Spiders

As many as 35,000 different spiders exist worldwide, with approximatley 3,000 living in North America. Many spiders are considered household/ structure infesting pests. All spiders are predators, feeding primarily on insects and other arthropods. In the United States only two spider groups are considered dangerous to man - The Black Widow Spiders and the Brown Recluse Spiders. Inspection, Identification, Sanitation and Exclusion methods are necessary in prevention and seeking control.

Black Widow Spider

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The Black Widow Spider gets its name from a belief that the female eats the male after mating - a phenomenon which rarely happens.  Coloring is typically black with 2 reddish triangular markings usually joined to form a reddish hourglass shaped marking.  These spiders spin an irregular web and suspend themselves from it in an inverted or upside-down position. The web is used to catch its prey.  Poisonous bites do occur with only the females being of concern.  The venom is a neurotoxin. The female is generally shy but will attack aggressively after she lays her eggs in defense of guarding … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Poisonous, Spiders

Brown Recluse Spider

Brown Recluse Spider

Size: 1/3” to 1/2” Shape: Round Color: Light to Dark Brown (with a Violin shaped marking on back) This nocturnal (nightly) pest is identified by the Violin shaped mark on its back with eight legs for an overall size of one inch. Brown Recluse Spiders eat other bugs, like cockroaches and crickets. They tend to hide in corners, boxes, papers and in seldom used clothing and shoes in undisturbed areas. A Brown Recluse Spider has a dangerous bite, the bite itself is like a bee sting but the outcome of the bite is painful. Within 8 to 12 hours the pain will intensify and within days an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Poisonous, Spiders, Stinging & Biting pests

Daddylonglegs Spider

Daddy Longlegs

Size: 1/16 to 5/16” Shape: Small body w/ long legs Color: Pale yellowish to light brown or gray Daddy-long-legs Spider also known as Cellar Spiders, found in dark areas like eaves, windows, ceilings, garages, sheds, barns, warehouses, cellars, basements, and crawlspaces. They are known for building webs loosely in corners, the male is usually inside the web with the female. The female carries her young in sacs around her jaws, she sometime will have up to 3 sacs each sac contains 13-60 eggs. This species of spider thrives on higher humidity areas. Daddylonglegs Spiders eat flying insects … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Spiders

Hobo Spider

Hobo Spider

Size: 1” to 1 3/4" Shape: Segmented, long legs Color: Brown with grayish or darker markings Hobo Spiders are hairy and fast moving. They build their nests or webs on ground level they are not good climbers. You can find their nests in corners of crawlspaces, along rock walls, foundations, garages, stacked firewood, and basements. Their webs are designed to catch cockroaches, earwigs, silverfish, crickets, and other spiders to eat. This species is Seasonal. Usually around April or May eggs hatch and by August the males are mature to go out and find the females and mating begins. Males … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Spiders