Pest Control Archives | Southern Pest Control - Pest Control & Exterminator Service

How Do You Check for Bed Bugs at Your Vacation Rental or Hotel?

bed bugs in hotel in Mississippi Gulf Coast | Southern Pest Control A hotel stay promises relaxation, comfort, and excitement. However, hidden within the folds of sheets or tucked away in the seams of mattresses, an unwelcome guest might be lurking: the bed bug. These tiny insects have become notorious for their ability to turn a peaceful night’s sleep into a nightmare. Knowing how to check for bed bugs at an Airbnb, vacation rental, or hotel could help you avoid waking up covered in bites – or worse, accidentally bringing them home with you.

Signs of Bed Bugs in a Hotel

Bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, so it can be challenging to spot an infestation right away. The last thing you want is to set down all of your luggage just to realize that the bed is crawling with insects. That’s why it’s important to take a few minutes to inspect your hotel immediately after arriving at your room. If you notice any of these signs, your hotel room may have bed bugs:

Visible Bugs: Although bed bugs are small and typically hide during the day, you might spot them in seams of mattresses, along baseboards, or behind picture frames. They are about ¾ of an inch and are reddish-brown.
Blood Stains: Dark or rusty spots on bedding, mattresses, or furniture could indicate bed bug excrement or crushed bed bugs.
Fecal Spots: Small, dark spots resembling ink stains on bedding or nearby furniture might be bed bug excrement.
Shed Skins: Bed bugs shed their exoskeletons as they grow. These translucent shells can be found near their hiding spots, such as the headboard or in carpeting.
Musty Odor: Some describe the odor of a severe bed bug infestation as musty or sweet. If you notice an unusual scent in the room, it might be worth investigating further.

Ways to Prevent Bed Bugs While Traveling

Unfortunately, hotel rooms aren’t the only place where bed bugs might be hiding. They’re also known for invading public spaces with plenty of upholstery, such as airports or public transportation. If you want to avoid accidentally picking up bed bugs while traveling, follow these steps:

Use hard-shelled luggage
Seal your clothes in plastic bags
Avoid placing your belongings on upholstery
Carefully inspect your luggage before bringing it indoors
Wash your clothes on high heat after returning home
Call a professional if you suspect you have bed bugs

Get Rid of Bed Bugs Fast

Despite our best efforts, it’s still possible to accidentally pick up bed bugs while traveling. Returning home from a long trip is already exhausting enough even without the stress of dealing with an infestation. At Southern Pest Control, it’s our goal to make sure pests are the least of your concerns. We offer fast and efficient bed bug removal services that ensure you can rest easy. With customized treatment plans and long-term solutions, we’ll also make sure your infestation doesn’t come back in the future. If you think you have bed bugs, give us a call now!

House Centipedes in Mississippi: Friendly or Hostile?

Centipedes Friend or Foe | Southern Pest Control

As homeowners in Mississippi, we’re no strangers to sharing our space with various creatures. One such resident that often makes its presence known is the house centipede. These creepy crawlies can be unsettling to encounter, but before you reach for the nearest shoe, it’s important to understand the role they play in our homes and what their presence might signify.

Meet The House Centipede

House centipedes, scientifically known as Scutigera coleoptrata, are arthropods with long, flattened bodies and numerous legs. While their appearance can be unsettling, these creatures are harmless to humans, do not harm infrastructure, and are actually natural pest controllers. They are carnivorous predators that feed on other insects like spiders, cockroaches, and ants. In this way, they help maintain a balanced ecosystem within your home. Seeing a lot of centipedes in your home is a strong indication of an underlying pest problem and may warrant a call to the professionals.

