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Orb Weavers: What You Need to Know

Jul 29, 2022 | Pest Control

Orb weaver spiders, or orb weavers, are a group of spiders named for their ability to produce round, orb-like webs. They make up the family Araneidae, one of the most diverse groups of arachnids in terms of both size and appearance. Despite their differences, they all have one thing in common: their ability to create large, majestic webs. These webs are circular in shape with grids similar to the spokes of a wheel. Some webs can even measure up to 3 feet in diameter. Let’s take an in depth look to learn all you need to know about orb weavers.

Appearance

Orb weavers have body types similar to other spiders with 8 legs; 2 body parts (a cephalothorax and abdomen), and chelicera (mouthparts that look like fangs). They range in size from 1.5 to 3 cm. Some are brightly colored, while others are brown or gray. They have large abdomens and hairy legs.

Behavior

Orb weavers are typically nocturnal and will often build or repair their webs at night. They do not hunt or wander for their food. Instead, they utilize their expansive web making skills to catch their prey. They will usually sit in their webs after they are built waiting for prey to become ensnared. Sometimes they will hide nearby and leave a trigger line of silk connected to the web. The vibrations from the prey run down the line and alert them. They will then bite and paralyze their prey and wrap it in silk to save for dinner later. Orb weavers are most commonly seen in late summer and early fall.

Diet

An orb weaver’s diet usually consists of small insects like moths, wasps, beetles, flies, and mosquitoes. Larger spiders will also eat small frogs and hummingbirds.

Habitat

Orb weavers will take up residence where there is an abundance of prey for them to eat. They can often be found around outdoor lights, tall grass, weeds, fences, bushes, and walls. They can be found in any environment including gardens, grasslands, and cities. Orb weavers are found on every continent except Antarctica and in the Arctic. There are 2800 species worldwide and 180 species in North America.

Prevention is not necessary with orb weavers unless their web is constructed in an inconvenient area or an area with high human traffic. In fact, they can be beneficial to have around as they help keep other pests under control around your home. They don’t cause structural damage and they rarely bite (only if threatened and they cannot escape). Their bite has been compared to a bee sting. You can reduce the chances of having orb weavers around by:

Eliminating their food sources by keeping other pest populations under control around your home
Sealing any cracks, gaps, and crevices in the exterior of your home
Removing ground litter
Keeping grass and bushes trimmed

If you have a problem with orb weavers or any other pests, contact your local pest control company for an evaluation and treatment plan.

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Are Spiders Worse In The Summer?

Jun 23, 2022 | Pest Control

Spiders are considered year-round pests, but they seem to come out in full force during the summer months. Some common spiders you may encounter this summer include wolf spiders, orb weavers, garden spiders, house spiders, brown recluse spiders, and black widow spiders. While most of these are harmless, brown recluses and black widows can be dangerous to humans with their venomous bites.

The spiders you see in the summer most likely aren’t just now making their way into your home; there’s a good chance they’ve already been hiding out inside for a while. They will commonly emerge in large numbers in the summer for two main reasons:

It’s mating season for male spiders
It’s peak season for most of their food sources (mosquitoes, flies, ants)

Seeing a spider here and there inside your home is usually nothing to worry about; they can sneak in through open windows, doors, etc. Seeing them in large numbers, however, can indicate a much bigger problem. Spider infestations can be the result of:

Weather. Summer weather is ideal for spiders with warm temperatures, adequate shelter, etc. If the weather gets too hot, spiders will seek relief, often inside your home. The same thing applies if the summer is overly dry or overly wet. Your home provides the perfect place to hide out until conditions outdoors improve.
Food. If food sources outdoors become scarce (due to weather or consistent pest control around your home), spiders may make their way indoors on their search for nutrition. Conversely, if you have an infestation of other household pests that spiders like to eat, they will also come inside to take advantage of the all-you-can-eat buffet.
Water. Spiders must have water to survive. If outdoor water sources dry up (due to drought, etc.), they will go in search of hydration indoors.

Having a spider infestation in your home can leave you with webs everywhere, the risk of spider bites that can be painful and potentially dangerous, and the possibility of other pest infestations, as well. You can keep spiders out by:

Eliminating Entry Points. Spiders can access your home through the smallest cracks and crevices. Use weatherstripping around doors and windows and make sure it is kept in good repair. Caulk or seal any gaps, holes, and openings. Use screens on doors and windows and make sure they stay in good repair, as well.
Eliminating Hiding Places. Spiders prefer dark, undisturbed places to hide out (corners, cabinets, closets, storage containers, piles of paper or cardboard, and cluttered areas). Declutter your home and get rid of any old papers, magazines, newspapers, and boxes. Shake out anything you haven’t used in a while before using it. Vacuum and dust regularly, especially rooms and areas that you don’t use often. Outside, trim overgrown bushes, hedges, and trees. Keep grass mowed short and mow regularly. Get rid of trash and debris in your yard that spiders can use for shelter. Store firewood and lumber away from your home.
Eliminating Food Sources. Spiders eat other pests. Maintain routine pest control in and around your home with a professional pest control company. Eliminating other pests mean spiders will look for food elsewhere.

If you have a problem with spiders, contact your local pest control company for a thorough inspection and treatment plan.

