What Eats Spiders?

Spiders can be scary. And oftentimes people react to them without knowing all of the facts. But New Jersey residents will be happy to learn that most spiders are actually beneficial; working free of charge in homes all across the country ridding countless homes of unwanted pests. That’s why a spider or two is never too alarming, and most of us are content to walk on by knowing they are going to chomp down on a few pesky fruit flies or ants. But if they are feeding on other bugs…what eats spiders?

That’s where we come in: Your local pest control nerds at Kapture Pest Control. We can answer that question and all the others you never knew you had about spiders.

8 Animals that Eat Spiders

From a neighborhood bird to household pets, here’s a list of 8 critters who eat spiders a.k.a. a gardener’s best tools for biological pest control.

Amphibians & Reptiles

Did you know a giant palm salamander can extend its tongue more than half its body length in 7 milliseconds to ingest its prey? Well, now you do! That’s 50 times quicker than you can blink your eyes.

Like most amphibians, giant palm salamanders eat anything they can grip with their strong, sticky tongues, including delicious spiders, slugs, worms, and even bats.

But not all reptiles eat spiders. Some reptiles like tortoises and iguanas are mostly vegetarians and like to eat leafy greens, fruits, and veggies.

Birds

As one of the chief animals that hunt spiders, birds love to make meals out of small and baby spiders. In fact, spiders tend to be many birds’ primary food source and represent a pretty easy type of prey. 

When given free flight opportunities, robins and wrens love to snack on smaller spiders. However, smaller birds must be careful to avoid getting stuck in spiderwebs like hummingbirds.

Household Pets

Have you ever seen your cat or dog batting (what seems to be) thin air? There’s a good chance they were playing with their food! Dogs and cats love chasing, playing with and even munching on spiders.

Should you be worried about it? According to VetsNow, eating and ingesting spiders is unlikely to cause issues.

It’s still good to be aware that most common household pets are good examples of what eats spiders.

Centipedes

Centipedes are natural predators of spiders and seek out high-moisture areas, like under rocks and other debris. When found inside, they’re usually found in damper areas like your basement, bathroom, or even indoor plants, and they use their claws to paralyze spiders and other small creatures.

Note: Though centipedes eat spiders, they also bite humans. If you are seeing multiple centipedes around your home, give us a call. They can also be a sign of other pest infestations you might not see yet!

Monkeys

Some people think monkeys only eat bananas. But that’s not true! As omnivores, monkeys enjoy eating meat and plant-based foods.

Some love flowers, seeds, fruits, and nuts. Other monkeys favor meat, like small lizards, insects, and even like to eat spiders.

The good news is that feeding a monkey isn’t a responsibility for many folks. In fact, it’s illegal in most states, like New Jersey. For those places that say it’s perfectly fine, housing a pet monkey can be expensive even if they’re known to keep the spider population down.

Fish

Spiders who venture around the Hudson river need to be careful! A hungry fish will eat just about anything that drops into the water before it.

On the contrary, a new study suggests spiders in 8 of the world’s 109 arachnid families can catch and eat small fish. It’s a war zone out there!

Humans Eat Spiders Too!

When we think about what eats spiders, we often picture birds, larger insects, lizards, or frogs—but humans can be surprising spider predators too.

In various cultures around the world, people eat insects and even spiders for both sustenance and enjoyment. In parts of Cambodia, for example, fried tarantulas are considered a delicacy, often seasoned and sold as street food. This practice not only reflects culinary tradition but also highlights a sustainable approach to nutrition. So while spiders may love to munch on bugs, in some places, they’re also dinner!

Spider Predators Can Be…Other Spiders

It might surprise you that some of the most non-threatening spiders, like daddy long legs, are one of the creatures that eat spiders—especially the ones that can be dangerous, like the black widow spider.

Portia, a type of jumping spider, also eats other spiders. They’re known for their hunting behavior, suggesting they can learn and problem solve, traits more common in larger animals.

Beware of these Dangerous Spiders

It’s fascinating to learn some of the surprising answers to “What eats spiders?”. But it’s also important to know that not all spiders are your friend. New Jersey is home to several spider species, but only a few are considered potentially dangerous to humans: brown recluse spider, wolf spider, yellow sac spider, and black widow spider.

While some spiders’ venom is more dangerous than others, please see your doctor if you think you’ve been bitten by one of these arachnids.

Call us for Help

At Kapture Pest Control, we are well-versed in the topic of pests, and we know how to recognize what eats spiders, and which of those predators are safe to keep around.

While one or two spiders lurking about isn’t a major red flag, always keep in mind that where there are spiders there are also spider eaters. Whether a dangerous brown recluse or an infestation of common house spiders, please don’t expect your dog or cat to be the solution to ridding your home of pests.

Our Kapture experts can come in and take care of them. We will complete a thorough inspection and work with you on an individualized plan that takes care of your specific needs.

If you are ready to take back your home from those eight-legged freaks along with the bugs that eat spiders, give us a call. We’d be happy to jump on the phone for a free consultation and answer any questions you may have.

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