Dealing with House Centipedes

House centipedes prefer damp, dark environments, and are often found in bathrooms and damp closets. While they may be harmless, if centipedes are abundant, it could indicate that their primary food sources – such as insects and spiders – are plentiful as well. Here’s how to keep them out of your home:

Reduce Moisture: Address any sources of excess moisture in your home, such as leaky pipes or damp basements. House centipedes thrive in humid environments, so using dehumidifiers and fans is the best way to control their numbers.
Seal Entry Points: Seal cracks and gaps in your home’s foundation and walls to prevent centipedes from entering.
Catch and Release: If you encounter a centipede, catch it gently using a glass and a piece of paper, then release it outside.
Pesticide: House centipedes are nature’s pest control, so if you’re seeing them in large numbers in your home there’s a high chance you have a different pest infestation that they’re feeding on. With their many legs, pesticides are not very effective against house centipedes as they just glide over coated surfaces. While some over-the-counter pesticides will help reduce pest populations in your home, professional-grade products are much more effective.

Year-Round Protection You Can Trust

At Southern Pest Control, we know a thing or two about keeping pests out of your home. Dedicated to serving our community here in Mississippi, we have over 45 years of experience using innovative solutions and the latest technology. Whether you simply don’t want house centipedes or suspect you may have an underlying issue at play, don’t hesitate to call us today!

Late Summer Pests

Here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, residents are soaking in the last days of summer as the weather fades into fall. While we’re busy with backyard BBQ’s or hanging at the beach, pests are also busy trying to make the most of late summer. Contrary to popular belief, pests thrive during this time, with plenty of warmth and outdoor activity providing ample opportunity for them to enter your home in search of a food source, or place to nest.

Most Common Late Summer Pests

The warm and humid climate of late summer on the Mississippi Gulf Coast fosters an environment that is ideal for pest proliferation. As summer winds down, our region experiences a surge in any number of pest invasions, not the least of which are:

Mosquitoes: With about 2000 cases of malaria reported every year, mosquitoes pose a distinct threat to your home, and they thrive in the warm humidity of late summer. With their swarms well established, they will be seeking out food sources like you, your family, and your pets.
Flies: Breeding fast and in large quantities, by late summer you can easily find your home overrun with house and/or fruit flies. Overripe vegetable gardens or improperly sealed garbage bins are major attractors of these unwanted pests.
Bees, Wasps & Hornets: Attracted to the sweet scents of gardens in full bloom, these stinging pests can easily find their way onto your property and into your home. Untended fallen fruit and rotting garbage are also major hubs of activity for these potentially dangerous pests.
Cockroaches: These pests can be found everywhere warm and humid environments are, making late summer on the Mississippi Gulf Coast ideal for them. These pests seek to invade your home as they search for food sources and a place to escape the coming cold.
Spiders: Daddy longlegs, orb weavers and giant house spiders are just a few species most active in summer. Late summer will find these creepy crawlies seeking out mates, following their food, and enjoying the milder temperatures of your home.
Rodents: Damaged vents, holes along the roof or soffits, open doors or damaged screens are all easy access entry points for rodents like squirrels, mice and rats.
Snakes: Heightened rodent activity is guaranteed to be accompanied by an uptick in snake presence. Taking advantage of the same access points as their prey, a professional inspection of your property can help prevent a frightful encounter.

Professional Help You Can Trust

With over 45 years of experience serving our local communities, the expertly trained team at Southern Pest Control is ready to help you say hello to peace of mind and say goodbye to pests for good. From small pests that do big damage, to wildlife that found their way in, we’ve got you covered with preemptive and year-round pest control you can rely on. Call today to request a free estimate!

Tick Bites on Dogs: What You Need to Know

Dog with a tick bite | Tick removal tips | Southern Pest Control

For such tiny little insects, ticks are capable of striking fear into the heart of any outdoorsy person here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast – especially dog owners. With tick season in full swing, it’s important to have a game plan in place to protect our furry companions from tick bites. The experts at Southern Pest Control will walk you through what you should do if your dog gets bitten to ensure they recover safely.

What Can You Do For Tick Bites?

