Pest Guide
Spiders
Spiders are common around Perth homes and gardens, where they are often attracted by shelter and the presence of insects they feed on. While many spiders remain outdoors, some may establish webs or hiding places inside buildings, around roof spaces, garages, sheds and other protected areas.
Common signs include:
- Spiders regularly seen inside or around the property
- Webs around windows, doors and outdoor areas
- Webbing in corners, garages or storage areas
- Spiders hiding beneath furniture or stored items
- Increased activity around outdoor lighting
- Egg sacs or repeated web building
- Spider activity around roof spaces, eaves and sheds
Where Do Spiders Hide?
Spiders generally favour protected areas where they can remain undisturbed or find insects to feed on. Depending on the species, they may be found:
- Around windows and door frames
- Beneath or behind furniture
- In garages and sheds
- Inside roof spaces
- Around eaves and gutters
- In corners and along ceilings
- Among stored items and clutter
- Beneath outdoor furniture
- Around gardens, vegetation and landscaping
What Attracts Spiders?
Spider activity is often influenced by the availability of shelter and other insects. Factors that may contribute to activity around a property include:
- Insects that provide a food source
- Outdoor lighting that attracts insects
- Protected cracks, gaps and corners
- Clutter and stored materials
- Dense vegetation around the building
- Undisturbed garages, sheds and storage areas
- Accessible gaps around windows and doors
- Suitable locations for building webs
How Can You Reduce Spider Activity?
- Remove unnecessary webs around accessible areas
- Reduce clutter in garages, sheds and storage spaces
- Keep vegetation around the building maintained
- Seal accessible gaps around windows and doors where practical
- Keep outdoor areas tidy
- Avoid leaving unused materials stacked against the building
- Reduce conditions that encourage other insect activity
- Regularly clean undisturbed corners and storage areas
When Is Professional Treatment Needed?
Professional pest control may be appropriate when spider activity is persistent, numerous spiders or webs are appearing around the property, or spiders are regularly entering living areas.
A professional treatment can target common harbourage and activity areas around the property while also considering environmental conditions that may be contributing to repeated spider activity.
If a spider is suspected to be medically significant, avoid handling it and keep a safe distance.
