Spiders in New Jersey and All About Spiders
Spiders in New Jersey are fascinating and can be quite beneficial as well some species can be harmful or dangerous resulting in a need for spider elimination in most homes. Much of the inherent fear and dislike surrounding spiders comes from the fact that they have odd bodies with many moving parts and are unwelcome guests in a home.
Everyone Shares Their Homes with Them
Let us start with the probably the most unsettling fact first: Spiders are all around us. Research suggests that nobody is every more than 10 feet away from a spider, simply because of how many different species exist in the world. Although this may seem alarming at first, it is important to differentiate between helpful species and harmful ones.
There Are Many Different Types of Spiders
Depending on where they are from, spiders come in a wide variety of different shapes and sizes. It is estimated that there as many as 40,000 different species that exist around the world, living on six of seven continents. The only continent where a spider species has not been found and where there is no need for spider elimination is Antarctica. Not only are they common neighbors, but they are one of our oldest neighbors. Fossilized spider species have been found within Carboniferous rocks that date back as far as 318 million years.
Many of the physical characteristics of each species, including its coloration, size, speed, leg length, and even web characteristics have to do with the specific prey and hunting style the spider utilizes based on its geographic region. Spider elimination techniques vary depending on the type of species.
The Spider is a Predatory Arachnid
The spider group makes up the largest part of the family known as arachnids, which also includes ticks, mites, horseshoe crabs and scorpions. All species of the spider is predatory, however very few are actually harmful to humans or animals. The reason they are considered predatory is because they use venom-injecting fangs to kill trapped prey. It is important to differentiate between a benevolent spider whose predatory nature can benefit the home, and those who can be potentially harmful. The approach to spider elimination is quite different for ticks and mites than general household spiders.
Anatomy of a Spider
Many spider fears stem from their intricate anatomy; with many long and spindly legs, fangs, and beady eyes. Spider bodies are complex and intricate with many moving parts. They feature two body segments: the cephalothorax and the abdomen, with the cephalothorax containing the mouth and eyes of the spider as well as its legs. Every spider has fang-tipped jaws known as chelicerae, which trap prey while the spider injects its venom. Behind the spider’s jaws there are labium and labrum, working in tandem to direct food into the spider’s mouth.
Even though most species have between six and eight eyes, the spider has quite simple eyes that can only generally differentiate between light and shadow. Some insects have much more complex lenses.
The Complexity of the Spider
Where the real complexity lies in the anatomy of the spider in New Jersey is the system responsible for spinning a web. Many species rely entirely on their webs to trap and manage prey while others do not. Spinnerets are located on the abdomen and create silk which is in reality strong protein strands. According to the San Diego Zoo, spider silk is the strongest type of natural fiber known to man.
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History has said that individual species of spider are capable of producing as many as seven different types of silk. Each type of silk serves a specialized function. Some webs are designed specifically for trapping prey, such as those of the orb weaver species. Other webs are primarily used for lining burrows, such as those crafted by tarantulas. The tensile strength of the web is greater than natural bone.
Scientists group species based on their web. Some examples include:
• Tangle-web
• Funnel-web
• Orb-web
• Nursery-web
There are also a variety of different hunting and prey capture mechanisms. Some rely entirely on their sticky webs to catch small insects. Others chase insects down and lasso them with sticky traps. Some rely entirely on their jumping and running abilities to chase prey down.
Spiders in New Jersey: What to Know About Spider Bites
Every spider has the capacity to bite, however most of them will do little more harm than a mosquito bite. Most of the species that have a more life-threatening bite are actually very shy and will only lash out and attack in situations where they are feeling threatened. Spider elimination needs to be proactive to find these shy spiders in their hiding sites. According to research studies on spider physiology and behavior, in the 20th century there were only around 100 deaths resulting from spider bites.
Although spider venom can feel like a scary thing, many researchers are actually currently investigating it for benevolent purposes. A benevolent purpose would be as an alternative to pesticides or for use in Alzheimer’s disease treatments. Spider venom has also been useful in helping to develop treatments for stroke and cardiac arrhythmia. The tensile strength of spider silk also offers numerous engineering applications including optical communications and body armor. The spider is a scientific marvel.
Spiders in New Jersey: The Spider Population in the Home
The life cycle and mating timetable for the spider is seasonal in nature and so it is normal to see fewer eight-legged friends in the summer and more wandering around in the fall. What may surprise you is that each and every one of these arachnids has probably been living in the home for a while, they are simply more apparent during some months coinciding with their mating season. The life cycle of the spider is relatively short. A spider will hatch in the spring months, then reproduce in the fall and will die before the year is through.
They find their way into the home through a variety of small entrances. It does not take much space for a spider to find its way inside. A loose screen, a crack under the door or window, or any other small opening can let a spider inside. They may come inside looking for food or moisture, or they may be seeking warmth or a mate. Once they find a satisfactory place to stay in the home its likely they will not leave. But a small spider population in the home can be beneficial for pest control, and as long as the species is not harmful, it should not pose a risk to the homeowner.
During the spring and summer months there are just as many benevolent arachnids in the home as in the fall months, however in the late summer and early fall they begin to come out from their nests and webs to explore the home more fully in search of a mate. This does not mean they are more harmful or dangerous, simply that they are easier to encounter during this time.
Spiders in New Jersey: When Is a Spider Problem a Problem?
Only a handful of species are actually considered harmful. The two most known are the black widow spider and the brown recluse. Both are found throughout the United States.
• Black Widow: The black widow is well known for its shiny black body and its bright red hourglass shaped marking. This spider prefers woodpiles and other undisturbed areas. It will not typically be strolling across a room, but if you lift something up that has not been disturbed for weeks or months, take care to check for this spider.
• Brown Recluse: The brown recluse can be light or dark brown and has a marking on its back that resembles a violin. It is typically an outdoor spider, preferring debris and woodpiles, however it may also be found inside in closets, crawlspaces, and attics. Brown recluse bites are rare, however when they occur, they can be serious.
In areas where either of these is a risk, spider control may be necessary. There are other species capable of causing bites which are harmful but not necessarily deadly depending on your geographical location. The hobo spider, for example, has an initially painless bite that can cause a blister and ulceration. The black house spider is poisonous however not lethal; however some people experience nausea and headache.
We also have some helpful information on wasps in New Jersey, and ants in New Jersey. If you are just looking for a no-obligation phone consultation and quote about spiders you can fill in your information below or give us a call.
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