When faced with a tick on your pet, swift and proper removal is key. However, tick removal is a delicate task; leaving any of the head intact could lead to an infection. To properly remove a tick, grab some fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool and follow these steps:

Pinch and Pull: Grasp the tick firmly but gently, near your pet’s skin, and pull it straight back. Avoid pulling sideways, as this could leave the tick’s head or mouthparts behind, increasing the risk of infection. A straight, steady pull will prompt the tick to release.
Gentle Handling: Exercise caution not to squeeze the tick too forcefully, as excessive pressure could crush it, making removal more challenging.
Sanitize the Area: After successfully removing the tick, thoroughly clean and sanitize the bite area. This step helps minimize the potential for infection.
Testing Option: If you suspect your pet was bitten by the tick, you have the option to store the removed tick in a sealed bag and take it to your local veterinarian for testing.

What Should You Be on the Lookout for After a Bite?

Ticks can transmit various diseases to dogs, and recognizing the symptoms is crucial for timely intervention. If your dog exhibits any of these signs, seek veterinary attention promptly:

Lyme Disease: Symptoms include painful and swollen joints, fever, and loss of appetite. Untreated, it can lead to kidney failure and cardiac and neurological problems.
Ehrlichiosis: Look out for bleeding episodes, eye issues (hemorrhage or blindness), neurological problems, anemia, lameness, and swollen limbs.
Canine Babesiosis: Keep an eye for abnormally dark urine, anemia, fever, weakness, depression, and sudden collapse.
Anaplasmosis: Symptoms may include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, coughing or labored breathing, seizures, bruising, uncontrolled bleeding, and lameness.

Remember, tick-borne diseases can progress rapidly and have serious consequences. If you suspect your dog has contracted any of these illnesses, don’t hesitate to seek professional veterinary care to ensure their health and well-being.

Professional Prevention Measures

Your friends here at Southern Pest Control understand how important your four-legged family members are, and we have your back. Our team of well-trained professionals has over 45 years of experience specializing in tick and flea removal and prevention. Our technicians will:

Thoroughly inspect your property for any source of infestation or uncovered hiding spots.
Use appropriate pest control products to clear your entire property of fleas and ticks
Post treatment, we also provide you with tips and tricks to keep these unwanted guests from coming back.

If you suspect you may be dealing with a tick or flea infestation, don’t hesitate to call us today for a free estimate.

Mosquitoes Suck, but Extermination Shouldn’t

A worker spraying for mosquitoes as a means for mosquito extermination.

The Gulf Coast of Mississippi has so much to offer to its residents year-round. The warm weather and beautiful shores draw many of us outside. But, going outside to enjoy the bounty that nature offers brings with it the most common pest: the Mosquito.

Mosquito bites can be dangerous, carrying the chance of contracting the Zeka Virus, West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever, and many other diseases. For this purpose, it’s best to avoid being bit in the first place. While you can’t control mosquitoes in nature, you can control their infestation in your own yard.

Do’s For Mosquito Control:

While there are many resources to take care of your home and yard, here are proven methods to help with mosquito control:

Use Mosquito Traps: Traps that kill mosquitoes are different than common bug zappers. These traps can emit carbon dioxide, heat through a UV lamp, or a combination of the two. This mimics a human or animal that mosquitoes feed on. Once the mosquito is trapped, they die inside the trap.
Remove Standing Water: No puddle is truly too shallow to become a problem. Mosquitoes can lay their eggs in as shallow as half an inch of water. Remove any standing water from your property by emptying containers that hold water and fixing broken or leaking faucets.
Add Natural Predators to Water Features: If you have a pond or similar body of water on your property, introducing natural predators is an extremely easy method of mosquito prevention. Mosquitofish or dragonfly larvae will eat large amounts of the mosquito larvae population meaning less adults will emerge to bite you.