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3 Popular South Florida Spider Species

Jun 21, 2022 | Uncategorized

South Florida Pest Control: Spiders

Spotting a spider inside your home is always alarming! While most of the spiders we encounter are non-venomous, spotting a venomous spider is still possible. Every homeowner should be aware and up to date with the type of spider species located in the South Florida area and how to prevent them.

Brown Recluse Spider

Known as the violin or the fiddleback spider, the brown recluse is light brown with a dark, violin-shaped marking on its back. These pests are usually found outdoors under rocks, woodpiles, logs, etc. but will seek indoors for shelter too. Once they have infested your home, they seek out dark, secluded areas during the day but are active at night to hunt. Common places you can find these spiders are attics, garages, and basements.

While these spiders are not typically aggressive, they will bite if trapped against a human, such as rolling on them in bed or stepping on them in a shoe. If bitten by these spiders, the bite can cause an infection, becoming red, swollen, and tender. It’s best to get the wound treated as soon as possible.

Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are dark in color with pale markings and fairly long legs. Because of their coloring and hairy bodies, they are well-camouflaged, often hiding under piles of leaves, rocks, and logs. If wolf spiders find their way inside your home, they usually stay close to the floor. You can typically find them on the walls underneath furniture.

While wolf spiders can bite, these incidents are rare and don’t pose a significant threat to humans.

Black Widow

Shiny and black, the black widow spider has a prominent red hourglass shape on the underside of its abdomen. The black widow spider is venomous, and its bite can be extremely painful. These pests often hitchhike through firewood as they like to hide in woodpiles. Once inside, they often seek out undisturbed places in the home. They are known to habitat in empty boxes, inside shoes, and eaves.

If disturbed, these spiders will bite, and it can cause serious reactions. Some reactions to a black spider bite include developing a fever, elevated blood pressure, sweating, nausea, and more. While death is uncommon if bitten, it is important to get treatment as soon as possible.

South Florida Spider Prevention

To prevent spiders from invading your home, consider placing do-it-yourself preventative measures to help avoid them.

Keep garages, attics, sheds, basements, and other areas not used frequently clean and clear of clutter.
Seal any cracks and crevices around the exterior and interior of your home.
Inspect your windows for any damaged screens or cracks and fix them as soon as possible.
If a package is delivered, inspect it before bringing it inside as spiders will often hitchhike on them.
Contact a licensed South Florida pest control company to identify the spider species, determine entry points, and help provide you with a pest control treatment and prevention plan.

Spider Control for Spring

Apr 19, 2022 | Pest Control

Although spiders are considered a year-round pest, they become more visible and active in the spring. Overwintering pests like spiders emerge as the weather warms up to lay eggs for the approaching season. Spiders are predators, preying on smaller insects for food. They are usually not a huge threat to humans with only a few venomous species in our area. In fact, they can be quite beneficial to have around your home, working as a form of natural pest control by eating other insects you may have around.

If the thought of sharing your home with spiders creeps you out, don’t fret! Here are some spider prevention tips you can use this spring to help keep these pests out.

Keep your outdoor lights off at night. Many bugs are attracted to light at night, providing a feast for spiders who are hanging around.
Keep vegetation trimmed and your lawn mowed. Overgrown bushes, grass, and other debris give spiders the ideal place to hide.
Don’t stack wood or install mulch to close to the sides of your home. Spiders will not only hide out in these places but will also use them as a bridge to crawl into your house.
Make sure trees, shrubs, and other landscaping aren’t touching your home. Spiders will also use these to get indoors.
Clean up food and crumbs immediately, both indoors and outdoors.
Get rid of stacks of old newspapers, magazines, etc.
Dust frequently and vacuum weekly.
Make sure windows and door screens are intact. Spiders will use holes and tears to get inside.
Get rid of cobwebs both indoors and outdoors. Spiders will use these to store food once they catch their prey.
Apply diatomaceous earth to your yard. This is a nontoxic option for outdoor pest control that is harmless to humans.
Consider natural remedies to prevent spiders. Some common methods include the use of mint, citrus, and vinegar.
Contact a professional. Spiders can be difficult to get rid of on your own. A professional pest control company can help identify the type of spider you are dealing with; where they may be hiding, nesting, or getting inside; and the most effective way to treat them in your home.

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What Is A Joro Spider?

Nov 5, 2021 | Pest Control

The Joro spider, also known as Trichonephila clavata, is a member of the recognizable orb weaver family. These particular spiders are characterized by their large size (up to 3 inches in length with their legs extended) and yellow and blue-black striped backs with red undersides. Joro spiders are known for constructing large, wagon-wheel shaped webs that are a golden color. These webs can be several feet in length.

Joro spiders are native to Asia, particularly Japan, China, Korea, and Taiwan. In 2014, the first instance of the Joro spider in North America was confirmed in North Georgia. Subsequent sightings have been confirmed as far away as Greenville, South Carolina. It is unclear how and when these spiders first arrived here in Georgia but researchers believe they are here to stay. In fact, researchers have confirmed their presence in at least 25 counties in the state.

Joro spiders are not considered harmful to humans or pets. They will bite when provoked but are not considered a threat. Joros are beneficial to have around as they are one of the only species known to eat adult brown marmorated stinkbugs. They also help keep mosquito and other nuisance pest populations in check. Joro spiders do have predators in our area; both birds and wasps will eat them.

The jury is still out on whether or not there will be any long-term ramifications on local ecosystems. One thing all the researchers agree on is that the Joro spider is likely here to stay.