Daddy Long Leg Spiders In DC, MD & VA

Daddy long legs look very similar to spiders, but daddy long legs are not spiders. Learning about these creatures is the best way to keep your home free of these leggy pests. Use our pest guide to learn what attracts daddy long legs and how best to keep these pest out of your Washington DC, Maryland, or Northern Virginia home.

We identify daddy long legs by their extremely long thin legs that extend from their oval body. Like spiders, daddy long legs have two body segments and fang-like mouthparts they use to hold their prey. Daddy long legs cannot spin webs and do not produce venom.

Daddy long legs are also regularly referred to as harvestman spiders. While they are very spider-like, they aren't true spiders. However, they do display the spider-like behavior of feeding on a variety of insects and are beneficial by providing natural pest control.

Daddy long legs are definitely more of a nuisance than a danger. These leggy pests don't produce venom, and their fangs are too short to bite through our skin. These pests often gather in groups, taking over indoor and outdoor spaces. Though these pests aren't dangerous, they indicate that you may be dealing with a widespread pest problem on your property. Like other predators, daddy long legs prefer to hang out in places where they have easy access to their prey.

The summer and fall seasons provide daddy long legs with plenty of insect prey to keep their numbers high. More often than not, our yards are places where they can easily hunt their insect prey and keep their bellies full. 

Daddy long legs are most problematic in areas with high moisture. Overwatered gardens, leaky pipes, and poorly working gutters provide the moisture that attracts these pests. If conditions outside become too dry or there is a lack of prey, daddy long legs will migrate indoors. Once inside, if environmental conditions are right, daddy long legs will make themselves right at home, and convincing them to leave will be difficult!

In our homes, daddy long legs will migrate to areas that will allow them easy access to their insect prey and sources of moisture. Kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, basements, and crawl spaces are typical gathering spots.

In order to enter your home, daddy long legs will take advantage of small openings in its exterior. Cracks in the foundation, torn screens, gaps around windows, vents, and spaces around light fixtures are common entry points.

Places homeowners regularly spot daddy long legs include the corners of showers, around lights, in boxes, around windows, or in other quiet storage areas like cabinets and closets. 

If you are tired of coming face to face with daddy long legs in your home, the professionals at Miche Pest Control are here to help. Our thorough inspections and home pest control services offer the pest protection necessary to remove daddy long legs and keep them from returning.

When it comes to pests, we always recommend being proactive. Our quarterly pest control services will ensure pests will no longer feel at home inside your DC, MD, or VA house throughout the year. Please call today to learn more about our effective residential and commercial pest control options in DC, MD, or VA!

Here are some helpful home pest control tips to stop your house from being overrun by daddy long legs:

• Prune vegetation back away from the exterior of your home.
• Make sure your home's windows and doors have intact screens and weatherstripping.
• Seal cracks in your foundation, exterior walls, and roof line. 
• Place screens over vents, drains, and chimneys.
• If you spot daddy long legs or their webs in your home, use a vacuum to remove them. 

For more information about maintaining a home free of daddy long legs and other pests, please call Miche Pest Control today!