Professional Pest Control Biz

How to Identify and Control Spider Infestations in Kuala Lumpur Homes and Businesses

• Jacky
• February 28, 2023
• 0

Introduction

Spiders are arachnids, typically with eight legs and two body parts. This makes spiders a very different type of creature than other data you will find in your home or business. In Kuala Lumpur, there are numerous types of spiders that can become infestations in homes and businesses.

Identifying the type of spider, recognizing the signs of infestation, learning the effects they have on your environment and understanding ways to control spider infestations are all important steps to maintain a healthy home or business.

By understanding and controlling spider infestations, Kuala Lumpur residents and business owners can help protect their properties from damage caused by these pests. Knowing how to identify different types of spiders, as well as their behavior patterns will lead to adequately implementing methods to prevent and control re-infestations.

Experts suggest that early detection is key when trying to eliminate a spider infestation; an experienced professional can inform you whether treatment is necessary or if natural methods are sufficient for pest elimination or management. Left unchecked, spider infestations can cause several problems including health risks for people living in the affected area.

Types of Spiders in Kuala Lumpur

Identifying the types of spiders in Kuala Lumpur can be important for controlling spider infestations in homes and businesses. Different spiders have different habits, so it is important to correctly identify them.

In this section, we will discuss the common spiders found in Kuala Lumpur and what to look out for when dealing with them.

Common House Spiders

In Kuala Lumpur, there are a variety of spiders that can find their way into your home or business. Though all spider species present some level of nuisance, certain ones are more commonly linked to infestations. Being familiar with these common house spiders and the potential control methods can help you best manage an infestation.

Common house spiders found in Kuala Lumpur homes and businesses include:

• Cobweb spiders: Cobweb spiders, which belong to the family Theridiidae, can be identified by their spindly legs, radial web patterns and orderly arrangement of capture spirals when building a web. They lay eggs in silk egg sacs and will overwinter in sheltered places such as attics and basements. These small territorial arachnids like dark nooks and crannies to set up shop. Not considered dangerous, cobweb spiders are mostly nuisance pests that can be managed using insecticides or repellants such as essential oils.
• Jumping spiders: Jumping spider species generally rank among one of the most common types found around homes in Malaysia. It’s fairly easy to identify them based on their unique jumping behavior – they jump several times their body length with such agility that it almost looks like flying! Luckily this type of spider is not dangerous either; however they don’t pose much threat but they should still be dealt with because they create webs on windowsills which demonstrates their presence in the area. Insecticides or cleaning off webs by hand will help reduce a jumping spider population if there is an infestation within your home or office space.

Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are perhaps one of the most common species of spider found in homes and businesses in Kuala Lumpur. These small to medium Australian-native spiders usually range from 12-20 millimeters in length with a brown and gray coloring.

Wolf spiders are known to be aggressive hunters, outcompeting other species such as houseflies and mosquitoes for food sources. Because they rely more on their keen eyesight than webs for hunting, wolf spiders can often be found hiding in dark corners and crevices within the environment. However, if provoked, these typically non-aggressive creatures may bite humans – but any reaction is usually mild.

Wolf spiders can easily infest an area by crawling through even tiny cracks around window frames or doors and may require special control measures to get rid of them completely.

Jumping Spiders

Jumping spiders are a group of spiders that can be found all around the world, including in Kuala Lumpur. They are easily recognized by their small, squat bodies and unmistakable jumping abilities. Jumping spiders may be black, brown or mottled, and have four pairs of eyes with prominent front central eyes.

Though these spiders can jump up to 20 times their own body length, they are harmless to humans and pets. Their diet consists mostly of small insects like aphids and flies, which makes them beneficial to have around the home or garden where they will help keep the insect population in check. While jumping spiders may look fearsome at first glance, they can actually prove helpful when it comes to pest control.

