General Characteristics:
- Two body parts: cephalothorax and abdomen
- Eight legs attached to cephalothorax
- If the pedipalps resemble boxing gloves (the tips of the pedipalps are swollen), it is an adult male
- If the pedipalps are not swollen, it is either a female, or an immature of either sex
- While it's true that most have venom the bites of all but a most are only mildly painful, and have no lasting effects
- Only two species dangerous to humans in Ontario (The Brown Recluse spider, and the Black Widow)
Reproduction:
- Spiders must molt to grow
- The male and female house spider often live together on the same web where they are able to reproduce
- The female lays her eggs in a cocoon that is generally 6 to 9 mm in diameter
- Several cocoons can be made in one season and they simply hang in the web until they are ready to hatch depending on the species of spider
Signs of Infestation:
- Generally, a spider infestation is indicative of a readily available prey
- Some spiders are attracted to areas with moisture
- Found in basements, crawl spaces, and other damp parts of the building
- Other types of spiders live in warm, dry places so are found in subfloor air-vents, in upper corners of rooms or in attics
- Most hide in cracks, darkened areas, or other retreats in which they construct silk webs
Control Techniques:
- Indoor treatment may be nothing more than vacuuming up the spiders, their webs, and egg sacs
- Removal of clutter, or other sanitation steps directed at conditions favouring spiders, will help reduce spider problems
- Treatment of infesting insects acting as prey will reduce favourable conditions for spiders
- Outdoor treatment is necessary to control spiders which are migrating inside or to eliminate spiders on porches, under eves, and other areas on the outside of buildings
- Insecticides may be used for existing infestations ACCORDING TO LABEL SPECIFICATIONS AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS
Please click here to contact a Focus Pest Control professional to inquire about further treatments for this pest species.
References:
Benett, Gary W., et.al.. Truman’s Scientific Guide to Pest Control Operations. Duluth: Advanstar Communications, 1988. p262
“Order Araneae - Spiders” (On-line). Iowa State University Entomology. Accessed Jan.
12, 2010 at http://bugguide.net/node/view/1954.
Disclaimer:
The Focus Pest Control ‘Pest Library’ is an educational resource written largely to educate the general public about common pests in Ontario. The Focus ‘Pest Library’ does not include all species in Ontario, nor does it include the most recent scientific data about species we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While Focus Pest Control staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.
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