House Spider Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? Spiders are among the most extensively studied creatures in the world.
There are about 47,000 species of spiders known to science today, spanning across different continents and ecosystems. A spiders lifespan varies depending on its species, sex, and environment.
In this article, well focus on house spiders, one of the most common types of spiders found in homes and buildings.Have you ever found yourself wondering what those small, eight-legged creatures you see lurking in the corners of your house are? How long do they live?
This article will tackle the lifespan of house spiders. Well explore their life cycle, factors that affect their longevity, and how they can survive without food or water.
Lets dive in!
House Spider Life Cycle:
Like all spiders, house spiders hatch from eggs. Female spiders lay their eggs in cocoons made of silk.
Depending on the species, a typical spider egg sac can contain more than a hundred eggs. After several weeks, the spiderlings (baby spiders) emerge from the egg sac and begin their journey to adulthood.
Growing up for a spider consists of several molts, or shedding of the exoskeleton. Each time a spider molts, it leaves its old exoskeleton behind and grows a new one.
Molting allows the spider to continue growing, and each subsequent molt brings the spider closer to adulthood. Once a spider reaches adulthood, it no longer molts and can focus on mating and producing offspring.
The lifespan of adult house spiders varies depending on the species and gender. Average Lifespan of Common House Spiders:
The average lifespan of a house spider ranges from one to two years, provided that they have access to food, water, and a suitable environment.
Females tend to live longer than males. The males typically have a shorter lifespan since their sole purpose is to mate with the female.
Once theyve achieved that, they usually die soon after. Factors that Affect Lifespan:
There are several factors that can affect a house spider’s lifespan, including:
1.
Spider-Killing Sprays:
The use of spider-killing sprays can significantly reduce the lifespan of house spiders. These sprays are designed to kill insects on contact and may contain chemicals that are toxic to spiders.
Therefore, its advisable to avoid using spider-killing sprays if you want to have spiders around your home. 2.
Food Source:
House spiders primarily feed on insects, and their lifespan can be affected by the availability of their food source. If there are no insects, the spider may not survive long without a food source.
Other factors that can affect their lifespan include the quality and quantity of their food. Living Without Food, Water, and Underwater:
House spiders are known for their ability to survive without food and water for extended periods.
They can go for weeks without eating and can even survive without water since they can absorb moisture from their environment. Additionally, house spiders are also known to survive underwater for short periods.
Survival:
In conclusion, the lifespan of house spiders varies depending on the species, gender, and environment. Factors that can affect their lifespan include spider-killing sprays and availability of food sources.
However, house spiders are resilient creatures that can survive without food and water for extended periods. If youd like to have spiders around your home, make sure to avoid using spider-killing sprays, provide them with a source of food and water, and avoid destroying their habitat.
In summary, house spiders are an essential part of the ecosystem and can be beneficial to have around your home. Understanding their lifespan and life cycle can help us appreciate them better and learn to coexist with them.
By following the tips above, you can help create a spider-friendly environment around your home while still maintaining a clean and safe living space.
More Information about House Spiders
In addition to their lifespan, house spiders have unique characteristics that make them fascinating creatures to study. In this section, we will discuss some of the interesting facts about house spiders, such as their identification, appearance, mating, and nesting habits.
House Spider Identification:
Two of the most common house spiders are the common house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) and the American house spider (Achaearanea tepidariorum). The common house spider has a round body and is typically brown or dark red in color.
In contrast, the American house spider has a more elongated body and is usually a lighter shade of brown. Appearance and Size:
House spiders are generally small, with a leg span of up to one inch.
Their small size makes them adept at hiding in small spaces and crevices. However, despite their small size, house spiders presence is not easily overlooked when they come into sight.
One of the common characteristics of female house spiders is their large, round abdomen that can widen as they prepare to lay their eggs. Additionally, male house spiders tend to have longer legs compared to females.
Mating and Nesting Habits:
House spiders are solitary creatures that prefer to live in dimly lit areas. They typically mate during the fall season, and the males are known for their unique mating behavior.
The male spider will create a small sperm web and transfer the sperm onto his pedipalps. After transferring the sperm, the male spider will then search for a suitable female to mate with.
Once he finds a female, he taps on her web and waits for her to come to him. Assuming the female accepts him as mating partner, they mate, and the male eventually dies.
The female will create an egg sac that can contain hundreds of eggs. The presence of an egg sac is one of the telltale signs of spiders nests in homes.
The females are protective of their egg sacs and tend to avoid leaving their nests to hunt for food. Why Do House Spiders Come out at Night?
