Why Spiders Get Spooky Indoors This Middle Tennessee Fall
There’s a certain charm to October in Middle Tennessee, isn’t there? The leaves turn gold, the air smells like woodsmoke and maybe a little pumpkin spice, and you start pulling out your cozy sweaters. But with all that beautiful fall scenery comes a slightly less charming reality: spider season! While spiders are busy outdoors catching the last of the summer flies, those cooling nights send many of them scurrying toward the coziest, warmest, most protected spot they can find. And wouldn’t you know it, your perfectly nice, warm home is often their first choice!
You might see more webs outside your windows or spot a creepy crawler darting across the floor. Here at Absolute Pest Control, we know that sharing your space with eight-legged tenants is unnerving. Whether you’re in Murfreesboro or Nashville, let’s talk about why spiders get so “spooky” this time of year and how to keep your home comfortably web-free.
The Great Fall Migration: Why Spiders Head for Shelter
Spiders are surprisingly resourceful creatures, and their activity ramps up in the fall for a couple of key reasons:
- The Mating Rush: Fall is prime mating season for many spider species. The large spiders you suddenly see sprinting across your living room floor are often mature males actively searching for females. They are simply trying to fulfill their destiny, bless their hearts, but their destiny shouldn’t be in your entryway!
- The Temperature Drop: Like all cold-blooded critters, spiders are sensitive to temperature changes. While they might be fine catching flies outdoors during a sunny day, the increasingly cold nights send a clear signal: find shelter or perish. Your house offers stable temperatures and plenty of dark, quiet corners.
- Hitching a Ride: Spiders often hide in items we bring indoors during the fall—firewood, cardboard boxes from the garage, or outdoor decorations. Always give these items a good shake or inspection before bringing them inside.
From Outdoors to Attic: Common Fall Spider Hotspots
If spiders are entering your Middle Tennessee home, they are looking for specific types of environments. You can often find them near:
- Windows and Doors: They are the main entry points. Spiders love to set up webs near windows to catch other insects that are trying to get in.
- Basements and Attics: These areas are often undisturbed, providing quiet, dark spots with plenty of hiding places for establishing permanent residence.
- Storage Areas: Closets, utility rooms, and cardboard boxes are favorite spots for spiders to hide and build egg sacs.
- Vents and Pipes: Gaps around dryer vents, plumbing pipes, and under utility boxes are tiny invitations for entry.
Beyond the Shoe: Essential Spider Control and Prevention
While most house spiders are harmless (and actually help control other insects), nobody wants to risk an encounter with a more concerning species like the Brown Recluse, which, unfortunately, does call Tennessee home.
Here’s your plan of attack:
- Exclusion First: This is the most important step! Seal cracks and gaps around the entire exterior of your home. Ensure all window and door screens are tight and free of tears. Install door sweeps where needed.
- Clean and Declutter: Regularly clean and vacuum storage areas, basements, and attics. Reduce clutter, especially cardboard boxes, which are spider favorites for nesting.
- Web Removal: Regularly sweep down any visible webs, both indoors and out. Removing webs also removes egg sacs, preventing future generations.
- Reduce Outdoor Lighting: Switch to yellow “bug lights” on your porch. These attract fewer flying insects, cutting off the spiders’ primary food source near your entry points.
Don’t Let Spiders Take Over Your Fall
If you are seeing an increase in spider activity, especially larger ones or suspected Brown Recluses, it means your home has vulnerable entry points and an abundant food source (other pests). That’s where the professionals come in.
Absolute Pest Control provides targeted spider control that focuses on the source. We apply exterior barrier treatments that deter spiders from crawling across your foundation and treat common entry points. We also focus on eliminating the pests that spiders eat, making your property less desirable overall.
Ready to secure your home from these eight-legged intruders and enjoy a truly cozy, web-free fall?
Give Absolute Pest Control a call today at 615-220-1933 or fill out our online form to schedule your fall pest control service. Absolute Service. Absolute Results. Absolute Peace of Mind!
Find out the common spiders in Middle Tennessee here.
Contact Us
Contact us today for a free consultation and want to keep your family safe from all the pests that may be bothering you. If you have a question about any pest problem, please call us at 615-220-1933 or click HERE to email us. We service most of Middle Tennessee including Smyrna, Murfreesboro, and LaVergne.
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