Heavy rains may force
some ground nesting spiders to "high ground", which may bring them onto
the foundation and siding as well as indoors. Debris that remains
on the ground for an extended time may attract insects and other small
arthropods that are suitable prey for spiders. You may also
run into spider
webs strung across gaps in vegetation. Although many spiders can
bite, the majority of them are harmless and their venom has little,
if any, effect on people (unless a person is hypersensitive). Black
widow spiders are found in many areas of North
Carolina, but actual encounters with people are relatively rare. Recluse
spiders have been found in *some* areas of the state but they are an
extreme rarity. Mechanical control (vacuuming corners and
under/behind furniture, swatting the spider with a rolled-up magazine
or newspaper, etc.) should be more than adequate for the random spider
that shows up indoors.Applying pesticides indoors for spiders probably
isn't necessary, but if it is your preference then you can use any common
household insecticide, concentrating your efforts on baseboards, corners
and under furniture where where spiders often hide. Some suggested pesticides
can be found in the
NC Agricultural Chemicals Manual
. You
can reduce the likelihood of an accidental spider bite by wearing gloves
whenever handling debris or articles that have been undisturbed for some
time either indoors and outdoors. Click here for
more information on spiders.
|
