Spiders have a bad rep for being dangerous and aggressive. But residents of the Garden State will be happy to learn that most spiders are actually beneficial; working free of charge in homes all across New Jersey (and the rest of the country) ridding countless homes of unwanted critters. 

Many of us know this. That’s why a spider or two is never too alarming, and most of us are content to walk on by (providing the spider in question isn’t too scary looking), knowing they are going to chomp down on a few pesky fruit flies or ants. But if you’re anything like us, you may find yourself wondering what on earth chomps down on spiders? 

Enter stage right: Your local pest control nerds at Kapture Pest Control. Today we’ll be answering exactly that question and the other questions you never knew you had about spiders. 

8 Critters that Prey on Spiders

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

#1 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. 

The Brazilian Tree frog, only one frog species, is a vegetarian, munching on berries and fruits. 

#2 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. 

#3 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. 

Additionally, other common household pets, like our furry friends, lizards, frogs, hedgehogs, and birds, are good examples of what eats spiders. 

#4 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!

#5 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. Some monkeys favor meat, like small lizards, insects, and spiders.  

Luckily, feeding a monkey isn’t responsibility for many folks. In fact, it’s illegal in most states, like New Jersey. For those states that say it’s perfectly fine, housing a pet monkey can be expensive, but as a “pro,” they’re known to keep the spider population down. 

#6 Centipedes

Centipedes thrive in high-moisture areas, like under rocks, trash, or vacating a rotten log. When they invade a home, they’re found in a damp basement, bathroom, potted plant, or crawlspace. 

Luckily, this anthropoid helps keep the spider population under control. Fortunately, they are carnivorous and use their claws to paralyze spiders and other small creatures. 

Note: Though centipede eat spiders, it’s essential to reach out to us if you’re experiencing an abundance of centipedes invading your home. 

#7 Humans

Scary, sliming, “the size of a Buick” – we use many terms when describing spiders, but “yummy” isn’t a common one. In the United States, ingesting tiny black bugs can be found on reality TV shows like Fear Factor. However, in other parts of the world, like Thailand, people are no strangers to entomophagy. 

Entomophagy, the practice of eating insects, especially by humans, has mixed reviews worldwide. For the health and safety of our clients, we do not condone eating bugs.

#8 Other spiders

What do daddy long legs eat? Interestingly enough, some of the most non-threatening spiders, like daddy long legs, will feed on spiders that can be dangerous, like the black widow spider. 

Here’s another smart cookie for you. A genus of the jumping spider, Portia feeds off of 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

Humans don’t always lead pest control. However, these eight critters are an excellent example of how nature takes the lead. 

However, in New Jersey, there are four poisonous spiders that you need to be on the lookout for, including the brown recluse spider, wolf spider, yellow sac spider, and black widow spider. 

You should seek emergency medical treatment if there’s a chance you’ve been bitten by one of these spiders. 

Call us for Help

From our furry friends at home to fish in the Hudson River, the question of what eats spiders is answered. But don’t count on these critters to control a pest problem. 

Whether a dangerous or an infestation of common house spiders, please don’t leave it to the house cat or neighborhood birds to take care of these 8-legged critters. 

Kapture can come in and take care of them in no time for you. In addition, we can help customize a treatment plan for your budget. 

If you find yourself in an arachnid-related situation or have questions about insects, give us a call for information. We’d be happy to jump on the phone for a free consultation.