WHY SPIDERS?
Spiders are air-breathing insects that have eight legs and with fangs that inject venom.
They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other orders of organisms. Spiders are found worldwide on every continent except for Antarctica, and have become established in nearly every habitat with the exception of air and sea colonization. As of 2008, at least 43,678 spider species, and 109 families have been recorded by taxonomists.
Spiders rarely bite people and in the NZ none of our indigenous spiders are considered dangerous. The bite of most spiders has little to no effect on people, while a few others are of minor medical importance.
They are attracted to warm, dark small spaces, like wall cracks, corners, air vents, and in the eaves of your home. Other species prefer to stay closer to the outdoors, weaving their webs in your barn, garden or near your outside lighting. Most spiders are a nuisance primarily because of their webbing.
These are those spiders that like to come on in and dwell with us in our nice warm houses. Others, however, will die in the winter but leave eggs sacs well protected to hatch out next spring. Some actually do prepare for winter by weaving webs under loose bark or building overhangs where they are insulated from the cold.
Then there are some spiders who do hibernate during winter, usually in rock piles and piles of leaves. They don’t sleep continuously so they can go about in search of food on those warmer winter days. They like to prey on other insects who may be hibernating or have decided to move into our warm homes as well.
All spiders are poisonous and although some spider bites can be very painful, very few are harmful to humans in New Zealand. Apex Property Solutions has a wide range of products and services including house washes as well as expert advice on how to help eradicate and prevent spiders.