Invest in the details to aid spider control efforts

Jim Fredericks

Spiders are one of the most common pests for which consumers seek professional pest control services.

Many areas of the country experienced warmer-than-normal temperatures this summer, and it goes without saying that hot weather typically translates into larger pest populations. With spider populations at their peak at the end of the warm summer months heading into autumn, management efforts may require additional diligence and attention to detail to avoid callbacks this year.

When it comes to spider control, one of the simplest and most effective acts a pest management professional (PMP) can perform is clearing webs around eaves, windows, awnings and lights. By eliminating webs, a PMP is physically removing the visible signs of spiders — the source of most customer concerns — as well as spiderlings and adults.

Applying an appropriately labeled residual insecticide can help keep spiders from returning. But on tough jobs, a closer inspection may be warranted. Don’t neglect crack-and-crevice applications to places where spiders may hide, such as underneath siding, flashing and shutters. Not every spider on your client’s building is waiting in the daylight for a PMP to come along and “control” it.

Alternatively, some spiders (including many in the third-largest family: the orb weavers, family Araneidae) construct new webs each evening and hide during the day. These spiders often utilize refuges close to their hunting areas, so cracks, crevices and other secluded locations — especially near lights or other spider hot spots — should receive targeted applications from the detail-focused PMP.

With the continued trend toward exterior-only, interior-on-request services, attention to detail is more important than ever. Don’t wait for a callback to do the job right. Invest in a few extra minutes and provide the best service for your client. It’s an investment that will pay dividends in fewer callbacks down the road.