WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – As we get into the latter part of the year, it is time to talk about spiders. Mature after spring hatching, these arachnids can give people quite the fright any time of year.

Giant house spiders are by far one of the freakiest as they are large, move fast and closely resemble their relative the hobo spider.

Autumn is one of the most common times to see a giant house spider. Though non-aggressive and their bite won’t send you to the hospital, it can be spooky to encounter a giant spider in the home without warning.

These spiders will be found in the home at this time of year as males wander in search of a mate. It is less likely for you to encounter the native hobo spider as the European-originated giant house spider has populated in many of the same locations we would see the native species, but if you’re not sure what you have in the house, it doesn’t hurt to call a pest professional.

Bio Bug uses a three-prong approach for spider control in a home or business.

  • Perimeter treatment to control populations outside the building in addition to a sweeping away of webs.
  • Interior treatment in problem areas, or places where spiders are commonly found, including basements
  • Use of sticky traps and monitoring the area for changes in population

“Fall is the season when spiders often enter the home.  Exterior perimeter and interior treatments will eliminate a spider’s food source as well as controlling the spiders themselves,” Pest control expert Steve Cornwell said.

Spiders are a beneficial aspect to the ecosystem, managing other pests like flies and mosquitos, but when the eight-legged predators get out of hand, it may be time to bring the expert to help keep their numbers to a manageable level.