What To Avoid in Mosquito Control:

Granted there’s tons you can do to exterminate or keep mosquitoes out of your property there’s a lot of myths and bad information out there in regard to mosquito prevention. Below are two popular ways of mosquito prevention that do not work:

Using Coffee Grounds: While if applied in very specific manners it can keep eggs from hatching or larvae from growing, but it’s widely ineffective at keeping the mature adults from getting to you and biting you.
Using Essential Oils: Essential oils can work as a mosquito repellant, but only briefly. They evaporate from the skin quickly and will soon leave you exposed to getting bitten. Considering essential oils can vary in potency from one manufacturer to another, it’s best to go with an EPA-approved mosquito repellent containing DEET or Picaridin.

Expert Mosquito Extermination

At the end of the day, rather than pulling your hair out (and itching your skin) over these pests, let the experts take care of your yard. From homes to businesses, the professional exterminators at Southern Pest Control can make mosquito control worry-free for everyone. We have offered year-round protection to our clients since 1975. By tailoring pest control practices to your needs, this ensures a personalized approach to your problem. Leave the pest control projects to the experts – contact Southern today for a free estimate and to start a pest-free living!

Avoiding the Springtime Swarm

an ant colony transporting larvae outdoors

The Spring days on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi are ample in sunshine and warmth, especially after the cooler winter rain. The sunshine and warmth awaken swarms of spring insects in Mississippi Gulf Coast such as termites, wasps, bees, and ants that can make their way into your home and yard. These swarms are unwelcome guests to any home or backyard gathering. There are, however, ways to protect your property from infestations.

Insects that come out in spring are foraging for food and seeking to mate. While this usually is taking place outdoors, keep in mind that they also could be seeking shelter and someplace to nest inside your home. Be on the lookout for:

WASPS – Wasps come in a variety of colors which include yellow, brown, red and metallic blue and have a narrow waist and pointed abdomen. They nest in wood fibers that they have chewed into a pulp and formed a honeycombed umbrella shape.
BEES – Bees that aren’t your friendly honey making variety come yellow with black stripes. They tend to nest in piles of wood or other yard debris.
ANTS- Including Carpenter Ants and Fire Ants.
TERMITES – Termites come in shades of brown, white and black and range in sizes ⅛ of an inch to 1 inch. They have antennae and wings and can be mistaken for ants.

Termites to Watch For

Some of the most common swarming insects on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are termites. There are two main types of termites known to the Mississippi Gulf Coast area:

Drywood termites. As their name implies they make their home in dry wood and need no contact with soil to live. They don’t go for moist, softwood, instead, they eat across the grain of dry, hardwood. Because they go for dry wood, infestations are usually found higher in structures like rafters. They often enter structures through exposed wood or wooden furniture that is brought into the home. They are common to warmer, tropical climates with mild winters. Evidence of infestation includes discarded wings, feces or frass (piles of sawdust from feeding).
Subterranean termites. These termites cause homeowners the most damage and also are the most common termite in North America. Eastern and Western Subterranean termites are prone to swarm in late February or early March. The Formosan termites swarm later in spring, usually May. They make mud tubes that are used as tunnels from the ground to their food source.

Protecting your home and yard from invading pests.

Below are just a few tips to discourage pests from taking up residence in your space.

Cleaning up after outdoor BBQ and other cooking as wasps and bees are looking for and are attracted to protein-based foods. Leaking faucets or hoses provide a water source that attracts not only wasps and bees but termites and ants.
Patching cracks or crevices in walls, repairing broken panels or siding to discourage wasps from nesting in your walls. Keep your yard clean of heavy debris.
Termites swarm in early spring months, looking to establish new colonies. They are attracted to water sources, and again repair leaking faucets or pipes as they are attracted to a moist environment. Avoid storing items in wooden or cardboard boxes, try plastic storage bins instead.
Clean your yard regularly of rotting wood. Make sure your porch or deck is in good repair.
Keep mulch away from your foundation.
Store all firewood above ground and away from the perimeter of your property.
Ants such as odorous house ants, nest in walls and beneath carpeting. Keep organic debris such as leaves and piles of wood away from your foundation. Store leftovers in airtight containers and keep areas clean of food debris and dirty dishes. Ants are attracted to sweets as well as protein-based foods.

