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Spider control for Commercial premises
It’s not unusual to see spiders in your restaurant, especially in areas where food is stored and prepared. Restaurants offer plenty of the conditions that spiders thrive in—warmth, moisture, and storage areas for them to hide in. With doors regularly opening and shutting as your customers come and go, spiders are able to take advantage of this easy access, making their way inside to seek out food and shelter. While most types of spiders are harmless, these creatures can bring risks to your restaurant and affect your customers' dining experience.
Why are spiders a concern in restaurants?
Spiders in restaurants can cause several problems:
Food safety: Spiders feed on smaller insects like flies and cockroaches. These pests can carry germs, and when spiders live in the kitchen or dining areas, they may contaminate surfaces where food is prepared or served. This can lead to food safety issues.
Customer experience: Finding spiders in a restaurant can make customers feel uncomfortable. Webs and spiders can make your restaurant look dirty and unprofessional, leading to negative customer reviews.
Bites and health risks: Most spiders are harmless. However, some, like the yellow sac spider, can bite when they feel threatened. These bites aren't usually harmful. However, they can irritate and cause discomfort, and may need to be checked by a medical professional. Staff and customers may be at risk if they accidentally disturb this type of spider.
What attracts spiders to restaurants?
There are several reasons why spiders may be drawn to your restaurant. Spiders feed on small insects, and food preparation areas attract pests, which in turn can attract spiders.
Spiders prefer warm and humid areas, which make kitchens, storage rooms, and basements ideal environments for them. Spiders can also be attracted to damp areas like leaky pipes or dishwashing areas, which is why they are often spotted in kitchens. They also prefer quiet places to hide during the day, so they can often be found in spaces like storage areas or corners behind equipment.
Signs of spider infestations in your restaurant
Some of the common signs of a spider infestation include:
- Webs - If you notice webs in corners, on walls, or near appliances, spiders might be settling in your restaurant. Spiders create webs to catch food, which is a clear sign that they’re present.
- Egg sacs - Spider egg sacs are tiny and usually white or cream-colored. These sacs can be found in or near webs. If you see several egg sacs, it’s a sign that there’s a spider infestation in your restaurant.
- Frequent sightings - Seeing more than one spider in a short period of time could mean you have a problem. If you’re spotting multiple spiders in the kitchen or dining areas, you should take action as soon as possible.
- Spider droppings - Spiders leave small dark spots behind, often near their webs. These droppings may look like round white and black spots. If you notice a lot of these, it’s another sign that spiders may be living in your restaurant.
Common types of spiders found in restaurants
Here are a few of the different types of spiders you may encounter:
Common house spiders
The common house spider, also known as Parasteatoda tepidariorum, is in the family Theridiidae. It is brown with a round body and is often found in kitchens, basements, and storage areas. These spiders are not dangerous but can create large webs, which may be unsightly for customers and staff. They can help by catching pests like flies and ants, but their webs can quickly pile up. Kitchen spider types like the common house spider often build webs in the corners of rooms.
Cellar spiders
Cellar spiders have long, thin legs and small bodies. These spiders enjoy damp, dark spaces, so they’re commonly found in basements or behind appliances in restaurants. While cellar spiders are helpful because they eat other spiders and insects, their messy webs can be unsightly. These spiders are harmless but can create an unappealing look in your restaurant if their webs aren’t cleaned away regularly.
Jumping spiders
Jumping spiders are small and active. Unlike other spiders, they don’t build webs to catch food. Instead, they hunt small insects on their own. They are often black or brown and have distinctive markings. Jumping spiders are commonly found on windowsills or countertops in kitchens. While they aren’t harmful, they can bite if they feel threatened. Their quick movements can make them more noticeable and even alarming to some people.
Yellow sac spiders
Yellow sac spiders are light yellow or greenish in color and can often be found in kitchens and dining rooms. These spiders hide during the day in dark corners or behind furniture and come out at night to hunt. They can be more aggressive than other spiders and may bite if they feel threatened. While their bites are usually not dangerous, they can cause itching and swelling. Their presence in the kitchen or dining area can be especially concerning for restaurant owners due to the potential for bites.
Orb-weaver spiders
Orb-weaver spiders often live outdoors. They spin big, round webs in places like under awnings, around windows, and in outdoor dining areas of commercial buildings. Their webs are easy to see.
Orb-weavers are harmless and help control pests. However, their webs can be annoying in busy outdoor areas.
These spiders often lead to calls about spider problems in commercial buildings. Their webs are easy to see. Regularly removing webs is important for keeping a clean and welcoming exterior.
How to prevent spiders in your restaurant
To avoid a spider infestation in your restaurant, there are several steps you can take:
- Keep things clean: Spiders are attracted to places with a plentiful food supply. Regularly sweep floors and wipe surfaces to keep your restaurant clean from food crumbs and insects that might attract spiders.
- Seal entry points: Spiders can slip through tiny gaps in windows, doors, and walls. Look for small cracks and gaps in your restaurant and seal them to prevent spiders from entering. Pay close attention to areas like door frames and windowsills. Any large exposed areas will require professional help.
- Remove clutter: Spiders like to hide in undisturbed places. Organize storage rooms and avoid stacking boxes or letting things pile up in corners. This will reduce spiders' hiding places and make it easier to spot them if they do appear.
- Control moisture: Spiders thrive in damp places. Fix leaks and use dehumidifiers to make your restaurant less inviting. Check areas around sinks, dishwashers, and storage pipes to prevent moisture buildup and maximize ventilation where possible.
Professional spider control solutions for restaurants
If you're dealing with a spider problem, it's time to get help from our professional spider exterminators. Our expert technicians have extensive experience providing pest control to restaurants and food service businesses. Learn more about our commercial pest control services and book your pest inspection today.
Frequently asked questions
Which spiders are most common in restaurants and kitchens?
Common spiders found in restaurants include common house spiders, cellar spiders, jumping spiders, yellow sac spiders, and orb-weavers. These spiders are usually attracted by food, warmth, and moisture in restaurant environments.
Are restaurant spiders harmful or dangerous to customers or staff?
Common spiders found in restaurants include common house spiders, cellar spiders, jumping spiders, yellow sac spiders, and orb-weavers. These spiders are usually attracted by food, warmth, and moisture in restaurant environments.
Why are spiders drawn to restaurant kitchens specifically?
Spiders are attracted to kitchens in search of food, not necessarily what's on your menu, but the tiny pests that are attracted to spills and leftovers like flies and cockroaches. Kitchens are often warm and humid, which makes them an ideal habitat for many types of spiders.