas of NJ and PA.
• Usually build irregular webs in undisturbed corners.
• Most are harmless, but black widow bites are serious.
  

5. Hobo or Funnel Spiders (Agelenidae)

• Build funnel-shaped webs, usually in basements or around foundations.
• Shy and rarely bite humans; bites are mild.
  

6. Brown recluse spiders (Loxosceles reclusa)

• Occasional brown recluses may show up in the Northeast, but this is almost always due to traveling in boxes or furniture, not local populations.
• They are venomous, but bites are very rare in the NJ/PA area.
• Misidentification is common—many harmless spiders, like wolf spiders or cellar spiders, are often mistaken for brown recluses.

Is the Spider Treatment Environmentally Friendly?

There are many eco-friendly options available for spider control. In addition, all products used by Anchor Pest  Control are EPA registered for pest control use. Our highly trained pest control professionals follow all applicable label requirements in an effort to keep pets and humans.

How Soon Can You Get Here?

At Anchor, our goal is to provide fast, convenient service, with the peace of mind that you are in good hands. We understand that spider problems can be stressful and overwhelming, so we strive to have one of our representatives meet with you the same day or the very next day.