Spring Pest Control in Mississippi Gulf Coast

All the tips above can help you prevent a pest infestation in the Mississippi Gulf Coast area. But sometimes you can do everything right and still wind up with ants on the counter and a wasp nest under the eave. When that happens, Southern Pest Control can help. We’ve been treating spring pests since 1975, helping countless home and business owners live safer and more comfortably. We’ve helped them through active and preventative measures, and we can help you too. Contact us today to get started!

Are Kissing Bugs Harmful?

Kissing bug against a white background in Mississippi

Though kissing bugs may sound cute, they’re far from it. These nocturnal insects get their charming nickname from their less-than-charming habit of biting people in the middle of the night – usually around the mouth. If it isn’t bad enough to picture bugs crawling on your face while you sleep, these pests are also capable of causing serious health issues for humans and animals. So, what exactly are kissing bugs, and how can you keep them out of your home? The experts at Southern Pest Control explain everything you need to know down below.

What Are Kissing Bugs?

Kissing bugs, also known as assassin bugs or triatomine bugs, are small parasitic insects that feed on blood. They prey on sleeping people or animals, which is why they typically hide in bedroom furniture or pet beds. Though kissing bugs are usually solitary, females will leave eggs behind, which can cause ongoing problems for homeowners. If you discover any triatomine bugs in your house, it’s important to contact a pest control professional to screen for signs of additional insects.

How to Identify a Kissing Bug

Triatomine bugs are small insects that have thin antennae, thin legs, and a cone-shaped head. They are oval-shaped, dark in color, and usually measure between ½ to 1 inch. Their most defining feature, however, is a row of orange or yellow stripes around the edge of their body.

Why Are Kissing Bugs Dangerous?

It’s never fun to discover insects in your home, but kissing bugs are more than just bothersome. Their bites may not be particularly painful, but they can lead to infections or serious illnesses such as Chagas disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Chagas disease can be life-threatening or lead to long-term health consequences for both humans and animals. If you suspect you or a pet has been bitten by a kissing bug, watch for these early signs of Chagas disease:

Warmth or swelling around the bite
Fever, fatigue, or body aches
Swelling eyelids or swollen glands
Loss of appetite or nausea
Headaches

How Do Kissing Bugs Cause Chagas Disease?

Kissing bugs are known for carrying a small parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, which lives in their digestive tract after feeding on an infected animal. The parasite isn’t spread directly through the saliva of a triatomine bug; rather, it travels through their feces. Most insects will leave behind excrement after feeding, which sleeping victims may accidentally rub into their open bite wound.

Tips for Preventing Kissing Bugs

Triatomine bugs are unpleasant and dangerous. The best way to protect yourself and your pets from harm is to prevent these pests from getting indoors in the first place. To keep kissing bugs out of your house, follow these tips:

Keep your door and window screens in good condition
Seal any cracks or gaps that could lead into your home
Tidy up your landscaping and remove debris near your house
Keep yard lights farther away from your home entrances
Allow pets to sleep indoors, especially at night
Periodically check bedrooms and pet beds for signs of bugs

What to Do if You Discover a Kissing Bug

Kissing bugs are creepy, and they’re the last thing you want to find inside of your house. However, if you come across one of these insects, do not come into contact with the kissing bug – even to squash it. Doing so could expose you to Trypanosoma cruzi, which may put you at risk of developing Chagas disease.

Instead of squishing the bug, place a transparent container over the bug. After sealing it in, contact a pest control professional. An expert will be able to confirm the identification and assess your home for any remaining pests.

