Spiders in industry: Challenges in food processing, warehousing and pharmaceutical sectors

While spiders play an essential role in natural ecosystems by controlling insect populations, their presence in industrial spaces, like food processing facilities, warehouses, and pharmaceutical, can pose some serious challenges.

Spiders often find their way into various industrial settings, including food production, storage facilities, and pharmaceutical environments. Although they help keep pest numbers in check, spiders in these sectors may raise issues, especially where hygiene and safety are top priorities. In industries like food processing and pharmaceuticals, a strict standard of cleanliness is key and any sign of pests, including spiders, can disrupt that.

In this article, Rentokil explores common spider species found in industrial environments, their unique traits within specific sectors and effective methods to manage them - ensuring adherence to the strict hygiene and safety standards vital to these industries.

Types of spiders commonly found in industrial settings

Here are three spider types frequently encountered in food processing plants, warehouses and pharmaceutical facilities:

1. Warehouse spider (Achaearanea tepidariorum)

Warehouse spiders are particularly common in warehouses and food processing areas. Scientifically named Achaearanea tepidariorum, these spiders are known to nest in dark corners, hidden areas, or spots that are hard to clean regularly. Medium-sized, between 5–10 mm, and brown to grey in color, they may not pose a direct threat, but their presence can raise concerns during hygiene inspections.

2. Wolf spider (Lycosidae)

The wolf spider is generally larger than the warehouse spider, measuring 5 to 30 mm in body size. In industrial environments, wolf spiders known scientifically as Lycosidae - which often roam open areas, such as factory or warehouse floors, hunting smaller insects.

Their grey to brown color makes them easy to spot, and seeing them in a food production setting can be disconcerting to employees.

3. House spider (Tegenaria domestica)

Despite the name, house spiders (Tegenaria domestica) aren’t just found in homes; they also turn up in pharmaceutical facilities and offices within industrial spaces. House spiders are generally small to medium-sized (6–12 mm) and tend to build webs in room corners or on shelves.

While they’re not harmful, their webs can give an impression of uncleanliness that might affect hygiene perceptions, especially in pharmaceutical production areas.

Characteristics of spiders in industrial settings

Spiders in industrial settings often exhibit certain characteristics that distinguish them from other pests. Here’s what to look for when identifying them:

1. Distinct body structure

With their two primary body segments (cephalothorax and abdomen) and eight long legs, spiders are easy to identify. However, in sectors like food processing and pharmaceuticals where cleanliness is critical, their very appearance can be off-putting.

2. Webbing in hard-to-reach spots

Spiders often construct webs in corners, behind machinery, or in storage crevices. In food processing and pharmaceutical environments where strict hygiene and safety are required, webs can disrupt operations and even lead to additional inspections by regulatory authorities.

3. Diet of small insects

Spiders are natural predators of small insects that might also be present in industrial spaces, such as flies and mosquitoes. While they play a role in controlling insect populations, spiders are still viewed as pests in industries that prioritize cleanliness, like food processing and pharmaceuticals.

Effective spider control for industrial settings

Getting rid of spiders in industrial environments calls for a professional approach that aligns with hygiene standards. Here are a few recommended methods for managing spiders:

1. Routine and thorough cleaning

Areas like production floors or storage spaces need regular, thorough cleaning, including corners, spaces behind machinery, and beneath storage racks. Frequent cleaning helps prevent webs from forming in hard-to-reach areas.

2. Sealing gaps and openings in production

Spiders often enter through gaps in walls or doors. Sealing any openings that might serve as entry points can reduce the spider population in storage or production areas.

3. Controlling other insect infestations gaps and openings in production

Since spiders feed on smaller insects, controlling or managing the populations of these insects can indirectly help keep spider numbers low. Engaging pest control services for other pests can prevent spiders from establishing themselves in industrial settings.

4. Enlisting help of professional pest control services

A professional pest control provider is the most effective way to manage spiders safely. Pest control specialists, particularly those experienced in industries like food processing and pharmaceuticals, know how to apply methods that meet strict safety and hygiene standards.

Is your business facing spider problems?

The spider infestation in food processing, warehousing, or pharmaceutical facilities may not always pose an immediate risk, but it can disrupt essential hygiene and safety standards. If you’re noticing a large number of spiders or want to ensure your facility remains spider-free, consider Rentokil’s professional pest control services for effective solutions. 

Contact Rentokil at 150808 or complete our online form today to take control of spider issues and create a cleaner, safer environment for your business.