spider control in Seattle, WA

What to look for

Webs and egg sacs keep the cycle going. Most are harmless and even helpful. More insects means more spiders. Spiders follow their food.

• 1Webs under deck boards and outdoor furniture.
• 2Fresh cobwebs in corners days after cleaning them.
• 3Webs across doorways or gates each morning.
• 4Spiders in bathtubs and sinks in late summer.
• 5Webs clustered around porch lights and windows.
• 6Webs behind shutters, meter boxes and utility panels.

Treatment options and typical costs

Prices are typical published ranges. Ask what’s included before you compare quotes.

Which spiders live around Seattle.

Most suspects turn out to be harmless look-alikes. Brown recluses don't live around Seattle. Around Seattle, they're western black widows, usually hiding under decks, grills and meter covers. All are harmless to people. Most spiders in Seattle homes are house spiders, cellar spiders, jumping spiders and wolf spiders. Despite their reputation, they aren't considered dangerous. Hobo spiders are common in the Northwest.

Local spiders conditions in Seattle.

An inspection in Seattle usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Around Seattle, the area is mostly urban, so spiders pressure can differ from one block to the next depending on how tight the entry points are and how much food, water, or shelter is close by. Seattle sits in a marine west coast climate, and that sets the pace for spider activity here: late summer through fall (August-October). A provider who works Seattle and Washington every day can point out the specific conditions that matter most here, and getting the scope, price, and follow-up terms in writing makes it easier to compare options. Knowing Seattle's seasonal timing lets you schedule treatment before the busy stretch rather than after it, which usually means faster service and a more accurate quote.

When you’ll see more of them.

Winter lows around 37°F in Seattle slow spiders outside, but house spiders carry on indoors. That's when males wander. You'll see the most in late summer and fall. Clear egg sacs in winter. Spring brings a new hatch.

Where they hide in houses here.

Many houses around Seattle have crawl spaces, and cellar spiders and widows love them. Inside, check closets and corners. Check crawl vents, the crawl door and the undersides of porches.

A year of spiders in Seattle.

• Spring: new spiderlings hatch. Vacuum webs and egg sacs. - Winter: with lows near 37°F in Seattle, a good time to clear clutter and seal gaps. - Fall: males wander indoors. Peak spider season. - Summer: highs near 76°F in Seattle bring more insects, and more spiders.

Harmless or worth a closer look?

• Black widow: shiny black, red hourglass underneath. Leave it alone. - Orb weaver: big round web outside. Harmless. - Jumping spider: small, fuzzy, hops. Harmless. - Cellar spider: tiny body, very long legs. Harmless. - Wolf spider: big, hairy and fast. Harmless. - Brown recluse: tan, violin mark on its back, plain legs.

If you think you’ve been bitten.

If you can, safely catch the spider for identification. See a doctor for severe pain, cramping or spreading redness. Raise the area if you can. Use a cool compress. Wash the bite with soap and water.

Fewer spiders, the easy way.

• Lights: yellow bug lights draw fewer insects. - Beds: keep them a few inches from the wall. - Shoes and gloves: shake them out before use. - Webs: vacuum webs and egg sacs every few weeks. - Clutter: store things in sealed plastic bins, not cardboard. - Gaps: add door sweeps and repair screens.

Webs outside: leave some, clear some.

• Garden orb weavers: leave them. They catch flies and mosquitoes. - Gloves: wear them when moving firewood, pots or patio cushions. - Woodpiles: keep them off the ground and away from the house. - Eaves and window frames: a long-handled brush works well. - Doorways and porch lights: brush webs away weekly.

Spider myths.

• Swallowing spiders in your sleep: no evidence it happens. - Every blister is a recluse bite: most aren’t spider bites. - Spiders move in for winter: most house spiders never leave. - Daddy longlegs are deadly: no. They’re harmless.

Spiders and pets.

Ask the company which products are cat-safe. Some sprays are risky for cats. your vet. A widow bite can sicken a dog or cat. Most spiders are no threat to pets.

What a spider visit looks like.

Inside, they focus on corners, closets and the garage. They treat cracks, gaps and hiding spots, not open lawn. They knock down webs and egg sacs around eaves and windows. The tech walks the outside first. Most visits take about an hour.

Sticky traps tell you a lot.

Check them after a week. Set sticky traps along baseboards, behind furniture and in the garage. They show which spiders you have and where they travel.

Outdoor lights and spiders.

Yellow bulbs attract fewer bugs. Porch lights draw insects, and insects draw spiders. Motion-sensor lights help too.

Cellar spiders in the basement.

They're harmless and even eat other spiders. Long-legged cellar spiders hang in basement corners. A dehumidifier and a broom keep them in check.

Spiders in the garage.

Store things in sealed bins off the floor. Garages collect webs, boxes and insects. A door sweep and a sticky trap by the door help.

Questions to ask before you sign.

• Which spiders did you find? - When can kids and pets go back in? - What happens if they come back? - Will you seal gaps or add door sweeps? - Is web and egg-sac removal included? - Where will you treat, inside and out?

Simple ways to keep spiders away

• Fit a door sweep and replace a worn garage door seal in July, ahead of the wandering season.
• Check crawlspace vent screens each spring and repair any that have torn or rusted through.
• Keep gutters clear and run downspouts away from the foundation so the crawlspace stays drier.
• Move firewood off the ground and away from the house, and wear gloves when carrying it in.
• Trim shrubs and ground cover back from siding so funnel weavers lose their approach.
• Store items in sealed bins on shelves rather than in cardboard on a garage floor.
• Vacuum basement joists, stair undersides, and window wells monthly through the wet months.
• Use warm colored exterior bulbs so fewer insects gather on walls near doors.

Questions people ask

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