Entomologist warns against killing house spiders

Spiders are important creatures that help our homes and nature. Many people want to kill spiders because they find them scary. However, spiders are usually not dangerous and can even help control pests.

In homes, spiders can be found everywhere. Some get trapped inside, while others live there happily. A survey of 50 homes in North Carolina showed that all had spiders, mainly cobweb and cellar spiders. These spiders build webs to catch food. Cellar spiders sometimes hunt other spiders too.

Spiders eat pests like mosquitoes, which can spread diseases. Killing spiders can remove important predators from your home. Although people often fear spiders, most have venom too weak to harm humans. Even some scientists who study spiders can feel afraid of them.

If you don’t like a spider in your home, try to capture it gently and let it go outside. This way, the spider will be safe, and you can feel better. If you can accept them, remember that spiders are natural and normal in our homes, even if we don’t see them. It’s best to let them live.

How much do you know?

What do spiders help control in the home?

Pests

Pets

Furniture

Noise

What type of spider is mentioned as sometimes hunting other spiders?

Cobweb spider

Cellar spider

Wolf spider

Jumping spider

In the survey, how many homes in North Carolina were found to have spiders?

10

25

50

100

What do spiders eat that can spread diseases?

Flies

Mosquitoes

Ants

Beetles

How should you deal with a spider you don't like in your home?

Kill it

Ignore it

Capture it gently and let it go outside

Trap it permanently

Which of the following is true about spiders?

All spiders are dangerous

Spiders are important predators

Spiders only live in gardens

Spiders have no venom

Spiders are usually dangerous and should be killed.

True False

All homes surveyed in North Carolina had spiders.

True False

Most spiders have venom that can harm humans.

True False

Cellar spiders build webs to catch food.

True False

It is advised to let spiders live in homes.

True False

People never feel afraid of spiders.

True False

Spiders can help control pests like mosquitoes, which can spread diseases.

A survey in North Carolina showed that all homes had spiders.

If you find a spider in your home, try to capture it gently and let it go outside.

Spiders are natural and in our homes.

Many people want to kill spiders because they find them scary.

It’s best to let spiders in your home.

This question is required