They're every child's fear. Every cat's plaything. Every house corner's least favorite resident. Was a spider ever anybody's friend?
While they might look like aliens, the truth is that spiders have been crawling around the Earth for more than 400 million years, and we need spiders, perhaps more than we'd like to admit.
So, put down your flyswatter. Drop your broomstick. Let me answer your questions about these creepy-crawly critters and convince you that spiders are friends worth defending.
Are spiders insects?
Spiders are not insects but arachnids. Insects and arachnids are both arthropods- invertebrate animals with a segmented body, a hard exoskeleton, and jointed appendages- but their distinct anatomy separates them into different classes. Insects have six legs, three body segments, mandibles, and often sport antennae. Arachnids, on the other hand, have eight legs, two body segments, chelicerae, and no antennae. Along with spiders, scorpions, ticks, and mites are all kinds of arachnids.
Can spiders hear?
Spiders can hear, but not in the way most animals do. Despite lacking ears, spiders have evolved a different (if not cooler way) to detect vibrations in their environment- the hairs on their legs. These hairs, called trichobothria, are sensitive to solid and airborne vibrations as far as five meters away. That means a spider could hear you from across the room! Why be a fly on the wall when you could be a spider?
How do spiders make webs?
Web-making is an intricate process that requires silk, skill, and spinnerets. Spider silk is composed of different proteins produced in the spider's abdomen. When a spider is ready to spin its web, it draws the liquid silk up to its spinnerets, where it solidifies into a strong, flexible, water-proof thread. Web construction itself varies between species, but as a generalization, spiders will use the wind and their bodies to put down silk in the shape they desire, leaving a space to retreat to when they aren't immobilizing prey or doing web repairs.
Are spiders nocturnal?
Yes! The majority of spiders are nocturnal. This is because of prey availability, temperature regulation, and predator avoidance. Many spiders also engage in courtship rituals that are more successful in the dark.
Which spiders are dangerous?
It's true that the majority of spiders possess venom to help them subdue and digest their prey. However, just because most spiders have venom doesn't mean that most spiders are dangerous. Out of the 50,000 known spider species, only 25 have venom capable enough of hurting people. Those species include :
The Black Widow (North America)
The Brown Recluse (North America)
The Brazilian Wandering Spider (South America)
The Sydney Funnel-web Spider (Australia)
The Redback Spider (Australia)
The Mouse Spider (Australia)
Why are spiders important?
Spiders, even the most venomous ones, are part of maintaining a healthy planet. They eat up to 400 million pests every year that would otherwise destroy our crops and plague our homes. They act as food sources for other animals worldwide. And their near-magical silk has become an invaluable tool in the world of science and engineering, creating biodegradable sutures, durable fabric, and the potential to make life-saving medicine.
Plus, have you seen a peacock spider? They can be so cute!
what can I use as a natural spider-repellent?
I get it; you don't want to kill spiders but you don't want them in your safe space either. Luckily, there are a few natural remedies that will deter spiders from entering your home. Try one of these toxin-free methods to keep the creepy crawlies away!
Vinegar Spray: mix 50/50 water and white vinegar in a spray bottle
Essential Oils: add a few drops of peppermint, lavender, citrus, or tea tree oil to a spray bottle and disperse in corners around your home
To all the spiders out there, crawl on.
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