Just thinking of spiders may give you the creepy-crawlies, but arachnids are one of the most useful animals to have in your garden. Spiders usually only live for one season, but each female can parent hundreds of offspring in just a few months. Learning more about the spiders in your area is the first step toward deciding whether spider treatment is necessary for your home or on your property.
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5 Facts About Spiders
- Spiders might seem scary, but arachnids are actually beneficial insects that help keep pests away from your home and garden. All arachnids catch pests like mosquitoes, but not all species live in webs. These webless species jump at, spit at or trap prey. Trapdoor spiders have a particularly interesting method of catching prey: these unique creatures build doors made from bark, or other materials, and silk. Once prey enters their underground burrow, the door shuts, sealing the prey inside the burrow.
- Currently estimates state that there are over 40,000 species of spiders on the planet, and more spiders are being discovered in out-of-the-way locations every year. Arachnids are found on six of the seven continents, and fossil records show these creatures have been living for at least 318 million years.
- While spiders are among the most-feared creatures alive today, most species are not venomous. Of the known species living in central Indiana, only two types are known to cause serious reactions in humans. Other spiders can bite, however, and some people have an allergic reaction to nonvenomous bites. The allergic reaction can cause symptoms like localized pain, swelling and infection.
- Different types of spiders make different types of webs. The known types of webs include funnel, tangle, orb and nursery. Many spiders create organized, symmetrical webs, but tangle web spiders create asymmetrical webs made from random-looking strings of silk. The silk used to create webs is thought to be one of the strongest substances on Earth, and all web-building spiders sense prey has landed in their web when the web vibrates.
- Most spiders have short life spans, with some species only living for one season. Other species, such as the tarantula, live for up to 10 years. Many species lay their eggs in a cocoon-like web made from silk, while other species carry their egg sacks and hatchlings on their back. Each egg sack can contain hundreds of tiny spiders that look similar to the parent. After the eggs hatch, the hatchling spiders shed their exoskeleton, and change color, several times before reaching adulthood.
What Types of Spiders Are In Central Indiana?
Approximately 400 known spider species are found in the state, but only two of these species are thought to pose a significant harm to humans: the brown recluse and the black widow.
Marbled Orb Spider
These two species of venomous spiders are generally small and prefer hidden areas, but the state is also home to some vividly colored species that you can easily see in your garden. Marbled spiders, for instance, have vivid markings that range from yellow and orange to bright green. The marbled spider’s unique coloring make it easy to spot among the grass, especially when you notice the spider’s black-and-white striped legs.
Other large spiders include a variety of orb weavers and wolf spiders. Wolf spiders fuzzy, black spiders that jump at their prey, making this species among the most panic-inducing among humans.
Most large species in the state are not venomous and prefer to live peacefully in wooded areas or grassy fields. If you do have spiders inside your home, a proper identification is important. Some species can cause serious symptoms if you, a family member, or a pet are bitten.
What’s the Biggest Spider Found in Indiana?
In June of 2018, the Indianapolis Star reported on a fishing spider found in Elkhart County that had a 6-inch leg span! They are also known as fishing spiders, raft spiders, dock spiders or wharf spiders. You won’t typically find them in your home unless you’ve got a wooded lake or pond nearby. The fishing spider’s scientific name is Dolomedes and is a genus of large spiders of the family Pisauridae.
According to Wikipedia, fishing spiders hunt by waiting at the edge of a pool or stream, then when they detect the ripples from prey, they run across the surface to subdue it using their foremost legs, which are tipped with small claws; like other spiders they then inject venom with their hollow jaws to kill and digest the prey. They mainly eat insects, but some larger species are able to catch small fish. They can also climb beneath the water when they become encased in a silvery film of air.
What Are the Health Risks of Spiders to Your Family and Pets?
The black widow and the brown recluse are venomous spiders that can cause serious health concerns for humans who are bitten.
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Brown Recluse Spider
Brown Recluse Spiders – The brown recluse is a wandering spider, or species that doesn’t build a web. The arachnid is often found in undisturbed areas, such as in boxes stored in the attic or basement. The distinctive fiddle-shaped mark on the spider’s back allows for easy identification. The brown recluse typically prefers quiet, dark spaces, and is most frequently noticed indoors during autumn. The shy arachnid does bite when it feels threatened. Most bites from the brown recluse occur when putting on clothes that haven’t been worn recently, but bites also frequently occur while people are sleeping. Symptoms of a brown recluse bite include tissue death around the site of the bite and nausea. More serious symptoms are also possible, especially among those who are sensitive to the venom.The brown recluse typically prefers quiet, dark spaces, and is most frequently noticed indoors during autumn. The shy arachnid does bite when it feels threatened. Most bites from the brown recluse occur when putting on clothes that haven’t been worn recently, but bites also frequently occur while people are sleeping. Symptoms of a brown recluse bite include tissue death around the site of the bite and nausea. More serious symptoms are also possible, especially among those who are sensitive to the venom.
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Black Widow Spider
Black Widow Spiders – Black widows are also found in the state. This arachnid is deep black, shiny and has a red hourglass marking on its underside. Black widows typically build tangled, asymmetrical webs and are found in dark, cool places that are usually left undisturbed. The spider’s bite is one of the most serious in the United States, with symptoms like muscle aches, vomiting, increased blood pressure and restlessness being very common after a bite. Some people experience serious symptoms that include shock and a life-threatening increase in blood pressure.Black widows are also found in the state. This arachnid is deep black, shiny and has a red hourglass marking on its underside. Black widows typically build tangled, asymmetrical webs and are found in dark, cool places that are usually left undisturbed. The spider’s bite is one of the most serious in the United States, with symptoms like muscle aches, vomiting, increased blood pressure and restlessness being very common after a bite. Some people experience serious symptoms that include shock and a life-threatening increase in blood pressure.
While only two types of spiders are venomous in the state, people who are allergic or sensitive to bites can have a serious reaction after a bite from any arachnid. Allergic reactions vary in severity. If you have any unusual reactions after being bitten, seek emergency medical care. Dogs and other pets also have serious reactions after being bitten by a brown recluse or black widow. In some cases, black widow bites are fatal to cats and dogs. If you suspect your pet has been bitten, consult a veterinarian for emergency treatment.
While only two types of spiders are venomous in the state, people who are allergic or sensitive to bites can have a serious reaction after a bite from any arachnid. Allergic reactions vary in severity. If you have any unusual reactions after being bitten, seek emergency medical care. Dogs and other pets also have serious reactions after being bitten by a brown recluse or black widow. In some cases, black widow bites are fatal to cats and dogs. If you suspect your pet has been bitten, consult a veterinarian for emergency treatment.What Kind of Damage Can Spiders Do To Your Property and Home?
What Kind of Damage Can Spiders Do To Your Property and Home?
Wolf Spider
Most arachnids live solitary lives and do not pose a significant threat to your property or home. Large populations of spiders are an exception. When large numbers of spiders are present, damage is possible. Outdoors, burrowing spiders may disturb grass and create holes in the lawn that pose a falling risk for both children and adults. Additionally, large populations can create massive webs that cover your trees and ornamental landscaping features.
Indoors, spiders often live in closets, attics, and basements, especially when undisturbed boxes and stored items are present. Spider treatment is necessary for arachnids that live indoors. Examine the species living in your home to determine whether it is one of the potentially dangerous species in the state. Large infestations of brown recluses or black widows should be treated immediately to reduce the health risk to your family and pets.
