Tag Archives: spiders
Why Does it Always Have to be Spiders…?
Creepy crawlies like spiders enjoy lurking in cool, dark places and may even contribute to your Halloween decor, but they are nuisances in many households. Although these 8-legged arthropods are typically unwanted, they are beneficial to the environment as they feed on insects and other arthropods contributing to the balance of nature. There are over 900 species of spiders, but only a few are hazardous to humans, such as widow and recluse spiders. While black widows are well-known throughout the United States, people may be less familiar with… Read More →
The sky is falling… oh it’s just spiders
“Fairies with gossamer wings, bring forth beauty, grace and joyful things.” Dallas television and radio stations yesterday were obsessed with reports of strange white silk dropping out of the skies over north Texas. Although this is an annual phenomenon, it always seems to catch many unawares. The silken strands falling from the skies are spider silk. The English called it “gossamer”, the Germans call it the “flying summer”. Whatever you call it, this silken shower is evidence of a massive spider dispersal that takes place every year, especially in… Read More →
Spider woes
I just received a question through our eXtension “Ask an expert” site that I think might be of general interest. It has to do with spiders. The person wrote: “I have a [lakefront] home… northwest of Fort Worth. The lake facing side of the house has a severe external spider infestation under the high eaves over a sizable deck. The spiders produce massive amounts of webs which must be removed with a pressure washer every few months, which requires 12 to 14 hours of uncomfortable labor. How can… Read More →
