That creepy, crawly feeling you get when you see one isn't invented; it's innate, and storytellers have worked that natural fear into their depiction of scary scenes throughout history. For instance, Anansi in West African folklore plays the role of a trickster. In Greek mythology, Arachne was transformed into a spider as punishment after challenging Athena, the Goddess of War.

 

Intense fear is so common that it has its own name: Arachnophobia, stemming from the legend about Arachne. Most people know to avoid the creatures because they're quite aware that they can be dangerous. However, about 5% of people in the United States and 6% of the global population have the severe phobia.

 

The fear, though, is not unjustified. Black Widows are accepted as the most dangerous in the world, with a lethal venom that's registered as 15 times more potent than that of a rattlesnake. Black and Red Widows get their names because the females bite the males' heads off while mating. Female Jumping Spiders have also been known to kill their counterparts. Males do dances trying to court a mate, and if the female is unsatisfied, she eats her would-be lover instead.

 

To stave off cannibalization, male Nursery Spiders bring their mates insects as gifts. Researchers have found that males who showed up without a sacrifice were six times more likely to be eaten by the female before they have the opportunity to mate. That happened even if the female had eaten recently. Humans are lucky they don't extend out that ability to eat even when they're full. Researchers have found that they could eat every person on earth in a single year if they set their minds to it and still not be satiated.

  

The danger they present isn't the only thing that freaks people out about them, though. Arachnids also have some weird habits that can create a trauma response that sticks around with people, feeding into their terror. A person may be shocked upon seeing communal webs with as many 50,000 members. You may have heard of another massive gathering called "spider rain," thinking it was a spooky story told around Halloween. Unfortunately, it's quite real. Though they don't have wings, certain species fly through the air using their silk as kites. When thousands do that at the same time, floating through the air in hoards, it looks like it's raining. Those webs, propelled along the Earth's electromagnetic field, have carried them across entire oceans.

  

Though some have great eyesight and strong legs, most are nearly blind and create webs to capture their prey. They react to the vibrations on the web to know when it's feasting time. The majority go after insects and bugs, but some can hunt small animals. Different varieties of Orb Weavers across the US build webs strong enough to catch bats. A fearsome tarantula called the Goliath Bird-Eating Spider earned its name by feasting on birds in South America. That tarantula can also defend itself by flinging hairs at would-be attackers, getting on its hind legs, displaying its fangs, and hissing. There are even semi-aquatic spiders in the Southeastern US that catch fish at the edges of streams, rivers, and lakes, even when those fish are more than twice the size of the spider itself.

 

Once a spider is close to its victim, it'll use its long fangs to inject venom that breaks down the insect or animal's cell walls. The predators don't have teeth, so they rely on those toxins to liquefy their meals. Once they're done with the web, they eat that too. In total, arachnids consume about 10% of their body weight daily and eat about twice as much as humans worldwide.

 

Among the types that don’t have poor eyesight, many surprising discoveries are being made. Scientists have discovered that some have favorite colors. While humans can see the colors of the spectrum, Wolf Spiders' vision is slightly different, limiting their view to green and ultraviolet. As a result, female Wolfs react to bright colors and dramatic color differences. Males are attracted to the green color they associate with healthy foliage. The Peacock Jumping Spider also uses its bright colors to attract mates.

 

On average, they live about two years but researchers found one that reached 43 years old, only to be killed by a wasp. They multiply rapidly. House Spiders lay hundreds or sometimes even over a thousand eggs at once.

 

If you've got a spider problem or are looking to keep one from starting, Stratex Pest Control is your best option for success. Stratex is owned and operated by people right here in Michigan's lower peninsula. We aren't some big corporate company that just wants to make money and head out; we genuinely care for your wellbeing and will dedicate our time and energy to your happiness and soundness of mind.