There are several common types of jumping spiders found in Kuala Lumpur that you should know about:

• Wolf Spiders: These medium-sized spiders range from dark gray to black with white stripes down their back. Wolf spiders prefer living outdoors where they hunt for food at night by running after their prey.
• Bold Jumping Spiders: These little black-and-white spotted arachnids do not build webs but use camouflage instead which makes them difficult to spot in certain green backgrounds like bushes or gardens. Despite their intimidating appearance as they leap several inches in the air without warning, bold jumping spiders rarely bite humans and pose no real threat unless threatened or provoked directly.
• Salticidae Species: These brightly colored jumping spider species can reach up to 5 millimeters long and come in a variety of hues including shades of bright yellow and orange with contrasting black spots on its body. Found mainly on foliage plants like ornamentals but sometimes also inside buildings, Salticidae Species usually don’t bite unless provoked directly or picked up by humans without protection such as gloves.

Knowing how to properly identify different species of jumping spiders is essential for protecting your home from an infestation because these arachnids don’t build webs like many other types of spider species do. Although it is rare for these harmless jumpers to establish an infestation indoors if left unchecked for a long period of time, it is important that you take the necessary steps immediately if you suspect that your home has been invaded by any type of spider species–especially those from the Salticidae family–in order to prevent any potential issues from arising further down the line!

Huntsman Spiders

Huntsman spiders, also known as giant crab spiders, are commonly found in urban environments during warm weather. Found throughout Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia, these large arachnids typically measure from 1 to 5 inches in length. A huntsman spider’s appearance can range from dull gray to brown or black depending on the species; some individuals may feature distinctive white stripes running along the sides of their bodies. Unlike other common spider pests, Huntsman spiders do not create webs for trapping prey; rather, these spiders rely on quickness and stealth to hunt prey down.

As with other spiders, Huntsman spiders reproduce by laying egg sacs filled with hundreds of eggs. Each female lays multiple sacs in their lifetime that overwinter before hatching in early spring. After the emergence of young spiders, they molt up to eight times until they reach maturity, an often lengthy process that may take place over a year or more depending on the species and environmental conditions.

To control Huntsman spider populations inside a structure, it is important to remove potential shelter/breeding areas such as wood piles located around the outside perimeter of homes and businesses as well as cracks within foundations and walls that can act as points of entry into buildings. Additionally, measures should be taken to reduce excess moisture around structures by properly ventilating attics and crawlspaces through proper insulation installation when needed, sealing leaky pipes or water lines causing damage around windowsills or doorways—all situations which can attract an abundance of insects which may result in greater numbers of Huntsman Spider populations present near by homes/buildings.

Fishing Spiders

Fishing spiders make up a family of spiders known as Pisauridae. These eight-legged aquatic invertebrates are commonly found in Kuala Lumpur, both in fresh and brackish water habitats. Fishing spiders have long legs that are used to cast webs or feeling the vibrations of their prey while they stalk them. They prefer to stay near areas of shallow water where they can easily capture their prey which includes small fish, insects, amphibians and marine organisms like mollusks and crustaceans.

During the day, fishing spiders can be found on rocks or leaves near ponds and can be heard chittering with a loud sound when disturbed.

There are several species of fishing spider found in Kuala Lumpur including:

• Broad Banded Fishing Spider (Dolomedes latithorax)
• Water Leopard (Nilus plumbarius)
• Emerald Long Armed Spider (Tetragnatha attenuata)

These spiders vary in size from one inch to four inches in length with bright green or yellow stripes along the body depending on the species.

To control these spiders it is recommended to reduce sources of food, remove standing water around homes, keep basements dry and use insecticides with caution as they may harm other beneficial organisms as well as cause a greater infestation than before.

Signs of Spider Infestations

Knowing the signs of a spider infestation can help you detect the presence of these pests early so that you can take the right steps to control them. Common indicators of a spider problem include:

• Cobwebs in corners
• Webs on the outside of the building
• The presence of dead spiders near windows or doors.

If you observe any of these signs, you may need to take steps to identify and control the infestation.

Webs

Spiders tend to stay away from human activity, so they build their webs in places that go unnoticed, such as in dark corners, under furniture or behind curtains. Webs can be quite delicate and may not be visible during a quick visual inspection, so it helps to run your fingers along the areas where you suspect spider activity. If you do feel something like a very fine thread or gossamer-like material on the walls or ceiling, it’s likely a spiderweb.

