6 Things Homeowners Need To Know About Giant Crab Spiders
There are many types of spiders that you'll find inside your home or outside in your garden, but few are as menacing looking as giant crab spiders, also known as huntsman spiders. These huge spiders are found in the warmer regions of the United States, from California to Florida. Here's what you need to know about these scary pests.
How giant are they?
As their name suggests, giant crab spiders are quite large. With a legspan of over 2 inches, these spiders are one of the largest that Amerian homeowners are likely to encounter. They range from light to medium brown and walk like crabs. Unlike other spiders, they walk sideways instead of straight forward, and they can do this at high speeds. Their large size and distinctive walking style make them easy to identify.
Where do you find them?
Giant crab spiders are outdoor spiders, so you may see them outside in your garden or crawling on the exterior walls of your house. They can also enter your home, and when they do, they can hide in many places. These spiders have flat bodies and can easily squeeze into tight spaces like gaps between your floorboards or cracks in your walls. You may find them hiding underneath appliances or furniture, so take care when reaching underneath your bed or rearranging your furniture since you may surprise one of these spiders. You may also see them scurrying across your walls or your ceiling when you enter a room
Do they cause infestations?
It's possible for crab spiders to infest your home, but this is not typical. These spiders prefer to live outdoors, and while they may come into your house, they probably won't set up a breeding population there. If your house is infested with another type of pest that spiders like to eat, like ants or cockroaches, a larger population of giant crab spiders can be supported.
How do they get into your house?
Giant crab spiders enter your house through gaps in the exterior, like tears in your window screens or the spaces beneath your doors. To keep these spiders from wandering into your house, make sure to seal these openings. Replace or repair your window screens, install weatherproofing strips underneath your doors, and seal any cracks that you find in the exterior with caulk,
Are they poisonous?
Giant crab spiders have venom that they use to kill their prey, but their venom is not considered dangerous to humans. If you get bitten, you can expect some pain and swelling, though more serious reactions can occur if you are allergic to the venom. People who keep these spiders as pets report that they are aggressive and bite easily, so keep your distance from these spiders and don't try to pick them up.
How do you control them?
If you have a lot of giant crab spiders inside your house, you need to get rid of the other pests that are attracting them and letting their population grow and seal any openings that are allowing them to enter. Next, use insecticides to kill the spiders that are already indoors. If you have a severe infestation, a can of bug spray probably won't be enough, so you should hire a professional pest control company to thoroughly treat your home. They can also spray insecticides along the perimeter of your home to keep more giant crab spiders from wandering indoors,
Giant crab spiders are big and scary looking, and while they're aggressive, they're not dangerous. If your house is infested, have a pest control company like Greenleaf Organic Pest Management help you get rid of them