Gardeners think of spiders as being beneficial thanks to their habit of consuming harmful insects. Nevertheless, that perspective changes when spiders infiltrate indoors spaces.
While some of these spider species are more nuisances than anything else, others have potentially dangerous bites. Additionally, in homes where there is a considerable spider population, it is wise for the homeowner to consider what those spiders are eating. A large population of spiders must be supported by a large number of insects, which can signal a pest problem.
This is why it always makes sense to ask an exterminator to evaluate the situation when numerous spiders are found in a house or office. It is possible that the spiders are feeding on potentially harmful and destructive species such as termites and carpenter ants. These problems are critical to address before eliminating the spider population.
WHAT DO SPIDERS LOOK LIKE?
Female adult agrarian sac spiders generally measure between five and 10 millimeters, with males being between four and eight millimeters. While chelicerae may be dark brown, most of this spider's body ranges between cream color and light yellow.
The broad-faced sac spider has chelicerae and a carapace that are reddish-brown. However, the abdomen is either pale yellow or light gray and sports a dorsal stripe that is darker. The darker, thicker front legs are a distinguishing characteristic. Females may grow to between seven and 10 millimeters, but males are just five to six millimeters.
Common house spiders are mostly yellowish-brown with a dirty white abdomen that features numerous dark stripes. Their spherical abdomen is distinctive, with the females typically measuring between five and eight millimeters and the males growing to about four to five millimeters.
Long-legged sac spiders are similar in size to agrarian sac spiders. Even their coloring is similar to that of their cousins, but they are distinguished by a greenish hint to their abdomen as well as a cephalothorax that is pale yellow.
With their covering of tan, black, gray or brown fur, wolf spiders are quite distinctive when compared to other species. Females may be as much as 6.4 millimeters long, but males do not grow this large.
WHERE DO SPIDERS LIVE?
Some spiders spin webs in elevated locations where they are likely to catch flying prey. Likely spots for finding these webs include light fixtures, the upper corners of window and door frames or the upper corners of rooms. Webs additionally may be placed on the posts of a porch, a deck, a fence or between a tall shrub and the exterior of a building.
Other web-building spiders prefer locations that are on or close to the ground. These spiders direct their hunting efforts toward walking insects. Frequently, these ground-level webs are found in lawns and gardens.
Still other spiders do not spin webs at all. This is the case with the wolf spider, which uses underground burrows for sleep and shelter.
WHAT DO SPIDERS EAT?
In general, spiders eat insects and other arachnids. The way that they hunt for food partly determines precisely what they eat.
For instance, spiders that build webs are more likely to eat flying insects such as mosquitoes, flies, moths and butterflies. Other species are hunting spiders, which means that they conceal themselves in dark or cluttered spaces where they wait for insects like beetles, grasshoppers and crickets to walk or hop by.
WHERE DO SPIDERS LIVE?
Some species, like the related agrarian sac spider, the broad-faced sac spider and long-legged sac spider, are most frequently found lurking among leaf litter or beneath boards or stones. They may inhabit spots beneath a windowsill or a piece of siding.
As their name implies, common house spiders are most frequently encountered in peoples' homes. They are web spinners and are likely to place their webs in elevated locations like the upper corners of rooms, windows or door frames.
Grass spiders, which spin a funnel-shaped web, are likely to place their web across a lawn, weeds or ground covering plants.
The solitary wolf spider tends to be a ground dweller, though they may climb structures such as trees or houses. They may be found lurking among leaf litter, and it also is known that wolf spiders create underground burrows or use burrows that animals have abandoned.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY SPIDERS
Spiders are not among the most destructive of pests. Still, they do cause a great deal of extra work, especially the species that spin webs. This is because a spider may spin several webs before finding the perfect location for capturing prey. All of these early webs are left behind in the corners of rooms, on light fixtures or between the house's siding and nearby plants, and they must be cleared away.
It also is worth considering the psychological and emotional effects that often accompany a spider infestation. Many people have an instinctive aversion to this species, making it difficult for them to sleep or even relax when they know a spider is in the room.
ARE SPIDERS AGGRESSIVE?
Spiders tend to not be aggressive toward people yet they may attack with a bite if they feel threatened. Some of these bites can be dangerous.
DO SPIDERS CARRY DISEASE?
Spiders do not necessarily transmit diseases to human victims, but this does not mean that they are not a health threat.
Species such as the agrarian sac spider and long-legged sac spider have been known to bite without provocation. These bites are painful, but not always serious. Still, some people do have a severe reaction to a bite that may include burning, muscle cramps, nausea, fever and malaise.
The broad-faced sac spider also is known to deliver a painful bite that may bring on medical complications. Secondary infections may ensue thanks to this species' propensity for feeding on dead or decaying arthropods. It may be wise to have suspected bites checked out by a doctor when unusual symptoms occur.
Other spider bites may lead to a bit of itching, swelling and redness for a few hours up to a few days.
HOW TO DETECT SPIDERS
The following signs may indicate the presence of spiders:
• Numerous webs discovered inside the house • Walking through webs when entering or leaving the house • Frequently seeing spiders inside the house
HOW TO PREVENT SPIDERS
To help prevent the spider issues the following steps should be taken:
• Eliminate clutter from around building exteriors, in garages and sheds and inside homes • Knock down outdoor spider webs with a broom on a weekly basis • Frequently dust and vacuum indoors to remove spider webs • Use a power washer to clean the home's exterior once or twice per year • Do not allow branches from trees or plants to touch building exteriors • Seal up or cover any cracks or holes in the building's exterior • Schedule regular pest control inspections and treatments
HOW TO TREAT FOR SPIDERS
Spider treatment involves the detection and elimination of all webs. If this is not done, the spiders are likely to re-infest the structure. Generally, it is not possible to completely eliminate spiders with do-it-yourself products. As such, successful spider eradication should be left for a pest control professional who has the tools and experience to get the job done safely and effectively.
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, Inc., we don't take your spider problems lightly. That's why we use a multifaceted process including the treatment of wall voids, attics, and cracks and crevices throughout the premise with gels, dusts, and other specialized products.
