Spider Identification & Prevention

What You Should Know About Spiders In Naples

Spiders certainly aren't a welcome sight around your property, and if you experience an infestation, it can be intrusive and unpleasant, to say the least. The good news is that most spider species aren't harmful. Some of them bite, and some can be venomous, but the majority of spider species that you'll find in the area don't pose a real threat.

In fact, spiders can actually be beneficial to us. Since they feed on garden pests and insects, they help control insect populations around your property. They're mostly an outdoor problem, but they can get inside your property as well. There are many ways in which spiders gain access to local homes and businesses.

Sometimes they get in through a screen door or via cracks and crevices around your structure. You'll often find them in garages, attics, crawl spaces, and basements. It really depends on the specific species and their particular needs and behaviors. Let's go over some of the common spider species in our area. These three invaders are all spiders, but they all have distinct characteristics. Read on to learn more about orb weavers, redbacks, and wolf spiders.

Orb-Weaver Spiders

There are over 3,000 species of orb weavers throughout the world, including large populations here in North America. They range in all different sizes and variations, making them unique. However, one thing that makes all orb-weavers the same is their web-spinning behavior.

Orb-weaver spiders construct the classic-looking, round and orb-like webs, hence the name. Their iconic webs consist of concentric circles and spokes - which are the lines emerging from the center, directed outwards to anchor points at the edge of the web.

Most orb weaver webs are constructed vertically, perpendicular to the ground. However, some species do weave horizontal webs. Additionally, some species spin a zig-zag pattern through their web as well.

Regardless of the specifics, these strongly-spun webs can measure over two feet in diameter. Orb-weavers usually appear in the spring, and their webs reach their largest size in late summer and early fall. Here's some more info to help you in your orb-weaver identification efforts:

Appearance

• Orb-weavers measure around 1/4 to 1 inch long.
• The males are smaller than the females.
• They have eight eyes arranged in two rows.
• Their large abdomens have distinct markings and colors.

Habitat

• They feed on small insects, so they're usually found in places near prey.
• They weave their webs near structures, giving their construction ample support.
• Orb-weaver webs are often around light fixtures at night.
• They are also commonly found weaving webs in tree branches, bushes, and tall grass.

Behavior

• Females weave the webs while males are out looking for reproductive partners.
• They lay eggs in the fall, and eggs mature in the spring. (1 egg sac can hold over 700 eggs.)
• They are docile in nature, and non-aggressive, only reacting when provoked.
• Orb weavers catch their prey in their webs, killing them by wrapping them in silk.

Redback Spiders

Redback spiders, also known as Australian black widows, are threatening spiders that all property owners should know about. Like the black widow, they have neurotoxic venom that can have serious consequences. They are one of the more dangerous spider species to be aware of, as their poisonous bite can cause extreme pain serious health conditions. 

The good news is that anti-venom can treat these adverse health reactions and is a popular and useful way to treat redback spider bites and avoid illness. Let's go over some more details to get you familiar with red backs.

Appearance

• The female redback spider has a black body with red stripes on the upper side of the abdomen. (Males are lighter in color and have less distinctive markings.)
• Redback spiders are known to have an hourglass-shaped streak on the underside of their abdomen.
• They measure between 3/16 and 3/4 of an inch in length; the female body resembles the size of a large pea.
• Redback spiderlings are grey with dark spots, gradually becoming darker over time as the spots come together to form their distinctive stripes.

Habitat 

• Redback spiders are most common in the summer, less in winter.
• They inhabit warm locations, remaining concealed during the day and weaving their webs at night.
• They build their webs in dry, sheltered sites, like logs, shrubs, junk piles, sheds, rocks, etc.
• The strong silk webs are messy and tangled, with a funnel structure where silk threads emerge.

Behavior

• They prey on insects but are also known to catch larger animals like lizards, crickets, and other spiders.
• Male redback spider lives for 6-7 months, while females live between 2-3 years.
• Redbacks can survive up to 100 days without food; the female consumes the male after mating. 
• Each female can lay up to ten egg sacs, and there are around 250 eggs per sac, allowing them to repopulate and recolonize very quickly.

Wolf Spiders

There are over 100 species of wolf spiders throughout the U.S. and Canada, meaning local homes and businesses could very well experience an infestation. While the thought of a spider infestation is alarming, the good news is that wolf spiders can't hurt you. In fact, they're beneficial as they feed on outdoor insects like garden and crop pests. Here are some more details to keep in mind:

Appearance

• Wolf spiders have hairy bodies and are sometimes mistaken for tarantulas.
• They have a distinct eye pattern, with eight eyes arranged in two rows.
• They are usually dark brown with paler stripes and markings on their abdomen.
• They measure between 1/4 and 1 3/8 inches long, and their bodies are stout and robust with long spiny legs.

Habitat

• Wolf spiders are most common in the late summer and early fall as they look for warm breeding locations.
• When inside, wolf spiders remain near floor level, staying along walls and under furniture.
• When outside, you'll find them under stones, firewood, landscaping, leaves, debris, tall shrubs, and dense grass.
• They stay in sheltered spots during the day and are more active at night when they seek out prey.

Behavior

• Wolf spiders don't hunt with webs; they chase their prey and are very fast.
• Because they chase their prey in the open, people commonly see them.
• They only bite when provoked, but they are active hunters eager to pounce on their prey.