SPIDER CONTROL

BLACK WIDOWS are probably most known for their toxic bites to humans. The females are identified for their red hour glass markings and black shiny abdomen. The males differ in that they are much smaller and lighter colored with lights steaks on their abdomen. Since they pose little health threat we will not discuss them. The mature female widow spiders are large measuring 1½ inches with legs extended. The widow spiders have eight eyes clustered on the front of the head.
The female black widow usually spins a silken web in protected places such as under stones, house steps, decks, crawl spaces, etc. The spider is rarely found inside houses. The widow spider is most apt to bite when her eggs are threatened. The black widow bite produces a sharp pain that may persist for hours. Local muscular cramps may develop. The pain may become severe and spread to the abdomen and be accompanied by weakness and tremor. Spasmodic breathing; a feeble pulse; cold, clammy skin; and delirium may be noted. Intravenous injection of 10 percent calcium gluconate to relieve the muscle spasms has proven effective. A black widow antiserum is available and is an effective treatment. For spider control measures and prevention of infestation to you the homeowner click here.

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BROWN RECLUSE spiders is another spider known for, as to inflict dangerous bites. The adult body varies from 1/3 to 1/2 inch in length with the arrangement of the legs producing a size of one inch or larger. This spider is identified as having a yellow to brown body with a distinct violin shaped mark on the top of the cephalothorax. The primary key to identification is the arrangement of the three pairs of eyes. This spider is typically found indoors such as in bathrooms, bed rooms ,attics and around duct work. This spider is not known to be aggressive and usually will retreat when disturbed. Most bites occur when the spider is crushed when putting on clothes or when sleeping. The initial pain of the bite is not usually no more intense as a bee sting. Most of the severity comes about 8 hours later when the pain becomes quite intense and over a few days can form a large ulcerous sore. This sore is known to leave a large ugly scar on the tissue. Medical help is advised as soon as possible if bitten by a recluse. Click here for control and prevention measures on spiders.

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DADDY LONG LEGS are actually not true spiders but does belong to the same class of Arachnid. These spiders are also in the same order as the harvestman (Opiliones order) which differs in that the two parts of the body (cephalothorax and abdomen) of a harvestman are fused together into one part and they do not make webs. These spiders are commonly found crawling up brick walls or other spots that have been warmed during a sunny day. Daddy long legs are very commonly found indoors. The spider can be easily recognized by a small mass of body and its extremely long legs. They have four pairs of legs. The first pair of legs is five and half times the length of its body. The legs do not have any prickles but have long stiff hairs. The knee segment is much darker than the rest of the legs. Their venomous fangs are very small, too small to penetrate the human skin and even while catching a prey they are not used. Two of the eight eyes are very small. At the place of the heart (at the top of the abdomen) there is a dark spot. The spider must, as all spiders do, renew its skin. The spider hangs upside down in the web. There is a myth that the venom of this spider is the most poisonous to humans but there is no scientific facts that back that up at this point. Other common names are cellar spiders and vibrating spiders. Click here for control and prevention measures on spiders.

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The HOUSE SPIDER is brown in color and its body is about 3/8-inch long. Its abdomen is spherically shaped, and is white to brown in color with several dark markings. Males are smaller than females, and their legs are orange in color. The female's legs are yellow. This spider is the most common type of comb-footed spider, a group that includes the black widow species. They are urban pests named after the comb-like row of bristles located on the tarsi of their fourth pair of legs. House spiders are common throughout the world, and their webs are most often found in corners, basements, crawlspaces, under furniture and around windows. The household spider has no major negative effect on humans, it is simply an annoyance in that its webs tend to collect dust and are unclean.
The house spider hangs upside down in its web, which is made up of trip lines that extend vertically and horizontally throughout the web to entrap prey. The web of the house spider is irregularly shaped and has a scaffold-type arrangement. Prey gets caught in the trip lines, which direct it into the center of the web. It is then killed by a bite and subsequent venom injection. House spiders mainly prey upon small insects such as fruit flies. In fact, house spiders are often referred to as cobweb spiders because of the abandoned webs they leave behind. They can be found during any season.

These particular spiders are best controlled by Removal. Keep all webs and egg sacs vacuumed regularly. Try using yellow lights and sodium vapor lights. Also seal up all cracks. Click here for more control measures on spiders.

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The ORB WEAVER, also known as garden spiders, Black-And-Yellow Argiope, Golden Orb Weaver, Yellow Argiope ,and Writing Spider construct the characteristic circular, flat wheel-like web (orb web) in which flying insects are trapped. Some construct elaborate and beautiful large webs and are obvious in the late summer and early autumn months. They have poor vision and locate the prey by feeling the vibration and tension of the threads in their web and then quickly, by turning the captive with their legs, use silk to wrap the victim. The prey is bitten before being carried to the center of the web or to a corner where it is eaten. Anything inedible is cut out of the web and dropped to the ground. In the fall, female orb-weavers produce egg sacs containing several hundred eggs, then die. Eggs may hatch soon after or not until the following spring. Many adult spiders are large, some with oddly shaped abdomens (pointed spurs, conical tubercles, etc., in various colors of black, yellow, orange, red, white, brown, greenish, etc.).