Another telltale sign of spiders is their droppings, which appear as small grayish-black splotches that look like peppered spots ranging from 1-2 millimeters round. These are collected from insect bodies that have been wrapped up in silk by the hunter spider as its prey — and if you’re seeing these droppings around your home, then it’s highly likely you have an infestation.

If you find webbing around your home or business, then it’s highly likely that spiders are present and should be addressed right away. It is important to recognize the signs of an infestation early on in order to contain it quickly and effectively before the spiders begin multiplying into a bigger problem.

Droppings

Spider droppings are one of the primary indicators of a potential spider infestation in your home. Spider droppings, or fecal matter, are typically small and dark in appearance, often with a cone shape at one end. They tend to be found near spiders’ webs or possible nest sites, so if you’re seeing these around your home it’s a sign of an active infestation.

Spider droppings may also be accompanied by:

• shed exoskeletons
• egg casings

These are usually found close to webs as well. All of these together can provide further evidence of an infestation, so it’s important to pay attention to what you find and look for tendencies that point towards a problem. If you do have an issue with spider droppings, the best course is always to consult a professional exterminator who can take corrective action and rid your home of the pests.

Egg Sacs

Female spiders, even of the same species, may produce a wide variety of egg sacs. Some create neat, oblong eggs sacs, some look irregular and sporty, and all are enclosed in webs spun together for protection. Depending on the species of spider, egg sacs can range from a white or tan in color to being almost translucent.

You’ll likely find spider egg sacs in secluded areas like basements and attics as well as in tight crevices outside such as behind window frames and under roof eaves. Parsing out where exactly you’ve found spider egg sacs can be an especially helpful clue to any arachnologist looking to identify your spider problem.

Inspecting your home or business for signs of an infestation is always recommended before treating it with pesticides or other chemicals meant to control the problem. Common signs include:

• Seeing live spiders inside or around your home or business.
• Finding discarded shed skins around windowsills or corners which could indicate adult spiders emerging from them after molting.
• Finding clusters of small silk webs with numerous yellowish eggs laid side by side within them (these are usually spider egg sacs).
• Finding small insects caught in web clutches indicating there is a large presence of spiders that feed on these insects.

Prevention and Control

Spider infestations can be a problem in homes and businesses in Kuala Lumpur, and it is important to be aware of the steps that need to be taken to prevent and control them. There are several strategies that can be used to prevent and control spider infestations, from understanding their behavior to using chemical and non-chemical control methods.

In this article, we will discuss key prevention and control methods that can be used to help control spider infestations in homes and businesses in Kuala Lumpur:

Eliminate Entry Points

Eliminating entry points is an important step in preventing and controlling a spider infestation in your Kuala Lumpur home or business. By reducing areas where spiders may enter, you will be limiting their access to your indoor environment. Here are some steps you can take:

• Inspect your property and identify any gaps, cracks or crevices around windows, doors screens and other areas. Seal these off with silicon caulk or steel wool on the outside of the building.
• Inspect any vents, chimneys or openings around air conditioning units for any signs of spider infestations and seal off with wire mesh or steel wool.
• Check for any damage around utility pipes that may be providing an easy entry spot for spiders into your building. Repair these with caulking compound if possible, or seal them off with steel wool as an alternative solution.
• Cover foundation vents properly using hardware cloth fabric to prevent spiders from entering through these areas. Pay particular attention to the basement area as this is where most spiders like to hide during cooler months of the year.
• Trim back trees, shrubs and ivy from walls and siding so that it does not touch them, as it provides an easy platform for spiders to get into your home without having to crawl up walls/ sidings/ window frames etc.
• Keep outdoor lighting at a minimum since brighter outdoor lights attract more bugs which then attracts more spiders. Motion sensor LEDs are a great idea since they switch on when they detect motion but switch off once the movement has stopped – therefore limiting nocturnal insect activity within a certain area.

