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SpidersSpiders are some of nature’s best pest controllers. They prey on insects which can only be of benefit to us around our homes where we consider insects to be pests. However spiders themselves, to many are considered pests and largely receive a negative reaction. A large proportion of the world’s population has some level of fear of spiders. Known as arachnophobia, this fear has such an extreme effect on some people that it causes them to change their lifestyle or habits in order to avoid any contact with them. Spiders are predatory creatures and spin webs in order to catch their insect prey. Webs around your home can look unsightly, dirty and can generally cause great annoyance. By eliminating insect activity around your home, you will also reduce the numbers of spiders you have. Along the same lines, by reducing the number of spiders around your home, you will also lessen the risk of having white tail spiders roaming around. White-tailed Spiders (Lampona cylindrata)
White-tailed spiders arrived in New Zealand more than 100 years ago from Australia and are easily identifiable by their distinctive white spot on the tip of the abdomen. Female white tailed spiders can grow up to 20mm long with a plump abdomen while the male is much thinner and only half the size of the female. Young white tailed spiders have striped legs and two to four spots on the abdomen.
The white tailed spider is a vagrant spider and does not spin a web in order to catch its prey. Instead, it roams at night hunting small insects and other spiders to feed on which is why they are usually found in and around homes. They are often found in leaf litter, tree bark, or under rocks in gardens but can also be found in bedrooms, bed clothes, clothes left on the floor, wardrobes, curtains, bathrooms, and laundries. While they are not aggressive spiders, they will bite if provoked or threatened.
The bite from a white tailed spider can cause a burning pain resulting in itchiness and swelling. An ongoing debate continues as to the true extent of the white tailed spider bite, however currently there is no direct evidence that a white tailed bite will actually cause severe ulceration.
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