October is the perfect time to talk about spiders.  With all things Halloween interest is high.  And, with cooler temperatures upon us arachnids are feasting on insects seeking shelter from coming winter and some are in fall migration mode. While used to seeing webs outdoors and in window sills most people rarely see these beneficial but somewhat creepy creatures. Too many get “freaked out” over them. Like all creatures spiders do have a purpose and we can admire their characteristics without getting too cozy with them.

On a recent trip to the South West we were startled to see “leaves” scuttling across the open road when no wind was blowing. Turns out they were young male tarantulas looking to stake their territory.  Amazed, we stopped to film as dozens of hairy eight-legged dudes hustled across the wide open spaces of asphalt to the security of the taller grasses.  Later at Old Fort Bent National Historic Site, La Junta, Colorado, the Ranger explained the migration phenomenon to us sharing how he and his wife had counted scores on a recent short evening drive. We opted to “motel” that night over tent out. Tarantula Migration

It’s one thing to see spiders outside and avoid them. It’s another to know they are “in your space.” Few indoor sightings are as startling as spotting a spider……sometimes a large one…..on the basement floor, wall, or even ceiling. Too many people misunderstand and fear these eight legged animals.

Spiders live in homes for at least two reasons. Like box elder bugs and mice they know cold weather is coming and seek warm places to overwinter. Homes offer more than warmth. They are also a fruitful hunting ground for these super predators. Most houses, even those kept especially clean, are an ecosystem of insects and other invertebrates that spiders catch and devour. Both the bugs and their hunters are usually most numerous down in the basement, where they find more consistent temperature and higher humidity than upstairs. Darkness doesn’t trouble them.
Some spiders are conspicuous while others remain out of sight, but there are likely many more in the house than are ever spotted.

The spider downstairs could be one of many species. Most don’t build webs but catch their prey by either waiting in ambush and pouncing on a hapless insect or running it down. The dark basement can be like a miniature Serengeti, with spiders taking the predatory role of lions and insects the antelope prey. They help keep household insect numbers down.

Although some spiders can inflict a painful bite that is slow to heal, the odds of being bitten by a house spider are low. Thoroughly caulking and weather stripping a home makes it harder for both spiders and cold air to enter. Spiders are arachnids, not insects, but most common household insecticides kill them. At Winding Pathways we shun the poisons and try to live and let eat!