Common Types of Spiders on Cape Cod
Cape Cod can seem like a paradise. With its sandy beaches, blue waters, and cute towns, it is an ideal place to call home. Unfortunately, this oceanfront paradise is also home to a number of insects and other pests. One of these is spiders. Let’s take a look at some of the spiders you are most likely to encounter when living on the Cape.
Common House Spider
As its name suggests this is one of the most common spiders to find in your home. It is also called the American house spider and its scientific name is parasteatoda tepidariorum. These spiders range in color from tan to nearly black, often with various shades and patterns on their body. The females are generally between 5 and 6 millimeters long, while males are generally between 3.8 and 4.7 millimeters long. The common house spider builds webs to catch prey, which usually includes flies and other small insects. Fortunately, the common house spider is not hostile towards humans, usually only biting if grabbed or squeezed.
Cellar Spider
A cellar spider is any spider from the Pholcidae family, and actually refers to hundreds of different species of spider. These spiders are commonly known as daddy long-legs. They can easily be identified by their extremely long and thin legs, and their body size can range between 1 millimeters and 11 millimeters in length. Cellar spiders tend to build their webs in dark and moist places, hence the name cellar spider. These webs are often messy and irregularly shaped. Unlike the webs of most spiders, the web of cellar spiders is not sticky, instead relying on the irregular shape to entangle prey. While they have been known to bite, cellar spiders will usually only do so when threatened.
Wolf Spider
Wolf spiders are any spider that is a member of the family Lycosidae. These spiders can range from 10 to 35 millimeters in size, and their coloration will depend on their habitat, as they have evolved to use camouflage to their advantage. Additionally, wolf spiders can be identified by their eight eyes being arranged in three rows. The bottom row consists of four small eyes, the middle row has two very large eyes, and the top row has two medium-sized eyes. This gives them amazing eyesight when compared to other types of spiders. Unlike most spiders, wolf spiders do not spin webs. Instead, they are agile hunters that go after their prey. However, while they are avid hunters, wolf spiders are very docile towards humans, and will usually only bite when continuously provoked.
Jumping Spider
A jumping spider is any spider in the family Salticidae. These spiders vary widely in size from 1 millimeter to 25 millimeters. Their four front legs are usually much larger than those in the rear. Jumping spiders are known for having some of the best vision among spiders, even possessing the ability to see some colors. They use this incredible sense of sight in courtship, hunting, and navigation. As their name suggests, this spider is able to leap large distances. This ability is used both to aid in hunting and to simply cross large gaps. Jumping spiders will usually not bite humans, but will do so if they feel trapped.
Sac Spider
Sac spiders are nocturnal creatures and are mostly known for building sacs that they retreat to during the day. These sacs are used for shelter and to lay eggs, not to trap prey. Instead, sac spiders stalk their prey using a combination of eyesight and vibration detection. Sac spiders can vary in appearance, but can be identified by having eight eyes arranged in two rows of four, as well as by having conical anterior spinnerets that touch. While not hostile, sac spiders are known to be defensive. If you disturb them, especially when in their sac, they are likely to bite.
Are There Poisonous Spiders on Cape Cod?
Yes, there are poisonous, or more accurately put, venomous spiders on Cape Cod. Even some of the common spiders listed above, such as the wolf spider and cellar spider, inject venom when they bite. However, these specific spiders’ venoms are not dangerous to humans. In most cases. it will only cause a slight bit of discomfort or itchiness. That is not to say that all spiders on the Cape are harmless. In fact, the northern black widow spider and brown recluse are occasionally known to call the Cape home. These are the only spiders in Massachusetts whose venom will seriously harm humans. Fortunately, they are not aggressive and will usually only bite when provoked. Still, it is best to use caution when near or handling spiders of any sort.
How to Get Spiders Out of Your Home
There are steps you can take to get spiders out of your home. First, you should remove clutter, such as boxes, old newspapers, and piles of clothes. Then vacuum aggressively, especially in areas you have seen spiders, taking care to remove all webs and vacuum all cracks and crevices. Also, remove clutter outside of your house, removing piles of dead leaves and any other cover. Remove outdoor webs as well. Next, you should seal entry points. This includes caulking cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and where utilities enter your home to prevent spiders from getting inside. Finally, you should turn off unnecessary outdoor light sources. Lights will attract other insects that spiders feed on, which will then attract spiders. Oftentimes, these steps can be difficult to accomplish on your own. It is wise to hire professionals for spider treatment. This will give you the best spider control in Cape Cod.