Halloween is the holiday that brings out our fears and for some of us; the most frightening of them all is a spider. Does the thought of the movie, Arachnophobia, make your skin crawl? Even though they have a scary reputation, spiders are actually quite fascinating. Here are a few “bites” of information to help you better understand these interesting creatures. The next time you come face-to-face with a spider, look for its web, as it can provide you with some useful information.
One of the ways to classify spiders is by the types of webs they weave.
Funnel Weavers are abundant around the U.S. and make flat, horizontal trampoline-like webs, found between bricks or under woodpiles. Just like the name implies, their webs look like giant funnels. If you find Funnel Weavers in your home, they are often in the basement, where they are more likely to go undetected for long periods of time. A grass spider is a Funnel Weaver.
Cellar Spiders are often mistaken for daddy longlegs. As the name implies, Cellar Spiders are often found in damp locations, such as basements, crawlspaces and corners of garages. Their web is irregular and wispy with no distinguishable pattern. Their diet consists mostly of other insects, so they are actually a good kind of spider to have around.
Orb Weavers spin webs in parallel, circular patterns, with strands that resemble the spokes of a wheel. They build their webs vertically, attaching to branches, stems, or manmade structures. If you are trying to combat the Orb Weaver, you must be diligent, because it is not uncommon for them to build a new web every night. Orb Weavers are a good defense against mosquitoes, so they are generally very useful. A garden spider is an orb weaver.
Comb-Footed Spiders are named for their row of thick bristles on the underside of their fourth leg, which is used to comb out the silk from their spinnerets. Their webs are built in a disorganized fashion, which is very convenient for entangling prey. The common house spider is a Comb-Footed Spider. They are usually not aggressive.
We hope you don’t unexpectedly walk into a spider web in the dark, but knowing a little about each major spider type may put your mind at ease. If you are seeing a few too many of these creepy crawlies around your house this time of year, you can always call on HomeTeam to eliminate the problem. Removing spider webs is part of the 6-Point Advantage Service our technicians perform during each visit to your home.
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