In the fall, people are likely to encounter an agrarian sac spider in their Levittown area homes or offices. This is because the arachnid is looking for a warm, safe place to escape the colder, wetter weather.
Unfortunately, the agrarian sac spider is not a welcome guest. They may come into contact with people under a variety of circumstances, such as when they hide in a shoe or the sleeve of a shirt. Similarly, these spiders may be found in the bed sheets, making for an unpleasant nighttime encounter.
The agrarian sac spider may bite a person in these circumstances. Painful and potentially able to kill skin tissue, the bite is definitely an unwanted side effect of agrarian sac spiders coming indoors in the fall. Of course, bites also may occur while people are working in the garden during the summer.
Regardless of when or where they occur, bites from agrarian sac spiders frequently are mistaken for bites from brown recluse spiders. Typically, the bite of the agrarian sac spider is less severe, but victims may experience a sore that heals very slowly, extreme itchiness and some swelling. They might be wise to have the bite examined by a doctor to guard against any severe reactions.
It is very easy for agrarian sac spiders to find their way indoors in the fall. People can prevent this by having regular pest control treatments performed and by ensuring that their home is sealed against unwanted pests. To ensure that the home is secure against such infestations, it is always wise to ask an exterminator to perform regular pest control services. This eliminates critical food sources, forcing the spiders to look elsewhere for a meal.
WHAT AGRARIAN SAC SPIDERS LOOK LIKE
Females of this species may measure between five and 10 millimeters while the males are between four and eight millimeters. Coloration usually is light yellow or cream with dark brown being featured on the chelicerae and the tips of the tarsi. A slightly darker dorsal stripe may be seen running lengthwise down the spider's abdomen. The legs are delicate and long with the front pair being noticeably longer than the other three pairs.
WHERE DO AGRARIAN SAC SPIDERS LIVE?
During the daylight hours, agrarian sac spiders are most likely to be found concealed in their sac, which is a web mass that is built for resting. The sac is a tubular shape and usually measures about one-inch long. Openings may be left at one or both ends, or there may be no openings at all. One agrarian sac spider may make several sacs, so it can be difficult to tell precisely how many such spiders are living in a certain place.
At night, the agrarian sac spider emerges from the sac to hunt. A silken thread may serve as a bridge to help the spider move from one place to another, making it easy for the spider to run along twigs and branches. This species also is known to float over surprisingly long distances using silken threads. On the ground, the agrarian sac spider is a fast mover and may be found among leaf litter or plants.
Sacs may be established in people's homes in spots that are relatively undisturbed, cluttered and dark. This means that garages, sheds, attics and basements are likely resting sites, though these spiders may be found in other rooms.
WHAT DO AGRARIAN SAC SPIDERS EAT?
These nocturnal spiders are capable of running fast, a characteristic that helps them hunt prey like common garden and agricultural pests. Because they eat so many other pests, some gardeners actually believe that agrarian sac spiders are a beneficial species. They further feed on other spiders, and they will eat the eggs of a variety of insects and spiders. Should food become scarce, the agrarian sac spider may eat her own eggs.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY AGRARIAN SAC SPIDERS
These spiders are not destructive as a species. However, given their propensity for building multiple sacs at once, they may leave behind quite a mess for the homeowner to clean up.
ARE AGRARIAN SAC SPIDERS AGGRESSIVE?
People do sometimes consider spiders of this species to be aggressive. Usually, this is because this spider's bite is painful and can become necrotic. The reality is that agrarian sac spiders actually prefer to avoid people as much as possible. Bites usually only occur when people are working in the garden and accidentally contact one of these spiders or when the spider is hunting in a place like a shoe or a piece of clothing.
DO AGRARIAN SAC SPIDERS CARRY DISEASE?
Agrarian sac spiders are not known is not to spread illness to human victims. Nonetheless, a bite from this spider does transfer venom which often results in a red welt, and the center of the wound may be mildly necrotic. As long as no infection is introduced, the bite will heal with a bit of time. Some cases may see a more severe bite wound that will be accompanied by symptoms such as being nauseated or having a headache and dizziness.
However, some people do develop a rare complication that involves rotting flesh. This is because the venom this spider transmits with its bite contains a chemical known as cytotoxin. Cytotoxin is responsible for creating the necrosis at the center of the bite wound, and this development frequently is what makes people fear that they were bitten by a brown recluse spider. People who believe they are experiencing a severe reaction or necrosis as the result of a spider bite are encouraged to seek medical attention.
HOW TO DETECT AGRARIAN SAC SPIDERS
Indications of a sac spider issue include:
• Several sacs found in the garden or the house • Spiderlings found in the home • Yellowish spiders being found in any room
HOW TO PREVENT AGRARIAN SAC SPIDERS
To help keep sac spiders at bay, the following steps should be taken:
• Place woodpiles well away from structures • Eliminate yard debris piles • Keep vegetation in the garden trimmed • Prevent tree limbs and plants from touching building exteriors • Have regular pest control inspections and treatments performed to eliminate food sources • Get rid of clutter in garages, basements, attics and sheds • Seal up cracks and holes in the home's exterior
HOW TO TREAT FOR AGRARIAN SAC SPIDERS
Proper spider treatment involves the detection and elimination of all webs. If this is not done, spiders are likely to re-infest the structure. Generally, spider infestations should be treated by a pest control professional with the equipment and experience to get the job done safely and effectively.
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, Inc., we do not take your spider problems lightly. That is 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.