House spiders are nocturnal creatures, and they hunt mainly at night. One of the reasons house spiders come out at night is that they have poor vision during the day.
They are adapted to low light conditions and can detect movement and prey better in the dark. Additionally, house spiders are attracted to light sources, such as lamps, televisions, and computer screens.
This attraction to light can result in them coming out of their hiding places at night in search of light sources. Predators:
Despite their adaptability, house spiders have predators that can reduce their lifespan.
Some of the common predators of house spiders include birds, lizards, and other spiders. In most cases, predatory spiders compete with house spiders for the same prey, and larger predators such as birds and lizards feed on them.
Harmless vs. Poisonous Spider Species:
While house spiders are generally harmless, some species can be poisonous.
However, it is important to emphasize that poisonous spiders are not the same as deadly spiders. Some of the harmless house spiders include the hobo spider, daddy longlegs, and jumping spider.
On the other hand, poisonous house spiders include the black widow and brown recluse spiders. These spiders are known for their venomous bites, which can be dangerous if left untreated.
In conclusion, house spiders may seem like insignificant creatures, but they play a vital role in the ecosystem. These spiders are fascinating creatures to study, and understanding their unique characteristics, such as their identification, appearance, mating habits, and nocturnal behavior, can help us appreciate them better.
While some house spiders may be poisonous, they generally pose little threat to humans, and in fact, they can be beneficial as they help to keep the population of other pests in check.
Getting Rid of House Spiders
While house spiders play a vital role in the ecosystem, they can be a nuisance when they invade our living spaces. Their presence can cause fear and discomfort, especially for arachnophobes.
In this section, well explore various ways of getting rid of house spiders, including prevention methods, removal techniques, and expert help. Prevention Methods:
The best way to get rid of house spiders is to prevent their entry into our homes and buildings.
Some of the effective preventative measures include:
1. Keeping the Home Clean: A clean house is less attractive to spiders and other pests.
Ensure that you clean regularly, sweeping away webs and removing any clutter. 2.
Sealing Cracks and Gaps: Spiders can enter through tiny cracks and gaps in windows and doors. Seal these openings to prevent their entry.
3. Use Spider Repellents: Applying spider repellent around windows and doors can help deter them from entering your home.
4. Keep the Outside Clear: Clear debris and vegetation close to the outside of your home, creating a large barrier or gap that spiders cannot navigate.
Keep the garden and perimeter of your home clear of anything that may attract insects. Removal Techniques:
Vacuuming is an effective way of removing house spiders and their webs.
Vacuum cleaner bags should be discarded promptly after use to reduce the risk of the spider escaping back into your house. However, when you vacuum, ensure that you do not harm the spider or destroy their egg sacs, as this may create more problems.
Insecticides can also be used to kill spiders, but it is important to use them with caution. When using insecticides, follow the manufacturers instructions carefully, and avoid using them near children and pets.
Lastly, use insecticides alongside the vacuum to manage the impact of the spider entry. Sticky traps can also be useful in capturing and removing house spiders from your home.
These traps contain a sticky substance that captures the spider, preventing it from escaping. Sticky traps can be set in areas where spiders are common, such as corners of rooms, baseboards, and windows.
Expert Help:
Removing house spiders can be challenging, especially if they have infested your home or building. In extreme cases, its advisable to seek expert help from pest control companies.
Professionals have extensive knowledge and equipment to tackle spider infestations safely and effectively. Pest control companies use various tools and techniques, such as baits, insecticides, heat treatments, and exclusion techniques, among others.
The professionals understand the behavior and biology of spiders, which enables them to take appropriate measures to manage the infestation. Conclusion:
In conclusion, house spiders may cause fear and discomfort, but getting rid of them does not have to be an uphill task.
A combination of preventative measures and removal techniques can help keep the spider population in check, and in the event of an extreme infestation, expert help is available. However, as much as we may find house spiders disagreeable, its vital that we do not harm them or destroy their habitat, considering their ecological impact.
The goal should always be to minimize their contact with humans while preserving their role in the ecosystem. In conclusion, the lifespan of house spiders, their unique characteristics, and methods of getting rid of them are essential for understanding the role they play in the ecosystem and how to live alongside them without fear or harm.
House spiders are fascinating creatures with different behaviors and survival tactics that make them unique. Its vital to appreciate their value in the ecosystem and take measures that only minimize their contact with humans while preserving their ecological impact.
By following preventative measures, adopting safe removal techniques, and getting help from experts when needed, we can manage the impact of spiders in our living spaces while coexisting with them peacefully. With this knowledge, we can live in harmony with spiders and appreciate the essential role they play in the broader ecosystem.