Fighting Common Florida Spider Infestations

IS YOUR SPIDER-SENSE TINGLING?

Worldwide, there are nearly 34,000 different species of spiders. Florida plays host to several of them, and if you find several, or even one, inside your home, you’re not likely to be too excited.

HOW MANY KINDS OF SPIDERS?

Florida is home to both poisonous and non-poisonous types of spiders, and it’s tough to tell the difference between the two just by looking at them.There are two main types of venomous spiders in Florida – the brown and black widow spiders and the recluse spiders. They are often found in or under objects, and they like to hide from people .

ARE THEY POISONOUS?

SPIDERS 101

Spiders are part of the class Arachinda.

They have 4 pairs of legs, eight eyes, no wings or antennae and two main body regions. The head, thorax, and abdomen are attached to each other.

Their mouthparts are called Chelicerae, and they’re used for both feeding and defense, as this is where their fangs and poison glands are.

The spider web is perhaps the most visible reminder of these creatures. They’re made from both sticky and silken thread. It’s both a place for spiders to live & eat. Almost all spiders have a spinneret gland to create these amazing creations. Scientists have identified seven different types of glands, but most spiders just have a few. These webs are a great way to catch prey, as they mean the spider doesn’t have to work quite as hard as some other creatures do.

A STICKY MESS

Even if you have a spider bite, it’s not safe to assume that it’s dangerous. The vast majority of spider bites simply aren’t dangerous. However, if you have been bitten by a black widow spider, you’ll have pain or a stiffening of the affected muscles within just a few hours. You may also have a fever, chills & nausea or vomiting. A brown recluse bite has stinging right away & within 8 hours, you may have intense pain. Then a blister filled with fluid will form at the site. It will then fall off and leave an ulcer in its place.If you have either bite, you should seek medical attention immediately.

IS THIS SPIDER BITE DANGEROUS?

Misinformation about spiders is everywhere. Here are the most common. Remember, all of these statements are false. Spiders come into your house to get out of the

cold in the fall and winter – The truth is that house spiders and the spiders you see in your garden are two completely species. House spiders l ive inside. They’re not adapted to outdoor conditions.

Any spider in my house is a danger to my children – For the most part, spiders are going to prey on the insects in your home. They don’t have a reason to bite your kids. In the event that they do have to bite to protect themselves, the chances that the spider has venom are quite rare.

Those large, hairy spiders I find in my house are clearly dangerous – It can be difficult to identify spiders, and big spiders aren’t always dangerous. In fact, large hairy spiders found inside are typically part of the European House Spider group.

SPIDER MYTHS YOU SHOULD IGNORE

Jumping Spiders: These spiders are small, often less than 15mm in length. They have three rows of eyes. Unlike many other spiders, they don’t build webs. Instead, they hunt their prey during the day. Some have very bright colors. They are often found on buildings.

Crab Spiders: These, too, are tiny spiders, often just 5 to 10 mm in length. They don’t spin webs either. Instead, they live on flowers and foliage, waiting to capture their prey.

Golden Silk Spider: These are orb weaving spiders, often up to 40 mm long. They catch insects in webs, and they are often found in forests and along walking trails.

COMMON FLORIDA SPIDERS

Spiny Orb-Weaver: These are some of the most colorful spiders around. The abdomen is often white with black spots, and they have red spines along the edges. Females are up to 10mm long. Their webs have tufts of silk inside them.

Black and Yellow Argiope: These are some of the biggest spiders you may see. They can be found at the edge of the woodlands. They can be as long as 25 mm long, and they have yellow and black markings. They often hang in a head down position.

Wolf Spiders: These are typically 25 mm long. They don’t spin webs. Instead, they hide under debris. A hunting spider, they have very good eyesight and can be sensitive to vibrations in the ground.

COMMON FLORIDA SPIDERS

If you’re concerned about having spiders in your home, one of the first steps you may want to take is to declutter. Control the excess moisture in your home, too. You may also want to keep trees and shrubs away from the foundation so sunlight can penetrate it.

KEEPING SPIDERS AT BAY

Slug-A-Bug is the largest independently owned pest control company in Brevard County, we offer cutting edge solutions to help you deal with spider problems. Contact us for

more information.

PEST CONTROL EXPERTS