Spiders
Spiders have eight legs, two body regions, no wings, and no antennae. Some spiders like a moist environment and are commonly found in basements, crawl spaces, and other damp areas of a house or building. Others prefer dry, warm areas such as subfloor air vents, upper corners of rooms and attics. They hide in dark areas. Spiders feed on other insects, other spiders, and any other prey they are able to catch.
Reproduction
Females produce an egg sac. The little spiderlings emerge from the egg sac. Spiderlings experience a series of molts, and eventually become adults. Males of many spider species court the female. For example, male jumping spiders perform elaborate dances to attract the attention of a female. Mating can be a dangerous event for males, since female often eat the males after mating.
More Information
Spiders have three or four pair of eyes. Most spiders have poor vision, but there are a few species like the jumping spider, that have exceptional vision.
Spiders do not have chewing mouthparts. They utilize digestive enzymes in their saliva to break prey down before consuming it because the gut of a spider is too narrow to allow for consumption of large food particles. Almost all spider species are predators, although they have documented one plant-feeding species of spider.
Spiders produce silk that is elastic, adhesive and strong. They use this silk to spin webs as well as to construct egg sacs and line spider nests. Spider webs vary in shape and size by species. Some webs are orb-shaped, and others are funnel-shaped; some webs are very orderly, while others appear haphazard. Some spider species live in burrows rather than webs, and others are take refuge in crevices.
Most spiders are harmless and provide free insect control for your home. But if you don't like spiders or you have too many of them here are a few natural techniques you can use to get rid of spiders.
Spider Prevention Tips
- Salt is a natural spider poison. Dissolve an ounce of salt (1/8 cup) in a gallon of warm water, and pour the saline mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the salty solution directly onto a spider to kill it. Salt water is also effective at killing spider nests.
- Spiders hate fresh chestnuts. To send your spiders on vacation, place freshly crushed chestnuts at spider entry points.
- If you have an area of your home that is always covered with cobwebs, clean out the webs and then spray the area with a mixture made from a cup of white vinegar, and a teaspoon of coconut oil. This natural mixture will encourage spiders to hang out somewhere else.
- Essential oils are deadly to spiders, even in minute quantities. Add a fresh scent to a room and exterminate your spiders by mixing a quart of water with a drop of one of the following essential oils: lavender, citronella, peppermint, citrus, tea tree or cinnamon. Spray the spider with the mixture you created and say good-bye.
Just remember that spiders are beneficial pests that help control more problematic insects. Control your spider population, but if you can stand them, keep a few around to help control all those other pests you don't want around like mosquitos and ants.
If you have an infestation you can't handle or don't want to deal with, instead of opting for a chemical solution that can harm your family and pets, go for a natural, safe solution from Total Property Control that’s just as effective. Call us at 561-248-4546 and say good -bye to your spider problems.
