Researchers estimate that there are one million spiders on each acre of land. There's another estimate that everywhere on earth, except in Antarctica, a person is never more than ten feet from a spider and that right now, there are spiders in three out of four bedrooms. It might be surprising that so many humans have such deep-seated fears of the arachnids they are in contact with so frequently. Those fears are not completely unfounded, though. The things are downright creepy.

There are about 38,000 species of spiders that scientists know about so far, but they assume there are many more they haven't yet encountered. In Virginia, we have about 60. Even those not especially poisonous still have a bit of venom that can lead to painful, itchy, or irritating wounds. Certain allergies can make even those bites especially dangerous. However, one of Virginia's spiders is extremely dangerous: the Black Widow. Normally, they don't venture indoors, but entomologists think hot weather can drive them inside, leading to more bites annually.

One of the most common spiders in Virginia is the Starbellied Orb Weaver. This arachnid resembles a crab crossed with a star. Its unique-shaped body makes it easy to identify. The bite is less severe than a bee sting, and this spider would rather play dead than attack.

Other spiders aren't quite as dangerous but can still be quite the pest. Different species string out different kinds of webs, often with different purposes. Some use them as parachutes to cross long distances. In Virginia, they're most likely just trying to catch a meal. Insects and other animals fly or walk into the trap so that the spider can then paralyze their prey, inject them with a special digestive enzyme, then wait until the departed creature is nothing more than soup that the spider can slurp up. 

The arachnids constantly build new webs because they have massive appetites, eating 10 percent of their body weight daily. There are estimates that humans worldwide eat about 400 million tons of meat and fish annually; spiders, in contrast, eat up to 800 million tons of food. The webs they create are sticky and sink in quickly to the walls and furniture, staining fabrics and paint. They can be difficult to remove and are unsightly.

A high volume of spiders might signal a separate infestation of another bug. If you suspect too many spiders on your property, it's important to contact a pest control professional immediately.

At Advanced Termite & Pest Defense, we work with our clients to create custom solutions for each situation. We use state-of-the-art techniques with the best products on the market and tailor our game plan to the exact pest, building layout, and severity of infestation that we're up against. We do that while keeping our clients in the loop so they aren't faced with surprises. We finish the job quickly, thoroughly, and at a rate that won't break the bank. Contact us today for an estimate and discover why our family-owned business has earned a stellar reputation