SPIDERS

1. Cellar Spiders
2. Wolf Spiders
3. Orb Weaver Spiders
4. Fishing Spiders
5. Widow Spiders

Depending on species, spiders can range from 3 mm to 50 mm long. Spiders are often recognized by their eight legs, two basic body parts, and two rows of commonly eight eyes. Their colours often vary depending on species. The cephalothorax and the abdomen are the two body segments of a spider. The cephalothorax includes the fangs, venom glands, and eyes while the abdomen house the organs and spinnerets which is the organ responsible for creating silk. Spider vision range between basic light differentiation or almost be as clear as mammalian vision with the ability to perceive colour.

DIET:

Spiders mainly eat insects such as flies and mosquitos but, depending on size and species, they can eat small animals like birds and lizards.

LIFECYCLE:

Widow spiders are able to create around 300 eggs for every egg sac and are able to create greater than 10 sacs over the course of a few months. Newly emerged spiders stick with the mother for a small time before going out on their own. This is usually done by ballooning, a form of air transportation that is done by spiders releasing silk for the wind to catch and carry them away. Some spider species are social but mostly spiders are solidary.

Spiders, on occasion, can and will bite humans if they feel threatened. This will occur when a spider feels it's territory is being invaded or if the intruder is placing their life at risk. Though it is rare, it can still happen and it is important to know how to identify a spider bite.

In Canada especially, widow spiders are the most dangerous spider to people and its bite can feel like a little poke or sometimes it is not felt at all. Symptoms being to develop in the hour that consist of extreme pain, muscle spasms, and sweating around the bitten area along with agitation and headaches. The bitten area and may appear red and swollen and if  left untreated, can become infected.

Unlike most pests, spiders do not cause any property damage with their presence. Their webs are used for shelter and hunting. Spiders are extremely important pests as their role as one of the top predators of insects keep the food chain balanced and ensure the infestation and over growth of more concerning pests does not rise. The most important issue when it comes to spiders would be the rare occasion that they bite humans. Although spiders do not damage property, a spider infestation is not a comfortable sight to see and can trigger arachnophobia in a small percentage of people.

Unidentifiable bite marks, webs gathering in the corners of a home, or egg sacs found can be a clear indication that a home may have spiders. Whether a home is infested severely will be determined with several bite marks on the skin, broken webs scattered about, and several spiders already encoutered.

Ensure any cracks in a home are sealed and windows and doors are not left open for too long without an insect shields. Spiders prefer to live in dark, small areas of a home so confirm that any tears, cracks, or holes in a home are properly repaired. Keep the property clean and remove any webs that are found in an attempt to deter the spiders away from the home.

If an infestation is found to be severe then contacting a professional pest control service would be the best option.