How to Get Rid of Sun Spiders / Wind Scorpion in your House – Although talking about pest management isn’t always enjoyable, doing so can make your home life lot more comfortable. There are a lot of bugs out there that could be a problem for typical houses.
Those who have crossed its long-legged route are constantly concerned about one of the more watchful and nerve-racking bugs. Sun spiders are big, hairy, and frequently frightful.
They may be excellent outdoor pest annihilators, but you don’t want them living in, in, or around your cozy home. So, here are tips how to get rid of sun spiders.
Sun Spiders: What Are They?
These eight-legged animals, also called wind scorpions or Arizona sun spiders (scientific: solpugid), aren’t actually spiders at all. Despite what their respective moniker would suggest, neither of them are scorpions. They belong to the family Solifugae and are a common domestic insect that resembles spiders and scorpions in terms of genetic makeup and physical appearance. The size of a sun spider can vary from one to three inches, and although they resemble scorpions physically, they have thick hair that covers their bodies, making them look more like spiders. The sun spider is generally safe for people and is an excellent pest management tool.
Although a sun spider is not poisonous, if provoked, it may deliver a devastating bite because to its powerful jaw. They can eat on a variety of insects and plants thanks to their jaws. The people most likely to encounter this critter are those who live in deserts or other arid, hot environments. They might enter the house looking for darkness because sun spiders abhor bright light. The English translation of their Latin name, solifugae, which means “to hate light,” is inadequate.
Colorado State University‘s Whitney Cranshaw teaches horticulture entomology and works as an extension specialist. Cranshaw, who is a bug expert, acknowledges that sun spiders are among the most peculiar-looking arachnids. Despite being frequently confused with scorpions and spiders, he continued, the species is actually in a class by itself.
“They devour insects,” explained Cranshaw. “They have a big head with jaws that are intended to slash and slice apart prey.” Just by gazing at that head, folks get the creeps.
Cranshaw conducted a survey of Colorado exterminators a number of years ago to learn more about the species that they regularly deal with. The sun spider came out on top when exterminators were questioned about the most odd insect they had ever encountered.
Cranshaw acknowledged that the species is not hostile to people and has been exaggerated to appear more terrifying than it actually is. He calls them “911 bugs” — insects that people notice inside their house and react by promptly phoning emergency personnel.
Sun spiders don’t kill people, he continued. “This is the one thing that I believe people mistakenly believe to be much larger. Because they appear so weird, if they see one, they at least mentally amplify it twice.
Sun Spiders Habitat
Sun spiders are found in practically every desert. They seek out hot, arid conditions and can be frequently found in Arizona, California, Texas, and other difficult terrains in the southeast of America, much like scorpions do.
These animals always seek out shade because of their innate dislike of sunlight; it is uncommon but not unheard of to find them living in arable or more humid environments. A sun spider is nocturnal and is therefore most active at night.
You’ll notice fewer spiders once the mating season ends because a noteworthy increase in spiders on your property typically signifies seasonal activities connected to mating. Females may dig burrows to find a secure location to lay and safeguard their eggs. Burrows can be created in sand, loose soil, or under rocks, trees, or any other surface that provides a dark, protective roof.
A sun spider could enter your home as well, and they prefer calm, dark spaces like attics, basements, garages, and greenhouses. Additionally, because established pest populations in homes provide as a source of food for the spiders, they will seek out those homes. If there are too many spiders around your house, you can take some steps to lessen their number.
Read: Termite Elimination Without Chemicals: How to Do It
Are Sun Spiders an Arachnid?
Sun spiders are a unique type of pest. Despite being referred to as sun spiders or wind scorpions, these creatures are neither spiders nor members of the scorpion family. The Solifugae family includes wind scorpions, which are categorized as a different kind of arachnid.
The distinctive body structure of sun spiders is what makes them stand out. Despite having eight legs, real sun spiders do not conform to the body like spiders do. Sun spiders resemble a creation from a science fiction film. They only have two eyes, which are closely spaced out in the middle of the skull.
The Sun spider has enormous jaws that expand into four segments, sitting on top of which are the eyes. Sun spiders have short hairs covering them and can reach lengths of three inches. They typically have tan, yellow, or cream hues.
Sun Spider’s Prey
These predominantly nocturnal hunters typically eat arthropods like insects, spiders, and scorpions. The chelicerae crush the victim after it has been captured. They consume some of the small particles and leave the larger fragments after sucking out the bodily fluids of their victim.
More than 50 solpugid species have been identified in the southwest of the United States, while more than 120 species have been identified throughout North America.
These powerful predators are thought to be advantageous outdoors and may even take the rare scorpion or centipede out of commission. If they are discovered indoors, they are either consuming other insects found in the home or insects like crickets. Otherwise, they’re presumably trying to figure out how to return outdoors.
They might be challenging to catch since they move quickly, but they can be trapped under a jar or piece of glass and taken outside. It is not advised to use pesticides to control solpugids (or scorpions and centipedes).
If solpugids are frequently discovered inside, you should carefully evaluate the situation and search for pests that are residing inside and giving the solpugids a consistent food source. Firewood and other items kept outside or in sheds can also unintentionally bring them indoors.
How to Get Rid of Sun Spiders
They might be challenging to catch since they move quickly, but they can be trapped under a jar or piece of glass and taken outside. It is not advised to use pesticides to control solpugids (or scorpions and centipedes).
If solpugids are frequently discovered inside, you should carefully evaluate the situation and search for pests that are residing inside and giving the sun spiders (solpugids) a consistent food source. Firewood and other items kept outside or in sheds can also unintentionally bring them indoors.
Sun spiders/camel spiders consume insects and scorpions, thus eliminating other pests from your home and surrounding area is necessary to control a spider infestation. Here is effective steps how to get rid of sun spiders:
- Kill any live spiders
On your recheck, kill any moving camel spiders you come across. - Apply Powerful Pesticides
Dust your property with pest control product, paying special attention to any little used spaces away from your usual traffic patterns. - Eliminate Hideouts
The foundation, doors, and window wells of your home should be cleared of any vegetation and garbage that may contain camel spiders. - Apply outside repellent
Apply insect and scorpion repellant to all exterior surfaces of your home, paying special attention to windows, doors, and other entry points for spiders. - Seal Entry Spots
To prevent camel spiders from entering your home, caulk should be used to seal any cracks, openings, or joints near window and door frames. - Add weather stripping
To close gaps between the door and the door frame, apply self-adhering weather stripping to the doorjambs. - Use draft guards
To close gaps between the floor and your doors, attach a draft guard to the bottom of each one. - Get Rid of Clutter
Clear out the clutter in your basement and attic, including any boxes and clothing. To lessen camel spider hiding sites, keep boxes and other things off the ground and away from walls. - Re-treat the area.
To reduce or stop fresh infestations, spray your home with pest control dust and insect repellent once more a week or two later.
Prevention
Checking caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors, as well as sealing places where utilities (water, electricity, gas, etc.) enter the home, can significantly decrease a solpugid’s access to the structure. By routinely inspecting these locations, you can prevent other annoyance pests like ants, mice, woodrats, scorpions, centipedes, and kissing bugs from entering.
Important
- If you have an out-of-control insect or scorpion infestation, you may need to hire a professional pest exterminator to get rid of them before you can handle your spider problem.
- After you’ve started your spider-control endeavor, be cautious while picking up things off the floor, such clothing. Even if they were just washed, shake up your clothing to see whether a camel spider has taken up residence there. Before putting them on, carefully pick up your shoes and give them a nice shake. In an effort to avoid pesticides and repellents, spiders may travel about and hide in different locations.