MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SPIDERS IN LAS VEGAS

The mention of the word spider gives people in Las Vegas, as well as most other places, the creeps. The sight of one in your home whether in Summerlin or Boulder City makes your heart beat faster. Over the years myths about spiders have evolved and the result is many terrified reactions to this common household pest.

It seems spiders are more prevalent during winter months and more of a nuisance to homeowners during the colder season. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has come up with a list of myths associated with spiders and tells the truth about these eight- legged arachnids.

MYTH – The average person swallows about eight spiders a year when sleeping.

False – this is a urban legend fueled by rumors on the internet – a columnist for a computing magazine wrote an article in 1993 with a list of outlandish facts. The writer wanted to show that people are apt to believe anything they read online. It is very unlikely a person could even swallow one spider while sleeping.

MYTH – People are never more than three feet away from a spider.

This myth started in 1995 – arnchnologist Norman Platnick wrote “Wherever you sit as you read these lines, a spider is probably no more than a few yards away.” With as many as 35,000 species of spiders worldwide there could be some truth to this. But many argue that it depends on where you are. If you happen to be outside it is more likely a spider is crawling near you, however, if you are in a high rise the closest spider could be hundreds of feet away.

MYTH – All spiders spin webs.

False – not all spiders spin webs. For instance, wolf spiders hunt for food and jumping spiders pounce on their prey.

MYTH – Daddy longlegs are one of the most poisonous spiders, but their fangs are too short to penetrate human skin.

According to arachnologists at the University of California stated “There is no reference to any pholcid spider (daddy long-legs) biting a human and causing any detrimental reaction.” There are no facts to support this myth.

MYTH – All spiders are dangerous.

Many species of spiders are beneficial to the environment – they feed mainly on other insects so they help to reduce the pest population in gardens and homes. There are only a few species that are dangerous. In the United States the only spiders that pose a threat to humans are the black widow spider and the recluse spider.

If you suspect a spider infestation contact a licensed pest control professional.

GLOBAL PEST SERVICES in Las Vegas is a licensed pest control company that is qualified to handle all your pest elimination needs. Call our office at 702-657-0091 or go to our web site- to speak with us for all your pest control needs. Get a quote now!

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