Spiders: How Many Are Too Many? (New York, York: house, live in, gardening)

[purelygeneric]

I know, I know: When you see spiders, you don't see other bugs.

But I've been seeing a lot of spiders and Webs in my basement and along the perimeter of my house. I don't mind a few to keep the other pests away, but I think I might have a problem...and I don't want the # to keep growing.

Is there a way to wipe them out in a safe/inexpensive way?

Also, I could swear that I killed a brown recluse hanging out by my garbage can last night. It was my understanding that they are not in New York...

[suzook]

ortho home defense spray. spray the perimeter of the house, and basement. in a few days, all will be gone. do this once a month, and you will have no bugs.

[Samrai309]

Originally Posted by purelygeneric

I know, I know: When you see spiders, you don't see other bugs.

But I've been seeing a lot of spiders and Webs in my basement and along the perimeter of my house. I don't mind a few to keep the other pests away, but I think I might have a problem...and I don't want the # to keep growing.

Is there a way to wipe them out in a safe/inexpensive way?

Also, I could swear that I killed a brown recluse hanging out by my garbage can last night. It was my understanding that they are not in New York...

Chances are it was a Wolf spider. They look similar to the Recluse at first glance unless your daring enough to get close to see the features.

Here are two pics. First is the recluse. Second is the wolf:




Spiders do eat mosquitos and other pests but once inside, its a different beast. Unless you see other bugs,which I do not think thats your issue, this is just probably more of a nuisance. Spiders will move into an area only if it is capable of supporting their need for food. Without a good supply of food, they will either die or relocate. If a spider is able to establish a web in your home and is able to feed itself on a regular basis, you may want to get some spray or dust (similar to flea powder). Any perimeter spray will do the trick, but if you are looking for just inside treatment, make sure you have no small children or pets near the sprayed area until its dry. Spray will work fastest. Dusts are safer and are good deterrents.

[lialleycat]

With all the rain last month, it's going to be a very buggy summer - especially mosquitoes. I've seen a lot of spiders lately and I'm leaving them be to do their job and earn their keep. They'll eat each other when they run out of anything else to eat, then move on.

In my house I've seen cellar spiders, wolf spiders, and jumping spiders. Though I think we do have brown recluse on LI mostly due to unintended transport from other areas, it's most likely you saw a wolf spider as Samrai suggested.

Here's info on the brown recluse: eNature: FieldGuides: Species Detail

[KENNY GUIDO]

Originally Posted by lialleycat

and jumping spiders.

SPIDER CRICKETS......they arent really spiders but are a pain in the butt!

I used to think killing spiders were bad, thanks to my mother, who said they were good luck but the house I live in had tons of them and frankly, I kill em all! my friend said he was bit by a spider in florida and his arm blew up to twice its size and agrees that they should be killed on site. my garage was infested with them.

[lialleycat]

Spider Crickets? Had to look that one up. I know them as Camel Crickets. That's not what I have in the house. I'm talking about the black jumping spiders - a bit on the hairy side, usually with a white spot or lines on them. If you get close to them and 'threaten' them with something like a blade of grass, they will flash their metalic green mouthparts at you. Pretty cool actually. Then of course there is also their other defense, which is to jump at you. Not as cool! LOL!

Daring Jumping Spider - eNature: FieldGuides: Species Detail

Camel Cricket (aka cave cricket, spider cricket) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhaphidophoridae

[thebobs]

Actually rather than kill the spider, if you're daring enough, get a plastic cup, catch them with it and put them outside in your garden. Let them help with the gardening.