Autumn is here, and it’s the time for those eight-legged insects to come crawling out of their hiding places and into our rooms. As the temperature starts to drop, you will start noticing more and more spiders emerging in and around your house. This common perception has led to the rise of several notions about spiders. We at All Solutions Pest Control feel it our duty to inform you of the correct information to avoid any panic and misconception you may have started to develop. We are concerned about the welfare of all the people and want to help you in protecting your home from the nuisance of spiders.
Is there really something known as ‘spider season’? The answer to this depends on how you look at the phrase. It is quite true that the cold weather in the fall and winter seasons incite spiders to enter our homes to find shelter from the harshness outside. But it is not entirely true. In fact, if you observe closely, you can find spiders all year round, especially those that mostly dwell inside houses. These household spiders do not venture out as much, so they can be found in your house for the entire year.
So, why does everyone believe that the late summer and early fall mark an increase in the number of spiders everywhere around? The answer is quite simple. It’s their mating season! It is the time when the male spiders come out of their dwelling places and start looking around for potential females to mate. It usually lasts for nearly two months. If you’re afraid of spiders, then this period will feel like a nightmare to you.
Out of fear of an infestation, the spider-related calls at our place too increase during this time as people start calling over for help. Although there is no spider season, the period from late summer to early fall can show you the spiders living in your home without your knowledge. But don’t worry, the period lasts only for a short while, and you can safely pass it by avoiding them entirely.
When Actually Is the Spider Season?
Answering this question is pretty easy. You just need to know when autumn begins because that is the time when spiders come out in search of mates, and you will likely be staring at a swarm of them in your house, big and small.
Regardless of your location – be it Florida, Massachusetts, California, Arizona, Missouri, or anywhere else- spider season is common everywhere and occurs during the early fall. The best way to know the time is to observe when the first leaves begin to fall, which is usually around September to October. Midway through autumn, most spiders have already found their mates.
So, as the cold weather begins to settle in, brace yourself to come face-to-face with some of the terrifying-looking spiders. However, spiders are generally docile in nature and won’t necessarily harm you voluntarily unless they feel threatened. So, do your best not to make them feel angry or threatened!
Which Spiders Should You Look Out For?
Spiders are pretty terrifying, aren’t they? A simple sight of a house spider makes people scurry out of sight as fast as possible. But luckily, these creatures are rarely dangerous. People often get terrified of the giant house spider because of its size and petrifying appearance, but they seldom bite people, and even if they do, their bites are not at all painful, nor do they cause any problems.
Most spiders that you commonly see around your house are the least dangerous. However, there are a few species that you need to take note of. These are the ones that can hurt you or your family. Here are some of the deadliest spiders of North America that you may find roaming in and around your house:
Brown Recluse
The brown recluse is quite infamous for its deadly venom, and a single bite from this spider can rip your flesh apart and cause death if not treated immediately. These spiders are mostly found in dark locations and are known to multiply quickly. You can easily spot one of these from their dark-colored ‘violin’ pattern on the back.
Hobo Spider
This species of spider can be found in the Pacific Northwest and are popularly known for building funnel web outdoors. Many years back, it was believed that the bite of the Hobo spiders caused the body tissues to decay around the area of the bite. However, recent research has revealed that the venom present in these spiders does not contain any substance that might lead to the decay of body tissues.
Black Widow
Perhaps the most easily recognizable among all spider species, black widows are extremely feared for their deadly venom. One of the largest spiders, the black widow, has a reddish hourglass-shaped abdomen, which makes it stand out easily among all the spiders. The bites of these spiders are known to cause severe muscle pain followed by cramping, although they rarely lead to death. Black widows are almost found across the entire country except on the eastern coast.
What Happens After Spider Season?
Well, this is an interesting question, for its answer varies from one spider species to another. However, unfortunately, the male spiders usually meet a tragic ending after this period. They either die or are eaten right after they have found their mates.
Yes, you read that right. Some female spiders eat their male partners! After mating, the female spiders need lots of energy and nutrition to lay their eggs, and they gain that energy by eating the male spiders.
However, it’s not the same in all species. In others, after the mating is complete, the males move on to look for another mate. These male spiders live long lives and always wander around from one place to another.
Once the spider season is over, you’ll find a mesh of cobwebs around your home, which are the leftovers of spiderwebs after their owners have abandoned them. Remove them soon to prevent an ugly sight. In case you are terrified to do this yourself, give us a call at All Solutions Pest Control.
