The many different varieties of sac spiders are often confused with one another due to their similar habits and traits. However, it is very important for home and business owners to recognize the difference between each subspecies because they can behave in very different ways. Any area home or business owner suspecting they may have long-legged sac spiders should contact a professional pest control expert.
Size: 4 to 10 mm in length
Color: Light brown legs, pale yellow cephalothorax, greenish abdomen
Characteristics: Like all sac spiders, the long-legged sac spider has a row of eyes and very long legs. However, the long-legged sac spider does not have a groove on the upper portion of its cephalothorax like most other sac spiders.
Long-legged sac spiders are commonly seen outside homes and businesses. They stay near entryways, under decks and porches, in shrubberies and tall grasses, or under rocks. They also dwell under siding slats. They will build homes indoors when the weather begins to cool or if they cannot find a dry location outside. Their homes are small, tube like structures that they spin. They are usually seen in rafters, in corners of walls and ceilings, or in darker areas of the building.
Long-legged sac spiders are predators that will eat other spiders and insects. They do not catch their prey in typical spider webs. Rather, they hunt their prey and bite it with a venomous sting. They will also function as scavengers, eating insects that are already dead. The most diet choices of long-legged sac spiders are flies, moths, crickets, and other similarly sized insects.
The most serious damage caused by the long-legged sac spider is that which occurs from its bite. The sac spider bite is very painful. It is often compared to a hornet sting, though symptoms can become quite severe. Swelling that could last from a few hours to a few days. Those who have allergic reactions must seek medical help immediately.
The long-legged sac spider is aggressive and highly energetic. It will fiercely protect itself and its home if it feels threatened. Though the spider is small, its bites can be quite serious. Likewise, they move very quickly, which makes it nearly impossible to keep them in check without the aid of a pest control expert.
The primary diseases associated with long-legged sac spiders are those that come from bites, including:
• Itching or rash
• Pain radiating from the site of the bite
• Muscle pain or cramping
• Reddish to purplish color or blister
• Nausea
Since the long-legged sac spider is known to bite when provoked but with no provocation at all. It is vital to remove these spiders from the area as soon as they are detected.
The silken tubes that the spiders create for their homes are a good sign that a long-legged sac spider is nearby. However, the first sign is usually a series of spider bites. These spiders are both small and nocturnal. It is usually very difficult for a layperson to know that long- legged sac spiders have invaded the home or business until people begin complaining of spider bites.
Long-legged sac spiders largely dwell outdoors, which makes removing them from the area quite difficult. Home and business should regularly clean outdoor debris, wash the sides of the buildings, and inspect structures for the spiders' silken, tube-like homes. Newtown Termite & Pest Control recommends the following measures to help prevent spider infestations:
• Eliminate typical entrance points, such as cracks in foundations
• Repair gaps around windows and doors, and damaged window screens
• Ensure vegetation is not in contact with the structure
• Remove spider webs from the structure
• Regularly vacuum corners of floors and ceilings in rooms and basements
• Seal open storage containers
• Eliminate clutters around the home or office
• Since a continued spider presence is an indication of an insect problem, an inspection with a pest control provider should be scheduled
Courtesy: Newtown Termite & Pest Control, Inc.
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