There are about 50,000 species of spiders on our planet. The most dangerous of them live in Australia, but there are also many different types of spiders in Russia. Many of them are completely harmless and even useful. These amazing creatures live in our apartments, helping to get rid of small pests such as moths and mosquitoes. You probably notice them every day: sometimes they quietly descend on a web, sometimes they sit in the corner of the bathroom. These amazing creatures have long adapted to life in houses. They like to live next to us, because our apartments are warm all year round and there is always something to snack on. Do you want to know what types of spiders live next to us?
All spiders living in our homes are harmless, and even beneficial
Contents
- 1 Where do spiders come from in an apartment?
- 2 What spiders live in apartments
- 2.1 Harvestmen in an apartment
- 2.2 House spider
- 2.3 Jumping spiders
- 3 How to get rid of spiders in an apartment
Where do spiders come from in an apartment?
Spiders can get into our apartments in various ways. Here are some of the main ways they get in.
The most commonly used routes are open windows and doors without protective screens. Spiders easily get through cracks in frames and make their homes in warm places.
Another way spiders get into houses is ventilation systems. They often have numerous cracks that spiders use to get inside.
Many spiders enter homes through windows
They can also crawl through invisible cracks and crevices in walls, floors, or window frames. In addition, spiders can be accidentally brought into the house along with food and new furniture.
Some types of spiders can enter homes through water pipes or sewers, especially if there is damage there.
What spiders live in apartments
Usually it is impossible to meet any exotic spiders in apartments. As a rule, representatives of the same species penetrate our homes.
Haymakers in the apartment
In Russian apartments you can often meet haymakers, which many people confuse with spiders. However, these are completely different creatures, only possessing arachnid features. They differ from real spiders in the wide base between the cephalothorax and abdomen, as well as the absence of webbing and poison.
Harvesting bat close-up. Source: wikimedia.org
Harvesting bats often appear in our homes, and you've probably already seen these unusual creatures with long, thin legs that can reach several centimeters in length.
One of the interesting features of harvestmen is their amazing ability to easily discard their legs when threatened. These limbs continue to move, distracting predators while the harvestman flees. Unfortunately, lost legs do not regenerate.
Phalangiform phallus (Pholcus phalangioides)
Although harvestmen are completely harmless, their unusual appearance and long legs often cause fear in people. However, there is no need to be afraid of them, as they play an important role in the ecosystem, feeding on small insects.
When you see a harvestman at home, there is a high probability that it is a phalangeal …The house spider, also known as Tegenaria domestica, is an inconspicuous nocturnal hunter that is also often found in our homes and apartments. Its web is a real work of art in the form of a funnel-shaped net designed to catch insects. The spider hides in a secluded place and waits for its prey to get entangled in the threads. The web is designed in such a way that vibrations from the victim caught in it are instantly transmitted to the spider, and it reacts to the signal with lightning speed.
What a house spider looks like. Source: dzen.ru
These spiders are not aggressive and pose no danger to humans. Despite the presence of poison, they are not able to bite human skin. The house spider prefers to hunt small insects such as flies, moths and other pests, bringing benefits by clearing your home of unwanted guests. On average, such a spider can catch up to 10-12 insects per day, creating reserves for the future.
House spider close-up, they are actually smaller. Source: pinterest.com
Interestingly, house spiders do not stay in one place for long. They change their web every 2-3 weeks to avoid accumulation of debris and remains of their prey. Therefore, if you notice a house spider in your apartment, know that it is only a temporary “resident” that will soon change its habitat.
Jumping spiders
Jumping spiders (Salticidae) are one of the most interesting and active representatives of the spider world. They are small in size, usually not exceeding 20 mm, and often end up in houses, accidentally running in from the street.
Jumping spiders are the most beautiful family of arthropods. Source: wallpaperflare.com
These amazing spiders have excellent vision, which allows them to hunt during the day without a web. Their large front eyes can see up to 40 centimeters away, which is incredible for their size.
Jumping spiders can jump significant distances, and before jumping, they attach a safety line so that they can return back if they fail. Unlike many other spiders, they hunt actively, using complex maneuvers and precise jumps.
Jumping spiders do not grow more than a few centimeters. Source: fishki.net
Males often stand out with bright colors, especially during mating dances. Jumping spiders are not aggressive, and their accidental appearance in the house does not pose a threat to humans. Rather, they are simply exploring the territory in search of food.
5 of the creepiest spiders in Australia: you will be shocked by the photos
How to get rid of spiders in the apartment
To keep your home free of spiders, it is best to start with regular cleaning. It is recommended to remove cobwebs in corners and under furniture using a vacuum cleaner – this is the most effective method. You also need to check all the cracks and crevices in the walls, windows and doors and fill them so that spiders cannot get inside.
If you do not want to use chemicals, you can try natural repellents, such as peppermint oil or vinegar. Simply spray them in the corners to repel unwanted guests.
To keep spiders out of your home, you need to keep everything clean. Source: stock.adobe.com
Another way is to install mosquito nets on your windows. They protect apartments well not only from spiders, but also from insects like annoying mosquitoes.
With a little effort, you can create a comfortable space free of spiders!
Be sure to subscribe to our Zen channel. This way you won't miss anything interesting!
Spiders always evoke mixed feelings in us, from curiosity to fear. Although many of them are harmless, there are also dangerous species. One of these spiders, found in Russia, can cause severe pain and even pose a mortal threat. If you want to learn more about how to protect yourself from their bites, read our article about the black widow spider.