When you see a spider, you may think that disposing of it has taken care of the problem. Unfortunately, adult spiders are only a small part of the spider population that may be in your home. Spider eggs and immature spiderlings may also be present, and if they are allowed to grow and develop, they will pose even more problems in the future. Being able to identify and dispose of spider egg sacs is an important part of effective spider control.
How Do Spiders Develop?
Spiders go through what is known as simple metamorphosis. This means that the immature stages of development are very similar to adults. The only real differences are they are much smaller and incapable of reproduction. The stages of simple metamorphosis are egg, nymphal stages, and adult.
Over its lifetime, a female spider can lay up to 3,000 eggs in one or more eggs sacs, depending on the species in question. The egg sac provides an environment with consistent humidity so that the spiders can develop. Baby spiders are known as spiderlings. Spiderlings are small and usually pale in color, but have the same habits and eat the same food as adult spiders.
What do spider egg sacs look like?
Spider egg sacs are made from silk that is woven in a way very similar to a web. Spider egg sacs vary widely in appearance, depending on the species of spider that made them. Most spider egg sacs are white, cream, or brown in color. They range from smooth to fluffy in texture and come in a variety of shapes like round, teardrop, and even spiky. Egg sacs are generally about as big as the spider that produced it.
Egg sacs can be found in a variety of places. Some spiders create them in their webs, others on leaves or branches, and still other in burrows. Some species of spiders even attach the egg sac to their body and carry it around to protect it.
How Do I Get Rid of Spider Egg Sacs?
If you find a spider egg sac in your home, garage, or on the exterior of your house, there are several things you can do to dispose of it. Use caution when getting rid of them because a false move could send dozens of baby spiderlings scattering all over. If it is indoors, brooms or vacuum cleaners work well. Wrap a cloth around the end of the broom and sweep the egg sac and/or accompanying web away. If you have a hose on the vacuum cleaner, it is very easy just to suck the egg sac up. After finishing your cleaning for the day, remove the bag and dispose of the debris in a sealed plastic bag. If you find egg sacs attached to the exterior of your house, a broom works well, or you can spray them with a stream of high pressure water.
If you need help with spider control in or around your home, contact Radar Pest Control today. We are your Sunshine Coast pest control experts. From Buderim to Nambour and in between, our expert technicians will treat you right and provide the best pest control services around.