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Spider ControlJanuary 8, 2022

How do Spiders Survive the Winter Months?

How do Spiders Survive the Winter Months?


Spiders are classified as ‘Arachnids,’ which are very different from ‘Insects.’ Arachnids have eight legs, no antennae, and no wings. There are about 45,000 different types of Spiders in the world, and they are found on every continent except Antarctica. Spiders are cold-blooded, highly adaptable creatures, and they have evolved to withstand sub-zero temperatures.

How do spiders survive winter?

Naturally, spiders begin a winter-hardening process once the weather gets cold. Their bodies undergo a chemical change and build an anti-freeze substance, very similar to the anti-freeze we put in our vehicles. This waxy coating reduces the spiders’ freezing temperature and makes them more tolerant to cold. With this defense system, spiders easily live in their natural habitat, that’s mostly in piles of leaves and the crevices of tree barks. As a result, they probably won’t need your home’s central heating or a fireplace.

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Spiders do not hibernate; instead, they remain in a sort of “diapause,†meaning they come out of hiding on warmer days in search of food. This means if they can’t find enough prey outside, they might enter your home.

Though most spiders are non-aggressive and are nothing more than a nuisance, you may still not like the idea of sharing your living space with crawling creatures. In fact, arachnophobia (the fear of spiders) is the real reason most people want to get rid of them. So what can you do to have a safe, pest-free living space for your family?

Universal Pest & Termite can do the job for your home in Virginia Beach and surrounding areas. We are a locally owned and operated business working for 18 years to offer quality pest control services to our customers.

Our Border-Guard pest program ensures that spiders and other insects won’t crawl in your home. Our experts do all the necessary inspections and treat the problematic areas to give you a comfortable home.

House spiders in winters

Top view of a person reaching for a cup of tea on a wooden table with a camera and phone.

The spider control virginia beach re are diverse species of spiders, some live through winters without a problem, some lay eggs in fall and die, and others have evolved to live indoors in the hidden dark places of your homes. And these are the house spiders you spot under the sink and in the corners of your closed cabinets.

House spiders live in dark places with lots of moisture, and they happily set into spaces where they have the least chance of getting disturbed. If your house has become home to these spiders, you’ll probably often see them hopping around in search of prey. They’re more common in summer and summer, the mating season for the spiders. But it doesn’t mean your house has no spiders in winter. They’re always there, just waiting for the right time to come out.

House spiders live for one to two years; some species like ‘grass spider’ and ‘daddy long legs’ lay eggs in the fall, and the mature spider dies. However, their egg sacs remain attached to the furniture, cabinets, or curtains until summer when the young spiders hatch. Other species like ‘wolf spiders’ live through the winter with the help of their anti-freeze mechanism.

You won’t even realize they’re there until the summer, but these house spiders will be increasing their numbers inside egg sacs. As soon as the temperature rises, they’ll be coming out of these hidden spaces to look for a mate and food. To save yourself from the horror, it’s better to get rid of them before they become a big problem. To do that, you’ll have to find and eliminate those egg sacs, and it’s best to call a pest control expert if you don’t want to risk yourself or your family.

Our Exclusive Uni-Guard Program for Spider Control and Termite Control will do the job for you. If you’re anywhere in Virginia Beach or around Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, you can always call the Universal pest and Termite control for all your pest control needs. Our Uni-Guard program offers unlimited pest control treatment both inside and outside, along with year-round emergency returns. We’ll fully customize a package as per your needs. With this plan, you can stay rest assured that you have a pest-free home, whatever the season might be.

How to keep spiders out of the house

Fortunately, spiders are not impossible to keep out of your home. With a few easy measures, you will be able to evict the unwanted house spiders.

  • Make sure that the doors and windows close properly. Seal the cracks and openings in the walls.
  • Inspect your attic and basement for any cracks or holes. Spiders may be using these areas as their entry points into your home. A good pest control company will emphasize doing these two points first.
  • Keep any refuse or firewood away from the house. Spiders like to make these places their home.
  • Vacuum regularly, especially in corners and closets.
  • Make a habit of cleaning up the hardly cleaned areas like behind the fridge or oven.
  • Wipe down any spider webs you see. You can also spray the corners with some insecticide.
  • Get rid of a fruit fly or gnat infestations. Spiders come after these insects.

The U.S.A has 3500 different types of spiders; while most are completely harmless, a few like ‘black widow’ and ‘brown recluse’ can be life-threatening. Even if they might not bite you, the risk of allergen is there. So if you don’t know how to handle spiders, we urge you to call a professional spider exterminator and let them take care of the problem for you. A bit of investment in preventive measures will help you save big bucks later.

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Why Universal

How We Compare to Other Pest Control Companies

Not every pest control company in Hampton Roads offers the same thing. Here is a straight comparison of what you get with Universal Pest Control and what is common elsewhere in the industry.

Comparison of Universal Pest & Termite, Inc. against common practice among other pest control companies serving Hampton Roads.
UniGuard ProgramExclusive
Universal Pest Control

Termite protection and full pest control combined in one membership for one low monthly payment — from $59/month, with the termite warranty and quarterly pest service included together.

Most pest control companies

Termite protection and pest control are usually sold as two separate agreements, with two renewals and two bills to keep track of.

SmartPay financingExclusive
Universal Pest Control

$0-down payment options on termite treatments, baiting systems, and repairs, so the work can start before payday. Simple, predictable monthly payments.

Most pest control companies

Financing, where it is offered, is commonly arranged separately through a third-party lender.

Pest Guard Attic Insulation™Exclusive
Universal Pest Control

Hampton Roads' only licensed Pest Guard Insulation™ installer, through our sister company Universal Insulation Doctor — insulation manufactured with an EPA-registered pest preventative, so the replacement itself resists the insects that ruined the original.

Most pest control companies

Attic insulation is typically referred out, and standard fiberglass has no pest deterrent built into the material.

Total Home Health Network
Universal Pest Control

Pest and termite control, attic insulation, and duct cleaning coordinated under one roof through the Universal family of companies — one point of contact for the whole job, done in the right order.

Most pest control companies

Pest control only. Insulation and duct work are usually booked with separate vendors on separate timelines.

A+ BBB rating
Universal Pest Control

BBB accredited since 2007 with an A+ rating, earned through consistent, honest work in the same community.

Most pest control companies

Accreditation and ratings vary by company — worth checking before you book anyone.

26+ years in business
Universal Pest Control

Protecting Hampton Roads homes since 2000 — more than 26 years in the same market, with over 100,000+ homes serviced.

Most pest control companies

Tenure in the area varies widely; newer branches and recently opened franchises are common.

Family owned & operated
Universal Pest Control

Owned and run by a family that has lived in Hampton Roads their whole lives. The people who answer the phone and the crews at your door are your neighbors.

Most pest control companies

Ownership varies — many local branches are franchises of national brands, with crews dispatched from outside the area.

Guarantees in writing
Universal Pest Control

Pest-Free Guarantee and Termite-Free Guarantee: if pests come back between scheduled visits, so do we, at no extra charge. Free inspections, plus same-day and next-day service.

Most pest control companies

Retreatment terms, callback windows, and what counts as covered differ from contract to contract.

The highlighted Universal Pest & Termite column reflects services we provide directly or through the Universal family of companies. The “Most pest control companies” column describes common industry practice in general terms and is not a statement about any particular company — some companies may offer services that are similar, so ask any provider exactly what their plan, warranty, and quote include before you sign. Financing on approved credit.