Pest Control Richmond VA Common House Spiders

If you live in Richmond and have noticed a small, messy web tucked into a corner of your basement or garage, you’ve likely met the American House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum). While they are often the most common eight-legged residents we deal with, understanding them is the first step to effective control.

• Size: These are relatively small spiders, with the body usually less than 1/4 inch long (and the legs adding a bit more).
• Color & Markings: They can vary widely, which often leads to misidentification! They are typically a yellowish-brown to grayish color, usually with several dark, mottled, or chevron-like markings on their abdomen. This mix of colors helps them blend into their favorite messy webs.
• Harmless Nature: The great news is that the American House Spider is harmless to humans. They are non-aggressive, and their fangs are generally too small to effectively bite a person.

The American House Spider's favorite spot is a dark, cluttered, and undisturbed corner.

• Webs: They are famous for spinning those messy, three-dimensional, tangled cobwebs—the classic "cobweb" look you dread finding. Unlike the neat, symmetrical webs of the Orb-Weavers you see outside, these webs are purely functional for catching insects.
• Diet & Benefit: They are actually somewhat beneficial! They are excellent pest control agents, catching and consuming small household nuisances like flies, mosquitoes, ants, and sometimes even other, more dangerous spiders.
• The Pest Factor: Despite their beneficial appetite, they are considered a nuisance pest because of the sheer volume of unsightly cobwebs they create, particularly in high-traffic or visible areas. They also indicate a larger pest issue—if the spiders are thriving, it means there are plenty of other insects around for them to eat!

Getting rid of the American House Spider and keeping them out involves both removing their food source and their habitat.

1. Vacuuming & De-webbing: The most immediate and satisfying treatment is simply removing the webs using a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment. This must be done regularly, especially in corners, under furniture, and in high ceilings, to destroy the spider's home base and egg sacs.
2. Exclusion and Clutter Removal: Spiders love clutter! Removing debris and storage boxes from basements, attics, and garages eliminates their prime hiding spots. Sealing up cracks and gaps on the exterior of your Richmond area home also limits entry points for both the spiders and the insects they feed on.
3. Targeted Pest Control: As part of our professional service, we use residual treatments applied to baseboards, corners, cracks, crevices and entry points. This not only kills the spiders present but also eliminates the other small insects (their food source), making your home a far less attractive place for them to settle.