Spider Control in Atlanta, GA

How do I tell a brown recluse from a harmless spider?

A brown recluse is uniformly tan to brown, with a darker violin-shaped mark on the head area and six eyes arranged in three pairs, which most people cannot see without magnification. Many harmless spiders are mistaken for recluses. A technician identifies the species from the spider itself, not from a bite.

Bites that look serious are often something else, including bacterial skin infections. If you have a wound that spreads or turns dark, see a doctor, and if you can, save the spider in a sealed container for identification.

Because misidentification is common, ask the technician to look at the actual spider rather than relying on a photo of a bite.

Where do spiders hide in older Atlanta houses?

In older homes, spiders hide in the crawl space, in garages and sheds, behind stored boxes, in closets, under porch rails, in window wells and in eaves. Black widows prefer low, dark outdoor spots, while brown recluses prefer dry, quiet indoor spots. Clutter is the biggest single help to both.

A pier crawl space is a common starting point. It is dark, quiet and full of insect prey, and many in-town houses have vents that let spiders and their food in.

Check shoes, gloves and stored clothes before putting them on, and shake out items that have been in the garage or shed.

• Crawl-space corners and joists
• Stacked boxes in garages and closets
• Firewood and lumber piles
• Meter boxes and outdoor utility boxes
• Under porch steps and deck rails

Why do spiders keep coming back after treatment?

Spiders return because insects, shelter and entry points stay. A treatment kills the spiders present and those that cross treated surfaces, but new spiders arrive from the yard and the egg sacs left behind. Keeping lights, clutter and plants under control and sealing gaps makes treatments last longer.

Outdoor lights attract flying insects, which attract spiders. Moving to warm-toned or yellow bulbs, or turning lights off when not needed, reduces the food supply.

Vegetation that touches siding, leaf litter against the foundation and stacked firewood offer shelter close to the house. A technician points these out during the visit.

Are spider bites in Georgia dangerous?

Most spider bites are mild, but brown recluse and black widow bites can be serious and need medical attention. Seek care for severe pain, spreading redness, a blistering or darkening wound, muscle cramps or trouble breathing. For poison questions, the Georgia Poison Center and your doctor are the right contacts.

Children, older adults and people with health conditions can be at greater risk and should be seen quickly. Wash the bite with soap and water, apply a cool cloth and avoid scratching while you arrange care.

A technician cannot diagnose a bite, but can tell you whether the spiders found in your home are the kind that matter.

Should I kill every spider I see in the house?

No. Most house spiders eat insects and pose little risk, and killing each one is not practical. Focus on the species that matter, brown recluse and black widow, and on the conditions that bring spiders in. A technician helps you decide which ones to treat and which to leave be.

A few cobwebs in a corner of the basement or garage are usually a sign of a normal household ecosystem, not an emergency. What deserves attention is a spider that keeps turning up in beds, closets or children's rooms, or a cluster of egg sacs.

Use a cup and card to relocate single spiders outdoors if you prefer, and save anything that you cannot identify for the technician to look at. If you have a spider phobia or a household member who is anxious, say so on the call, as the plan can go further than usual.