Formally known as Cheiracanthuim mildei, the long legged sac spider loves to make its home with people and are commonly found in homes and offices throughout the Yardley area. The dark spaces in corners or beneath beds are ideal for this species, which constructs a shelter that looks like a tent in these and similar places.
Unlike some other web-spinning spiders, the long legged sac spider does not create a web to trap prey. Instead, this is a place to rest and gather strength for another foraging venture. This ambush predator frequently is active at night, and it may conceal itself in piles of clothing on the floor, leading to a nasty surprise when someone goes to pick up those discarded items.
Like other spiders, it can be extraordinarily difficult to bring an infestation of long legged sac spiders under control. Spiders generally are resistant to most typical pest control methods, which is why it is recommended that a professional be called in whenever an excessive number of spiders is found in a home or office.
A licensed, well-trained exterminator will approach the problem from many angles, making control of long legged sac spiders and other pests a reality.
WHAT LONG-LEGGED SAC SPIDERS LOOK LIKE
As their name suggests, this species is equipped with inordinately long legs. Each one ends in a black tip, leading to one of this spider's other common names, black-footed spiders. The front legs are noticeably longer than the others. Overall coloration typically is pale yellow to tan, though the spider's diet can affect its color. Accordingly, it is not unusual to see a long legged sac spider that is more orange or green.
A longitudinal stripe that is darker than the rest of the abdomen may be observed. This is the spider's "heart mark," so called because it is roughly placed where the spider's heart is. Long legged sac spiders have two rows of four eyes each, though this is difficult to distinguish without magnification.
WHERE DO LONG-LEGGED SAC SPIDERS LIVE?
This particular spider species is much more likely to be found indoors than out. They like spaces that are dark, cluttered and rarely disturbed by humans. It is typical to see them in a silken sleeping bag at the juncture between a wall and the ceiling. Any spot that is dark and secluded may serve as an excellent place for this spider to place their sleeping quarters. Expect to uncover them beneath the bed, lurking behind clutter or in any dusty and neglected spot.
Long legged sac spiders spend the daylight hours in their retreat, but they emerge at night to hunt. Thus, people are more likely to encounter an active member of this species after the sun goes down.
WHAT DO LONG-LEGGED SAC SPIDERS EAT?
Long legged sac spiders are not known as choosy eaters. Other arthropods and insects of all descriptions may form a part of their diet. This spider is a fast runner and an extremely adept ambush predator.
Nonetheless, it is common for these spiders to also feed on the nectar from a variety of plants.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY LONG-LEGGED SAC SPIDERS
These spiders are not destructive to property, but they do make people extremely uncomfortable. They can move very fast and cling to almost any surface, which means that they frequently are spotted running across the ceiling. Known for lurking in places where people happen upon them unexpectedly, long legged sac spiders deliver a surprisingly painful bite when they are disturbed. It is habits such as these that make this species unwelcome inhabitants in most households.
ARE LONG-LEGGED SAC SPIDERS AGGRESSIVE?
Every year, many people in the local area are unpleasantly shocked by the bite of a long legged sac spider. This species actually prefers to avoid people, and its mostly nocturnal habits help it to accomplish this. Nonetheless, these spiders sometimes conceal themselves in things like a towel or pile of clothes on the floor. When a person picks up or disturbs that pile, they may be in for a nasty bite.
DO LONG-LEGGED SAC SPIDERS CARRY DISEASE?
Although these spiders deliver harrowing bites, they do not transmit a disease when they attack. Still, these wounds are notoriously slow to heal, and on rare occasions, they may form a small necrotic lesion. Swelling and ulcerated sores are common reactions, and bite victims are cautioned to apply an ice pack and elevate the site of the bite if possible to help minimize the reaction.
People sometimes develop symptoms that are more intense or persistent, or an infection may occur. If a secondary infection arises, then medical advice is required. Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the infection.
HOW TO DETECT LONG-LEGGED SAC SPIDERS
Signs of a long-legged sac spider presence include:
• Silken "sleeping bags" found in the upper corners of rooms or at the juncture between a wall and the ceiling • Yellowish spiders lurking beneath beds or in discarded piles of clothing • Painful spider bites that are slow to heal
HOW TO PREVENT LONG-LEGGED SAC SPIDERS
To help prevent issues with long-legged sac spiders the following steps should be taken:
• Frequently dust the upper corners of rooms to remove this spider's sleeping cocoon • Get rid of clutter in all rooms of the house • Refrain from tossing used towels and clothing onto the floor • Regularly dust or vacuum beneath beds and other furniture • Schedule regular pest control services to eliminate food sources • Ensure that the home's exterior is sealed against all pests • Trim foliage so that it cannot touch the home's exterior
HOW TO TREAT FOR LONG-LEGGED SAC SPIDERS
Spider treatment will involve 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.
