Spiders are incredibly diverse creatures, with over 40,000 species inhabiting our planet. While most spiders are harmless, it’s essential to be able to identify them to ensure a spider-free environment. Understanding spider identification can help you distinguish between various spiders and take appropriate measures. In this guide, we’ll explore common spider species and their characteristics.
Cellar spiders, commonly known as daddy-long-legs, are characterised by their long legs and are often found in corners of cellars or cold, damp basements. These harmless spiders build delicate webs that can be easily removed by clearing cobwebs and reducing moisture. It’s important not to confuse cellar spiders with another similar-looking creature known as the “harvestman” or “daddy longlegs.” Harvestmen are not true spiders, lacking certain spider traits, such as silk-producing glands and distinct body parts.
Fishing spiders, often called wolf spiders, can be distinguished by their unique eye pattern. These spiders can reach a width of 7.5 cm and commonly inhabit areas near cottages and waterfronts, especially around rocks along the beach. Unlike wolf spiders, fishing spiders carry their eggs in a circular sac attached beneath their head and front thorax. After hatching, they spin a protective web for their spiderlings. This behaviour sets them apart from wolf spiders, which carry their egg sac at the rear of their bodies.
House and black widow spiders belong to the same family but differ in their preferred habitats. Indoors, one can frequently find house spiders, whereas black widows tend to inhabit dark crawl spaces, garages, or outhouses. The appearance of these spiders varies, with house spiders ranging from dirty white to almost black; black widow spiders possess a sleek, black bodies adorned with a striking red hourglass-shaped mark on the abdomen. House spiders build their webs in dark corners, while black widows create silk webs closer to the ground, often in secluded areas such as garages, sheds, or beneath rocks and fallen trees.
Black widow spiders are generally non-aggressive and prefer to flee when disturbed. Bites are rare and typically occur only in self-defence. If you suspect the presence of black widow spiders, take caution when working near spider webs in secluded locations, and consider wearing protective gloves if necessary.
Among spiders, wolf spiders stand out as they actively hunt their prey instead of building webs to catch it. These spiders can grow up to 3 cm long and have a brownish colouration. Female wolf spiders carry a large, white, circular egg sac attached to their bodies until the eggs hatch. The spiderlings cling to the mother’s back for about a week before dispersing. Wolf spiders commonly inhabit grasslands, woodland floors, shorelines, and backyards. During autumn, they may seek warmth and often enter homes during that season.
Trust Steam n Dry Spider Identification and Control Auckland Service for professional spider identification and control services in Auckland. Our experts guarantee effective spider control in North Shore, South Auckland City, East, and West Auckland. If you are still determining the type of spider you’re dealing with, it’s best to contact a professional pest control service like ours. Auckland Steam n Dry Pest Control offers free quotes and will develop a customised plan to eliminate spiders from your home or business. Indeed, we adhere rigorously to the Residential Pesticide Applicator and Environmental Protection Pesticide Business License regulations, ensuring that our pest control services meet the highest government standards.
If you need professional assistance with spider identification and control in Auckland, contact Steam n Dry Spider Identification and Control Auckland Services at 0800 199 399 or via email.
This was written by Graeme Stephens, an experienced IICRC Master Restoration Technician since 2001, with over 36 years of expertise in disinfecting, cleaning, and pest control Auckland services.
Updated Last: June/20/2023
