I get that spiders are good and kill other bugs, but how many is too many?

[BladeVenom]

I usually throw them outside. Sure they are killing bugs that get inside, but it would be even better if they killed those bugs before they get in your house.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I don't like spider webs, I'd even say I have a phobia of it. The way they feel and look. *shudder*. so I kill spiders for that reason and spray my house once a year.

When I bought my house there was spiders everywhere. Really big ones too. The poor old lady that lived there was probably forced into a home because her family thought she was crazy. "No mother, I think you are really seeing things, we need to place you!".

 

[waggy]

we have a bunch of little black spiders and daddy long legs.

 

[LumbergTech]

I set them outside to calm down the gf and daughter, but as long as they aren't poisonous, they don't bother me. I kinda like watching them.

 

[Jeff7]

Jumping spiders patrolling the house would be fine IF:
- The bed is off-limits, unless you specifically see another non-spider arthropod on the bed.
- I am not something to crawl on. Don't rappel down off the ceiling onto my head. Severe bodily injury may result.
- Spider density must be less than 10 per room.
- If you lay down a silk strand, you go back and eat it when you're done with it.
- If breeding, lay eggs beneath my car's rear bumper. Offspring are to disembark at another location upon hatching.

Unfortunately, negotiation with them is currently impossible.


Also, all spiders are venomous. It's just that not all of them are terribly dangerous. Plenty will leave you with something on the order of a beesting.

 

[sandorski]

> 0

 

[TXHokie]

I kill them and impale their dead bodies by the door outside on toothpicks as a warning to other spiders to enter at their own risk. That's how I roll.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Spray your foundation and they'll be gone in a few days.

 

[MustISO]

We quite a few when the weather gets warm, much less in the winter. I really don't see how you can avoid it unless you seal the house 100% or constantly sprays the perimeter of the house with poison. You could move to the penthouse on the 21st floor, too much walking for them and they can't reach the elevator buttons.

 

[GTaudiophile]

You might have a brown recluse infestation. It starts with only a few hiding for the winter between the floor joists and between drywall and outer wall. By the time spring arrives, you have millions behind the walls where you sleep, etc.

 

[M0RPH]

Never intentionally killed a spider, it's bad luck/karma. Spiders won't bother you and they don't scurry like other bugs. The scurrying is what creeps me out about most bugs. Spiders are just chill. If they are too big though, I will move them outdoors.

 

[Reasonable Doubt]

I kill them fvckers on sight! Fvcken hate spiders.

 

[Red Squirrel]

You might have a brown recluse infestation. It starts with only a few hiding for the winter between the floor joists and between drywall and outer wall. By the time spring arrives, you have millions behind the walls where you sleep, etc.

I've always been against sticky traps, but this is a good use for one! :biggrin:

Upside down duct tape actually works pretty well too for catching bugs such as spiders.

It's how I caught this guy:

 

[j&j]

man didn't you see that guys post who at spiders in his protein jar, he almost fucking died and has been shitting spiders for weeks, fuck that. you know one will crawl in your mouth and go down your stomach at night.

 

[Agent11]

Jumping spiders are harmless, and they will eat other spiders as well as pests.

Some people keep them as pets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsGvT2DYJMc

 

[Red Squirrel]

man didn't you see that guys post who at spiders in his protein jar, he almost fucking died and has been shitting spiders for weeks, fuck that. you know one will crawl in your mouth and go down your stomach at night.

I don't know if it's true but or if it's just a myth but apparently we swallow at least 1 spider per night. Some also lay eggs in your mouth, but they usually die. There have been cases where they did not, though. Wakeup with a weird taste or just really dry mouth? Yeah...

 

[mikeymikec]

My rule of thumb is 'the older the house, the greater the number of spiders in it'. Though I've lived in urban areas all my life.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Older houses tend to be sealed more badly, so would make sense. I'm hoping when I get my crawlspace and basement spray foamed it will cut down on bugs drastically.

 

[mikeymikec]

Older houses tend to be sealed more badly, so would make sense. I'm hoping when I get my crawlspace and basement spray foamed it will cut down on bugs drastically.

