A dew-covered spiderweb is one of nature’s most beautiful creations. As a homeowner, however, you only want to see that out in the garden – not a dust-covered version in your corner.

The truth about spiders and pest control is that you really can’t get rid of spiders. Any company that claims to do that is flat-out lying. And that’s okay, because in Georgia only two spiders give us cause for concern.

Here’s a general rule about spiders and dangerous spiders: If you see a spider out in the open, it is usually harmless.  A good example is that large, scary spider you might see out in the yard. They’re called wolf spiders. They look like small tarantulas but are quite harmless.

The two to be wary of are the brown recluse and the black widow spider.

I see black widows on a regular basis when checking my rodent bait stations. The stations are dark and hold moisture, and the black widow likes dark, undisturbed settings. The females have the red hour glass shape. The males lack this distinction and are more brown.

The brown recluse has a mark that resembles a violin behind the head.  Old folks call them fiddle -back spiders. They are found in undisturbed areas, hence the name recluse.  Their bite may not be noticed immediately but the poison damages tissue. The damage starts in a small circle and gradually expands. Generally only a bite to a very small child or elderly person can be critical, although people react differently.  The brown recluse bite can develop into a painful experience and if a bite has been suspected one should seek immediate medical attention.

Keeping firewood out of the house until ready to burn and keeping outdoor clutter to a minimum are helpful tips to keep the brown recluse away.

As far as controlling spiders, as I said, there’s no way to keep them out. Spraying kills them on contact, but barrier spray doesn’t work because the tips of their eight legs don’t provide enough area to expose them to chemicals. As part of my quarterly treatments I do knock down as many cobwebs as I see outside your home, which is really the best way to control spiders.