Reduce Clutter

One of the best ways to reduce the risk of a spider infestation in your home or business is to keep clutter to a minimum. Spiders like dark, cramped spaces, such as closets and basements, for harborage, so getting rid of all extra items that you don’t need will naturally reduce the number available hiding places.

Thoroughly clean all storage rooms and closets; vacuum, sweep and mop floors; dust on top of cupboards and shelves; and replace broken seals around windows and exterior doors. All these steps should be taken in order to remove potential nesting sites from any room.

Another way you can reduce the likelihood of spider infestation is by ensuring there are no gaps in exterior walls or open windows that spiders can enter through. Check to make sure window frames and outside walls are not broken or loose so that spiders cannot crawl through tiny cracks or holes. Additionally, ensure your screen door is tightly sealed around its edges and in good condition so that spiders cannot find their way into your home through an access point on a screen door. Proper maintenance can do wonders towards preventing a spider problem inside your house or business.

Remove Spider Habitats

Identifying and removing areas where spiders may live in and around a home or business is essential in preventing and controlling spider activity. Since spiders feed on a variety of insects, it is important to reduce any conditions favorable to the infestation of these pests.

A few ways to reduce potential habitats for spiders around the home or workplace include:

• Sealing off any openings, such as cracks in walls or under windows, doors and gaps in plumbing fixtures.
• Eliminating excess moisture with dehumidifiers, properly functioning drains and keeping pipes sealed.
• Maintaining clean yards by raking up dead leaves and disposing of weeds, mulch or debris piles that could attract bugs (which in turn attract spiders).
• Keeping the premises free from clutter as this provides hiding places for spiders.
• Trimming overgrown trees and shrubs as they provide safe harborage spots for both spiders as well as their prey species.
• Removing wood, cardboard or paper clutter since these items offer hiding locations for them.
• Keeping garbage areas covered to discourage insect activity that could attract spiders looking for meals.

Use Insecticides

Insecticides can be used to take control of a spider infestation in Kuala Lumpur homes and businesses. Most insecticides that are labeled for solutions concerning indoors spiders are formulated as aerosols or dusts that can me applied along wall-floor junctures, crawl spaces, and other harborage areas to kill spiders and the other pests they feed on.

There are several insecticides which can be used safely in the home or business to control spiders. These include products containing pyrethrins, Tetramethrin, Permethrin, and Diazinon.

It is important to read labels carefully when using an insecticide indoors and always follow all safety precautions when working with pesticides. It may also be necessary to use a combination of different methods in order to effectively get rid of a spider problem – for example, a web remover might need to be combined with an insecticide for complete eradication of the spiders’ presence.

Besides insecticide application, some evidence suggests that vacuuming carpets can help reduce spider numbers by removing their prey as well as webs from carpets and other fabrics within the building to remove their hiding places.

Conclusion

Spider infestations can be a nuisance in homes and businesses in Kuala Lumpur, but learning how to identify and correctly control them can prevent long-term issues.

By removing potential food sources such as insects, storing items away from walls and corners, sealing cracks and crevices around windows and doors, installing door sweeps or screens on windows or vents, regularly cleaning a residence or business with a vacuum cleaner, using chemical treatments as a last resort when necessary, and even purchasing scented items that spiders do not like – all of these steps can help to identify and control spider infestations now and prevent future occurrences.

By employing the above tips in combination with one another, you can take the necessary steps towards making sure your home or business remains safe from spider invasions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the tell-tale signs of a spider infestation?

A. Common signs of a spider infestation include webs in corners or ceilings, spiders on walls and ceilings, and large numbers of spiders in the home or business.

Q. What can I do to get rid of a spider infestation?

A. To get rid of a spider infestation, use a vacuum cleaner to remove webs, spiders, and egg sacs. Seal any cracks or crevices that can provide an entry point for spiders. Avoid leaving food out and keep outdoor lights off at night to reduce the number of insects that attract spiders. Place sticky traps in areas where spiders are likely to enter, and use insecticide sprays to kill spiders.

Q. Is it safe to use insecticides to control spiders?

A. Yes, insecticides can be used to control spiders, but they should be used with caution. Always follow the instructions on the insecticide label and use protective clothing and equipment when applying it.