Happy November 1st! We’re back with another Pest Control: Myth or Fact. This time we’re talking about everyone’s favorite pest… spiders.
Arachnophobia, or fear of spiders, is one of the most common phobias in the world. As much as we might not like them, spiders are vital to many ecosystems. But we understand not wanting an 8-legged friend moving into your house.
One of the myths we cover is that spiders are insects. Spiders are not insects, they’re arachnids. The main difference is that they have 2 body segments instead of 3 like insects have. Another myth is that all spiders use webs to catch prey. All spiders produce silk to make webs, but some only use webs to lay eggs in. Many spiders like the tarantula hunt for prey on the ground instead of trapping it.
Probably the most widespread myth is that the average person swallows 8 spiders a year during their sleep. This was a myth started by a journalist writing an article about fake facts spread through email. Despite being untrue, this myth has become very common ever since. Spiders are not likely to crawl into your mouth, as it’s not an inviting place to be for them.
How did you do? Let us know! We hope you learned something today. Make sure to give us a follow if you’re interested in facts about pests, landscape, irrigation, and more.
