Spider Calls On The Up

Spiders just might be the most misunderstood creatures of the summer.

That's according to local expert, Steve Anderson from SDA Pest Control, who is advising residents to think twice before reaching for that can of insecticide. "Trust me, those eight-legged crawlers are more frightening than they are dangerous," Steve says."They're eating insects, taking down flies, keeping pests at bay. They're beneficial, and they're just doing their job."

Exterminators and health departments are reporting an increase in calls about spiders. However, experts say that's not because there's a spider infestation, but because spiders – and people – are outside more often during the summer and therefore run across each other more frequently.

Steve says many spiders help control the spread of airborne illnesses by trapping insects in their webs. And because they are non-aggressive creatures by nature, they will rarely bite unless provoked.

Spider-related enquiries to vector control are at their highest during summer. Often, when Steve is invited to look at submitted specimens for professional identification, the answer is the same: "People will show up with spiders, either after they've been bitten, or just out of curiosity," said Steve. He said the majority turn out to be common garden spiders.

Steve has been fighting the creatures for decades. The company sees a spike in business once summer rolls around. A trend echoed in pest control companies across the UK for this time of year.

"Calls are up this year. The majority of them are for spiders and ants," Steve said, adding that the company answers about 40 calls per week during summer.

Steve said he finds most spiders in garages or storage rooms because of their dark, dry corners and hidden crevices. He tells residents to discourage nesting by hosing down and clearing out all webs. Steve also advises them to store loose items – clothes, sports equipment – in air-tight containers or bags.

Even with the apparent summer onslaught of spiders, Steve is quick to point out that doesn't mean there are any more than the rest of the year. "Spiders mature and are most active in the summer, spinning webs and exploring outside," said Steve. "So it's not that there are more during summer: it's just that we're more likely to notice them."

Article provided by SDA Pest Control