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The 411 on Granddaddy Long Legs

The granddaddy long legs is legendary – with claims of being the “most poisonous spider in the world but their mouths are too small to bite.” Like most legends, these claims are exaggerated and aren’t based on facts. So what is the truth about these creatures? Here’s everything you need to know about the granddaddy long legs.

Is the Granddaddy Long Legs a Spider?

No. The granddaddy long legs, AKA the daddy long legs, harvest spider, and harvestman, is actually an arthropod and closer genetically to the scorpion than a spider. While they do have 8 legs like spiders, the resemblance ends there. Spiders have spinnerets that spin silk for their webs; granddaddy long legs don’t. Spiders also have 2 body sections connected by a small, narrow waist. Granddaddy long legs have 1 body section containing their head, abdomen, and body combined. Spiders can have fangs and produce venom. Granddaddy long legs don’t have fangs and don’t produce venom. Spiders live on a liquid diet while granddaddy long legs have chelicerae (tiny claws used to hold and tear things) so they can eat small pieces of solid food. Granddaddy long legs can also self amputate their legs as a defense mechanism against predators. Unfortunately, once they lose a leg they cannot grow it back.

What Attracts Granddaddy Long Legs?

Granddaddy long legs are omnivores and eat a wide variety of things. They are known to eat dead and live insects, spiders, aphids, worms, snails, fungus, and even bird droppings.

What Are Granddaddy Long Legs Good For?

Granddaddy long legs use their varied diets to keep to keep your gardens and yard free of other pests. They don’t cause damage to structures or landscaping and aren’t dangerous to humans.

How Do You Get Rid of Granddaddy Long Legs?

Because they aren’t harmful to humans and don’t damage any structures or landscaping in your yard or garden, it is best to leave granddaddy long legs alone. Sometimes they are known to congregate in large numbers. If this is the case or if you have an issue with these or other pests, contact your local pest control company who can thoroughly evaluate your home and provide you with the appropriate treatment and prevention plan for your situation.

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Daddy Long Legs vs Daddy Long Leg Spiders

Daddy Long legs or Daddy Long legs Spider?

Daddy Long legs, or harvestmen, are not actually spiders. Daddy long legs are not poisonous, have long legs and a large bulbous-looking body. They feed on insects, which makes them helpful around the garden. They are especially active at the time of harvest, toward the end of summer and beginning of fall. To keep daddy long legs away, vacuum carpet, upholstery, and curtains frequently to remove spider webs, adult spiders, and egg sacs. Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag. Tightly seal the trash bag to make sure eggs can’t hatch and crawl out of the bag.

Tip for preventing daddy long legs: Pour 1 cup white vinegar and 1/3 cup vanilla extract into a spray bottle and shake. Spray areas where the daddy long legs have been spotted indoors and out. The smell will repel the insects.

Daddy Long legs Spiders, or cellar spiders, although venomous, are not known to be harmful to humans. Their fangs are short and they do not have enough muscle to be able to penetrate human skin. Daddy long legs spiders are very fragile and delicate. They are usually brown or gray in color, cylindrical in shape and their legs are very long and thin. Daddy long legs spiders survive on others species of spiders, or on occasion they will invade other spiders’ webs and consume the host, their egg, and any prey caught in the web. They hang upside down on their webs, which they create in dark, damp places like home cellars, caves or abandoned animal burrows.

Tip for preventing daddy long leg spiders: To keep daddy long legs spiders away you will need caulk, a vacuum cleaner, a duster, boric acid/Borax, and spider traps. Caulk cracks in your walls, foundation, and loose window frames. With a vacuum cleaner attachment, suck up spiders and their webs at wall corners, undersides of furniture, floors beneath appliances, crevices along the baseboards and around windows and curtains. Insects attract daddy long legs spiders so dust frequently and repair leaking pipes and faucets both inside and out. Sprinkle boric acid under doorways, around window sills, along baseboards, and under appliances. Boric acid is a common ingredient in household cleaning products and is not harmful to humans and pets. Place spider traps in areas where spiders are usually seen.

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