Spider Facts in New York and Massachusetts
Spiders may send shivers down your spine but they also play an important role in most ecosystems. Spiders spin silk and are beneficial in outdoor spaces, where they act as predators that provide natural, biological control of many harmful pests.
Not insects at all, spiders are members of the arachnid family. Approximately 3,000 different spider species call North America home, but only two of them have dangerous bites that can harm humans.
Spider Bites
The black widow and brown recluse both produce potentially dangerous bites. However, getting bitten is a rare occurrence, because most are only active at night and tend to be timid unless they are threatened. If you get bitten, gently cleanse the affected area with soap and water before applying a cold compress to soothe it.
If you suspect the spider that bit you was a brown recluse or a black widow, quickly tie a bandage above the bite area, without cutting off circulation, and keep the area elevated to slow the spread of venom. Seek medical help as soon as possible and capture or take a photo of the offending spider, if possible, so your doctor can identify it.
If you see a spider, remain calm. Most spiders do not have the ability to bite humans, and if they can, the bites are usually harmless.
Spider Habitats and Habits
Spiders thrive in nearly every type of habitat, except extreme elevations and polar regions. These pests prefer building their homes in quiet, out-of-the-way spots like crawlspaces, attics, and basements.
They get food in one of two ways: building webs or hunting. Web-building spiders spin their webs and wait nearby to feast on their meal once it comes to them. Vibrations in the web alert them once their prey is ensnared. Hunting spiders either attack directly once prey is near, or they actively run it down.
Spider Descriptions and Identification
Coloration and size vary from species to species, but all spiders have eight legs. Many females lay 20 to several hundred eggs at a time. Most prefer inhabiting sheltered, quiet areas like attics, crawlspaces, and basements. Common northeastern spiders found throughout Western Massachusetts include American house, black widow, brown recluse, daddy long legs, spiny orb weaver, jumping, hobo, and wolf spiders.
American House Spiders
Despite its name, the American house spider can be found around the globe. They can produce bee-sting-like bites, but only when they are threatened. These spiders average 1/8 to 5/15 inch in size.
Black Widow Spiders
Black widows are perhaps one of the most fabled spiders, with the female delivering painful bites to humans that are deadly to their male suitors.
Black widows have venom 15 times stronger than rattlesnake venom, making it one of the most venomous spiders on the continent. These spiders have shiny black bodies and rounded abdomens with red, orange, or yellow hourglass-shaped markings.
Brown Recluse Spiders
These tan to dark brown spiders have fiddle-shaped markings on their upper bodies and a notoriously nasty bite. They only attack when threatened, and the bite may go unnoticed in its preliminary stages. Within eight hours or so, the bite will swell and may develop a dry, blistered lesion. Brown recluse bites can cause chills, fever, nausea, and dizziness.
Daddy Long Legs Spiders
Have you heard that daddy long legs is the most poisonous of all animals, but their fangs are too short to bite? It’s a myth. These spiders aren’t dangerous to humans, even though they do carry venom. Their bodies typically measure 1/16 to 5/16 inch in size with eight slim legs that are usually about 2 inches long.
Spiny Orb Weaver Spiders
This shiny black spider has bright colors on the top of its abdomen that makes it easy to identify. They average 1/4 to 1/2 inch in size and are known for the six spiny projections extending from their abdomens. They weave large webs and feed on small insects, including moths, flies, and mosquitoes.
Jumping Spiders
Jumping spiders average 1/4 to 1/2 inch long and get their name from their tendency to jump on their prey. These spiders typically feed on small insects, and they rarely bite people.
Hobo Spiders
Hobo spiders are more common in the Pacific Northwest, but they have been found across the country. It’s sometimes called an aggressive house spider, although it rarely attacks humans. Hobo spiders average 3/8 to 1 3/4 inches in size and typically feed on pesty insects.
Wolf Spiders
These spiders have eight large eyes and large, hairy bodies that average 1/4 inch to 1 inch in size. Wolf spiders are active at night and mainly feed on small insects. They will bite people, although their venom isn’t toxic.
Benefits of Professional Spider Control
Identifying how and why these pests are getting inside a home, business, or other structure can be challenging. The professionals at USX Pest have the education and experience necessary to identify the spider and what’s drawing them to the area. We take a comprehensive approach, starting with a detailed free inspection that helps us create a solution tailored to each unique situation and property.
Schedule a Free Inspection for Your Residential or Commercial Property in New York and Massachusetts
Take control over spiders by calling in the experts. Contact USX Pest online or by phone at 855-761-1550 to schedule an inspection and start the pest control process.