I tended to assume that it was more about a matriarchal society forming. You remember that bit in Arachnophobia when he has to battle the queen spider?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Older houses tend to be sealed more badly, so would make sense. I'm hoping when I get my crawlspace and basement spray foamed it will cut down on bugs drastically.

I forgot to spray the foundation last fall and surprisingly, we had very few spiders or any insects. Come early spring, spiders were still very few but we had centipedes appearing almost every night after a long absence:

We had a deck ripped out in 2011 and replaced with a paver patio and the centipedes seemed to disappear after that, but they were back with a vengeance 2 or 3 months ago. I personally think they're one of the most incredible bugs alive and while they are one of the "good" bugs, my wife doesn't share my fascination with them. So, one good foundation treatment later and we haven't seen any in weeks.

For you guys having troubles with insects, make sure you check your foundation yearly and if you see cracks or gaps, caulk or seal them. I did that a couple of years ago and it immediately cut down on any unwanted visitors. Additionally, when I spray the foundation, I will generally also lightly spray window/door frames as well. If you do that kind of treatment one a quarter, you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[Murloc]

cats eat the big ones.
If you're seeing a lot of the same species it could just be a brood that hatched, not necessarily an infestation. It happens, just make sure to remove them from the premises everytime you see one.
I usually get them when they're small so they're not freaky.
I like those who feign death as I can just throw them out of the window without smashing them.

I just can't stand centipedes though, too creepy. I just had one last night, I caught it with some toilet paper wrapped around my hand and flushed the fucker.
They're seasonal thankfully, I get visitors only when it gets cold or when they hatch (2 times a year, and different species).
This house never gets sprayed as bugs generally aren't a problem.

 

[John Connor]

Bought a new house in January. No sign of spiders during any of the presale walk through/inspections. No sign of spiders all winter. But 2 weeks ago there was on hanging at right at face level from a light fixture in the kitchen. The cat managed to reach it and scared it off.

But in the last week we have seen 5-7 of what I believe to be jumping spiders based on looks and Google research. That just seems like a lot to me. I figure if we are seeing that many, then there are even more we aren't seeing. But with them most likely being jumping spiders who actually hunt their prey, maybe its normal to see them more often as opposed to spiders that tend to stay hidden near their webs. Below is a picture of a jumping spider(at least according to google)and that is pretty much what they have all looked like. They aren't venomous, so I am not worried about that. But I figure if there are a whole lot of them in the house, then how is that any better then having a bunch of bugs in the house. Any spiders experts know if its normal to see this many spiders in a weeks time?

I believe all spiders are venomous. How do they kill their pray? It's just that their fangs aren't long enough to penetrate your skin. I heard that a daddy long legs was more venomous than a black widow. You can feel a little pinch if you put a daddy long legs on your arm and irritate him.


We live in a house built in 1977 and have fuck loads of spiders. Mostly wolf spiders.

Edit, I guess the daddy long legs isn't as venomous as I thought. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pholcidae#Misconceptions

 

[natto fire]

I believe all spiders are venomous. How do they kill their pray? It's just that their fangs aren't long enough to penetrate your skin. I heard that a daddy long legs was more venomous than a black widow. You can feel a little pinch if you put a daddy long legs on your arm and irritate him.


We live in a house built in 1977 and have fuck loads of spiders. Mostly wolf spiders.

Edit, I guess the daddy long legs isn't as venomous as I thought. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pholcidae#Misconceptions

Bolded is false in fact what some people call daddy long legs (harvestmen) Opiliones, pictured en masse above, are not true spiders at all.

 

[mike208]

Thanks everybody, we will be spraying the foundation. And I'm not too worried about it since they seem harmless(your right all spiders are venomous). They definitely are not brown recluses, so no worries there.

I believe the myth about swallowing spiders in your sleep actually probably stems more from mites, not spiders. But I'm just guessing here. Either way this post has been awesome. The pictures, the comments, all great stuff.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Jumping spiders are harmless, and they will eat other spiders as well as pests.

Some people keep them as pets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsGvT2DYJMc

Jumping spiders are definitely the coolest kind to watch. They're very active and give the impression of paying attention to their surrounding. When they turn their bodies toward you they act like they are actually looking AT you.