If you need help with a kissing bug – or any other type of pest – turn to Southern Pest Control, Inc! We understand how distressing an infestation can be, which is why our number one goal is to provide you with 100% peace of mind that your space is bug-free. As a trusted pest control provider for 45 years, Southern Pest Control is committed to being the leader in Mississippi Gulf Coast’s pest control industry. To get help fast, call us today and get a free quote!

pest control company strangest insects

TAP® Insulation: Bad for Pests, Good for Your Wallet

There’s a lot you can do to keep pests away from your home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. You can de-clutter and properly store your garbage and dry goods. There are some DIY solutions that use essential oils to repel certain pests, or home renovation tactics that use screens or caulk to block others. These all can work to varying degrees, but is that all you can do? What if there was a way to always be killing pests without the need for traps or any effort on your part? And what if you could fight pests while also making your home more comfortable and efficient? TAP Insulation makes all of this possible. It’s a form of home insulation beloved by certain pest control companies, and it’s a service we offer for households on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. If you’re ready to step up your pest control strategy with only one simple installation, Southern Pest Control is here to help!

TAP® Insulation: An Overview

TAP stands for Thermal, Acoustical, Pest Control insulation. It is made up of loose-fill cellulose that’s blown into the attics of existing homes, or in the floors and walls of new builds. What separates TAP from other insulations like fiberglass or spray foam is that it’s been chemically treated with Boric acid. Boric acid is naturally occurring and is commonly used as a cleaning agent or first aid tool, but it’s also a very effective pesticide. It can kill a variety of bugs – including ants, cockroaches and termites.

The pests have easy access to the insulation – that’s how it works. It coats their bodies, and since a majority of insect pests are surprisingly hygienic, they end up ingesting the boric acid when they groom themselves or each other. These insects are unable to pass the material, so they soon after die of dehydration or malnutrition. And just like that, you’ve prevented an infestation of your home with no effort on your part.

What TAP® Pest Control Insulation Does

Are there other benefits to TAP Insulation aside from its pest-killing properties? Yes, not only is TAP a persistent pesticide for insects as small as Formosan termites to larger cockroaches and beetles, but it’s also a very good insulator. It’s made of cellulose a highly effective insulator, which slows the transfer of heat, keeping you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Your HVAC system will use less energy, and you’ll quickly see that reflected in your monthly utility bill. It’s also fire-retardant and mold and mildew-resistant.

Southern Pest Control for Expert TAP® Insulation

TAP Insulation is not considered toxic for children, adults, or any pets. However, you should still get the material installed by a qualified professional. At Southern Pest Control, we’re a leading installer of TAP Pest Control insulation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We think our friends and neighbors deserve a constant defender that can put a stop to potential pest infestations without them having to lift a finger, and that’s exactly what you’ll get from TAP Insulation. We’ll still be around and able to help on the off chance you have an infestation, but when properly involved TAP can greatly reduce the risk. So if you want to work smarter instead of harder to prevent pests in your home Southern Pest Control is here to help. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an estimate!

insulation pest control pest prevention

Home Remedies to Keep Mice Away

A rodent is nestled in a gap between two chunks of cement

During winter on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, everyone’s just trying to keep warm. This is true for local residents as well as pests, particularly rodents. Mice can enter your home through cracks or holes that are only ¼ inch wide. At Southern Pest Control, we have a group of skilled rodent exterminators who can get rid of any size or type of infestation. But if you were able to keep rodents out in the first place, wouldn’t that be better? While DIY pest control is not as effective as professional pest control, if you’re not ready to call an exterminator yet, here are some methods you can try to help keep your holidays pest-free.

Non-toxic, DIY Rodent Repellents

Here are four common methods for keeping mice and rats away using items you might already have around the house:

Peppermint oil: Mice don’t generally like the strong aroma of peppermint. In order to prevent them from entering, you can put a few drops of the oil on cotton balls, and then scatter them around any potential access points. Even better, you can plant mint along the perimeter of your property to act as a barrier!

Another odor mice dislike is apple cider vinegar. To preserve the repellent effect, mix it with vinegar and spray it once a month along the perimeter of your home and around potential access points.

Steel wool: Mice can chew through many materials thanks to their strong incisors. But research has revealed that they’re unable to bite through steel wool. If you use it to cover potential access points, it will prevent them from entering your home.

