PEST CONTROL LIBRARY
Pest Library > Pest Library: Spiders
Spiders
There are thousands of different types of Spiders found worldwide, but only a handful are commonly found in New England. The spiders most commonly found in our area include: the brown recluse spider, jumping spiders, house spiders, sac spiders and wolf spiders. Although these spiders vary widely in their size and shape, one thing they have in common is their very presence may be an indication of a more serious pest infestation as spiders feed off of other common household pests. To learn more about any of these particular types of spiders, click on the profiles below, available for each type.
The color of brown recluse spiders varies from flesh colored to dark brown. They have long legs and their body length ranges from 1/4 – 1/2 inch. The most identifiable characteristic is the dark violin-shaped mark that begins right behind the eyes.
What is the Brown Recluse Spider’s Diet?
Brown recluse spiders mainly hunt for cockroaches, crickets, and other insects.
What is the Brown Recluse Spider’s Reproductive Cycle?
Female brown recluse spiders produce 1 – 5 egg sacs in her lifetime, with each sac containing 40 – 50 eggs. Approximately 30 days after the eggs are laid, the spiderlings will emerge. They will reach adulthood in about 336 days. The female’s average lifespan is 628 days.
Where do Brown Recluse Spiders Live?
The brown recluse spider’s web is usually used for nesting, not for catching their prey. The nest is generally located in hidden areas that are undisturbed. Old papers, shoes, or clothes that are not frequently used are common indoor places where they build their web. Outdoors, they can be found under rocks or in barns and sheds. The brown recluse seldom bites unless handled or disturbed in their nests, but the bite does contain venom and is quite painful and can be slow to heal. Infestation can be detected by the presence of the skin they shed when growing.
The term “daddy long-legs” can refer to a few spider-looking insects. In the New England area, it most commonly refers to an invertebrate that is not a spider at all (pictured here) and is also called a harvestman. This arachnid has a brown oval body that appears to be one segment. Its long legs are characteristic.
What is the Daddy Long-legs’ Diet?
Daddy long-legs are scavengers that will feed on decaying organic matter or small insects.
What is the Daddy Long-legs’ Reproductive Cycle?
They mate and the female lays eggs, but not in a silken web.
Where Do Daddy Long-legs Live?
Daddy long-legs arachnids do not have venom or silk-producing capabilities. They are most active at night and seek shelter during the day. The myth about deadly venom is about another “daddy long-legs” species, the cellar spider, which does not contain venom that is lethal to humans.
House spiders have 2 body regions, the head and abdomen. They have 4 pairs of legs, most have 8 eyes, but some do have 6. Although all spiders contain venom, only the brown recluse and black widow spiders are consistently dangerous to humans in North America.
What is the House Spider’s Diet?
House spiders are predators who paralyze or kill their prey (flying insects are the most common) with their venom.
What is the House Spider’s Reproductive Cycle?
A week or more after mating, the female house spider will lay as few as 20 eggs, or as many as several hundred in a single sac, or several sacs. The spiderlings may emerge in a few weeks or the following spring.
Where do House Spiders Live?
Most house spiders are nocturnal. In general, they will scurry off if frightened unless they are protecting their eggs or young. During the day, they tend to hide in their web or in cracks or crevices. While most spiders can bite, they usually don’t unless provoked.
There are thousands of different kinds of jumping spiders all over the world. All have eight distinct eyes, one row of which are enlarged and forward facing. They can be most easily identified by their jumping behavior.
What is the Jumping Spider’s Diet?
Jumping spiders primarily eat small insects and other spiders. They are active hunters and rely on their keen eyesight to stalk and pounce on prey.
What is the Jumping Spider’s Reproductive Cycle?
Mating usually occurs in warmer months. Males perform courtship displays to attract females. After mating, females lay eggs in a silk sac and guard them until they hatch in a few weeks.
Where do Jumping Spiders Live?
Jumping spiders are active hunters during the day and night.
Although there are several species of sac spiders, the description given is one of the most commonly encountered. The adult female is about 1/8 – 3/8 inch in body length, while the adult male is about 1/8 – 5/16 inch. Their color is yellow to a pale shade of green.
What is the Sac Spider’s Diet?
Sac spiders feed mainly on insects.
What is the Sac Spider’s Reproductive Cycle?
The female lays 30 to 48 eggs in a loose mass covered with a thin white silk sac, usually in an indoor area she protects. She can produce several masses in her lifetime. In the New England states, the female normally lays her eggs in the fall, they will overwinter, and the spiderlings will emerge in the spring.
Where do Sac Spiders Live?
Sac spiders tend to enter structures in greater numbers in the fall, but can be found inside throughout the year. Indoors, they build a silken area in the corners of a room in which they rest during the day. It is common to see the sac spider crawling on the ceiling and walls at night, but if startled, they will drop to the floor looking for refuge. Outdoors, they typically nest under stones, timbers, debris, corners of windows, and under eaves. These spiders can bite, and the typical reaction is redness to the bitten area, a burning sensation, and slight swelling, which may last 24 to 48 hours.
Wolf spiders range from about 1/2 inch to 2 inches in length. They are hairy, typically brown to gray in color, and have various markings or lines.
What is the Wolf Spider’s Diet?
Wolf spiders feed primarily on insects. Some larger wolf spiders may also prey on small vertebrates.
What is the Wolf Spider’s Reproductive Cycle?
While male wolf spiders rarely live beyond one year, female wolf spiders may live for several years. Once she has mated, the female will lay a clutch of eggs and wrap them in a round, silk ball. She attaches the egg case to the underside of her abdomen, using her spinnerets to hold it in place.
Where do Wolf Spiders Live?
Wolf spiders are commonly found around doors, windows, house plants, basements, garages, and in almost all terrestrial habitats. They do not spin a web but roam at night to hunt for food.