Spiders have an ominous, but often undeserved reputation. Though
most spiders are venomous and considered predators, of the thousands of
species found in the United States, few are actually considered a health
threat. In fact, spiders are actually helpful in controlling other
pests in the home or garden since they feed on other insects and
spiders. They generally bite and inject venom into their prey. Spiders, however, rarely bite humans.
If they do, the bite is
usually accidental or a defensive response. The simplest method of
controlling
spider infestation is to reduce the pest population (other insects) inside
the home so they seek a more dependable food supply outside the home.
One of the most common misconceptions about spiders is that they are
insects. Spiders are
arachnids and are actually closely related to
mites, ticks and scorpions. Spiders have two body parts (cephalothorax
and abdomen), eight legs and usually six to eight eyes, while insects are classified by having three body parts (head,
thorax and abdomen), six legs, and generally two compound eyes or up to
three single eyes. The average life span of a spider is usually one to
two years, but some can live five years and up to 20 years.
The two most common types of spiders that are considered health
threats in the U.S. are the black widow and brown
recluse.
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Household Pests
Black Widow Spider
Brown Recluse
Spider