Mice hate the scent of fabric softener sheets. Put one of the sheets inside any openings you find that you think could be entry points.

Ways to Keep Rodents Out

The attractant that drives a mouse infestation is whether or not your home makes an appealing habitat for nearby rodents. Mice want what any mammal wants when it’s cold out: food, shelter, and warmth. If you have them, they’ll try to get in any way they can. Let’s look at the methods you can use to keep rodents from getting in to your property:

Check your home’s inside frequently for evidence of mice, especially dark corners like attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
Locate every potential point of access on the exterior of your house and seal or close it.
Keep food covered, sealed, and stored.
Remove as much clutter as possible from your home, both inside and outside.

Mice won’t want to stay for very long if there isn’t easy access to food or a quiet, dark location to nest. Plus, taking these actions will also make your home tidier and more comfortable to live in.

If DIY Approaches Fail

Even if you follow all these steps, rodents might find their way into your home. If they do, all of us at Southern Pest Control have your back. Since 1975, we’ve provided reliable, effective extermination services to homes and businesses on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. You don’t have to live with bothersome ants, unsettling spiders, or scurrying rats and mice. We can help rid your home of rodents or any other pests. Just give us a call!

DIY pest control mice rodents

Wolf Spiders: A True Halloween Horror

A wolf spider sits on a stepping stone near some grass

You may enjoy the sweets and scares of Halloween, but things get all too real as soon as you see an actual spider in your home. For most the instinct is to grab the nearest and heaviest object and use it to squish the eight-legged invader. The urge will probably be even stronger if it’s a particularly big spider. But what if we told you that stomping that spider without looking may result in a rippling onslaught of baby spiders by the hundreds?

This isn’t the plot of a cheesy horror movie – it’s a very real possibility when dealing with the wolf spider. So how can you identify this particular arachnid, and what can you do to keep it from getting into your home?

Wolf Spider Habits and Appearance

Wolf spiders range in size, from 1.5″ to 4″ depending on the climate they’re found in. Their bodies are made up of two parts, the cephalothorax and the abdomen, along with a set of fang-like mouthparts called the chelicerae. Because of their appearance, they’re often mistaken for other, more dangerous species like the black widow or the brown recluse. Wolf spiders are unique in that unlike these sister spiders, they’re free roaming and don’t make webs.

While being far from the fastest runners in the world, the wolf spider can skitter to capture prey at two feet a second. They eat larger insects like roaches and grasshoppers, and other smaller, less fortunate spiders. And since they don’t have a web, the mother wolf spider chooses instead to carry her young on her back. From eggs in a sac to a cluster of spiderlings, this hardworking single mother keeps her hundreds of children close at all times. So, if you kill or attempt to disturb the mother, these babies will scatter in every direction.

You can avoid turning your home into a daycare of scared spider children. All you need to do is take a few simple precautions.

Getting Spider-Free

Spiders, wolf spiders included, like to hide in a place where they won’t be disturbed. When out in the wild, wolf spiders love to nest under tree roots or in the cover of fallen leaves. If they were to get inside, they’ll prefer to stay amongst the cluttered, quiet corners of the house. That’s why we suggest vacuuming on a regular basis, along with keeping your closets, basement and attic clear of clutter. Doing that will make it so spiders have fewer places to hide and set up shop.

Outside the home, you can create a similar effect by moving piles of firewood and debris away, if they’re against the side of your home. You can also trim shrubs and any tree branches touching the roof. Spiders do not choose to come into your house by chance. If you make it inconvenient for them to get in, they usually won’t. But if all that doesn’t work, you can count on Southern Pest Control to solve your spider problem in no time.

Southern Pest Spider Control

We provide long-term spider control for homes on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We can send an expert to your home that will find entry points that spiders can take advantage of and seal them up. Once we finish, you’ll be able to enjoy your scares through the safety of a television screen – and have a happy, and spider-free, Halloween. To get started, contact us today!

spiders wolf spider