This spider is about one inch long hanging head down in the center of the web, and found in brambles, bushes, tall grasses, etc., in open, sunny places near human habitations where flying insects blunder into the trap. Despite the formidable appearance of these spiders, they are not considered dangerous, but can bite if handled or bothered. The venom does not cause problems for humans. If there is a need of control measures only do outside treatments for these spiders. Click here for more information on spider control.

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TARANTULA SPIDERS are commonly known to be the large hairy spiders . They inhabit tropical to temperate regions in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South and Central America, Mexico, and the southwestern United States (From Texas to California). They are seen in a variety of habitats, including desert scrublands, but most species live in rainforests. Most are black and brown but some are tawny or yellowish. Unlike the familiar web building spiders tarantulas are active hunters. They have been known to prey on birds and mice. Tarantulas spend most of their time hidden in burrows or other retreats. They can also defend themselves by shedding irritating hairs from their abdomens. These hairs cause intense itching and can produce severe allergic reactions in humans. Many also produce a hissing sound by rubbing their jaws, front legs, or palps against each other (comp enc. CD). Even though their bite can be quite painful their venom is not known to be seriously poisonous to humans (New age,508). General application techniques should prevent these spiders from being a problem. Click here for spider control information.

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WOLF SPIDERS are usually large, hairy spiders that are not associated with webs. They are considered to be hunting spiders and are found all over the world. Wolf spiders (Lycosa frondicola) are known to carry its hatchlings on its back They are mostly found outside , however, an "occasional invader" will wander into houses and buildings by mistake. Wolf spiders are quite different from spiders that rely on webs to capture food. They either hide and wait for a meal to wander along, or actively stalk their prey. Many small wolf spiders are almost nomadic, roaming among brush and stones. Larger wolf spiders dig burrows. They are very often colored to blend naturally into their surroundings. They have eight dark eyes in three rows, with four eyes in the first row. They are easy to find at night because their eyes reflect light that falls upon them. Wolf spiders do not establish themselves indoors and are not aggressive, but may bite if handled or molested. The best method of control is to focus on outdoor measures. Click here to learn more about spider control.

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SAC SPIDERS commonly called "two-clawed Hunting Spiders," have been associated with numerous cases of human spider bites. They are suspected of being responsible for most indoor bites. However, deaths have not been reported. Their venom is cytotoxic, mainly affecting tissues at the bite site.
These spiders have two claws at the tip of the leg. The venomous species is light green to yellow white in color with a dark strip on the front portion of the upper-midline of the abdomen. The female body is about 3/4 inch long, whereas the male body is only 1/4 inch long. The long abdomen is slightly flattened. They are eight eyes similar in size arranged in two rows across the front of the face. The jaws are brown and the legs very smooth with the front legs longer than the rear legs. The egg sac is a white paper-like disk, usually placed in a protected area such as under a stone.
The indoor population increases in the autumn as the weather cools and food sources decline. They occur in wall voids or in silken retreats (sacs) constructed in the upper corners of rooms. Sac spiders roam ceilings and walls, seeking prey. When falling to the floor, they rapidly seek a protected place. Outdoors, these hunting spiders do not build webs; but construct a flat tubular sac opened at both ends in a rolled leaf, crevice, under loose bark or stones. A good focus of indoor treatment may be in order for these spiders. Click here for spider control techniques.

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For spider control the most important key would be sanitation. Make sure all webs and egg sacs are swept down with a broom or vacuumed up inside and out. Wash down all walls and concrete areas in infested problem areas. Preventative measures should also be taken to ensure that spiders cannot enter structures. Cracks in exterior walls should be sealed, and weather-stripping should be tightly fitted around door frames and window seals. Exterior lights attract insects, which, in turn, attract spiders to prey. Lights should only be used when needed. Mercury vapor lights should be replaced with sodium vapor lights

Since spiders can not be baited contact insecticides should only be used. In most spider infestations it is recommended that an outside application be tried first. Once the above measures are performed Talstar One should be sprayed onto eaves, around windows and fan sprayed all around foundation walls. Click here for more information on Talstar One.

If the spider problem is severe indoors or that is where most of the problems seems to exist then a good application of Demon WP should be sprayed around baseboards, and in cracks and crevices at random places. This product is a repellant and will kill them on contact and keep them away. In some cases it may be in order to use both of these products. This product is very safe and easy to use and we recommend to Always follow the label carefully. These insecticides are mixed with water and is best used in a one gallon spray compressor. Click these links to learn more on Talstar One and Demon WP.

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These particular spiders are best controlled by Removal. Keep all webs and egg sacs vacuumed regularly. Try using yellow lights and sodium vapor lights. Also seal up all cracks. Click here for more control measures on spiders.

Source: New Age encyclopedias, Truman's scientific guide to pest control operations ( Purdue University), Compton's ency. on CD, Random internet research.document.write('<');document.write('!-- ');

Source: New Age encyclopedias, Truman's scientific guide to pest control operations ( Purdue University), Compton's ency. on CD, Random internet research.