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Grass spiders. Maybe you’ve heard of them. Maybe you’ve misidentified them as wolf spiders or hobo spiders. Either way, living in the Western United States, you’ve probably seen one. Native to North America, grass spiders are commonly found in the Western United States and are part of the funnel-weaving spider family. As their name suggests, they tend to hang out in the grass. However, they sometimes find their way into homes and businesses. The grass spider is a shy creature, so if you happen to spot one, don’t expect it to stay around for long. Read on to discover all you should know about this elusive arachnid – and if you’re interested in learning more about spiders in general, check out these 10 facts about spiders.
If you have too many spiders around your home, you might have an infestation. There may also be underlying problems with other pest insects that spiders are feeding on. Either way, a Western Exterminator spider control technician can inspect your property and help get rid of spiders and prevent them from returning. Contact your local Western Exterminator office today.
What do grass spiders look like?
Female grass spiders range in length from 10-20 millimeters in terms of body length, and males are somewhat smaller at nine to18 millimeters. The carapace, or hard upper shell, is a yellowish-brown color with two stripes running longitudinally. The abdomen is usually darker in color.
Grass spiders are often confused with their similar-looking cousins the domestic house spider and the hobo spider. All three species are frequently found in West Coast homes when they retreat from the outdoor elements.
Grass spider eggs and life cycle
The grass spider’s life cycle is only about one year long, with mating rituals bringing about eventual demise for both parties. The male grass spider dies shortly after mating. In the late summer or fall, female grass spiders deposit a white sac that then overwinters. The female grass spider then dies shortly after laying the egg sac. After the spider eggs hatch in spring, the spiders go through a series of molts, reaching adulthood in late summer.
The notorious grass spider funnel web
Grass spiders are one of the approximately 1,200 identified species within the Agelenidae family. Members of this family of spiders are known for their funnel-weaving capabilities. Grass spiders and other funnel weavers construct funnel-shaped webs near the ground in which to trap their prey. These webs are not sticky, but the way they are built makes it inherently difficult for the prey to escape. Once the prey is trapped, the grass spider can quickly crawl over and inject it with venom. The horizontal, sheet-like nature of the web also makes it a great hiding place for the spiders themselves.
In addition to hobo spiders and domestic house spiders, grass spiders can also be confused with wolf spiders, but the type of web they weave is a great way to tell them apart. Wolf spiders do not spin webs but rather live within burrows. Therefore, if you see the spider spinning a funnel web or hanging out in close proximity to one, it is likely a grass spider and not a wolf spider.
Where do grass spiders live?
The natural habitat of grass spiders is outdoors, where they build their funnel-shaped webs in tall grass, shrubs, and along fences or buildings. They prefer dry, quiet spaces, often hiding under rocks, within crevices and cracks, or beneath thick vegetation.
Unlike some spiders, they don’t rely on sticky webs to catch their food. Instead, their web acts like a funnel, guiding insects straight to them. Because they stay low to the ground, you’re more likely to spot their webs stretched across grass or tucked into corners than high up on walls.
What do grass spiders eat?
Grass spiders are hunters, feeding on small insects like flies, ants, and beetles. They don’t wait for prey to get stuck in their web like other spiders do. Instead, they use speed and precision to catch anything that wanders too close. As soon as an insect steps onto the web, the spider rushes out, bites, and drags it back to safety. Since they eat common pests, grass spiders help control insect populations naturally, which can be beneficial for yards and gardens.
Are grass spiders beneficial or a nuisance?
In most cases, grass spiders are more helpful than harmful. They feed on flies, mosquitoes, and other nuisance insects, which helps keep outdoor spaces more comfortable. Their webs may seem messy, especially when stretched across plants or fences, but they don’t cause any damage. Since grass spiders are not aggressive and rarely bite, they’re usually not a problem for people or pets. If anything, they’re an unnoticed helper, working to keep insect numbers down in your yard.
Do grass spiders come inside homes?
Grass spiders prefer to stay outdoors, but they sometimes wander inside by accident. They may enter through cracks or open doors while searching for food or shelter, though they don’t actually want to be indoors. Unlike house spiders, these particular arachnids struggle to survive in a home and will usually try to find a way back outside. To keep them out, it helps to seal gaps around windows and doors. Reducing outdoor lighting can also make a difference since bright lights attract the insects they hunt.
Are grass spiders poisonous?
Technically, grass spiders are not poisonous, but are venomous. They contain venom, as all spiders do, that they use to subdue their prey. Due to the small size of grass spider fangs, they have difficulty penetrating human skin. Consequently, those with thin skin (i.e. babies and the elderly) are at greater risk of a grass spider bite.
As mentioned previously, grass spiders are shy and don’t actively go out seeking humans. They may bite as a defense mechanism if they feel threatened. In the event that a grass spider does bite and is successful in penetrating the skin, the bite puncture increases the risk of bacterial infections.To be safe, it is best to let Western’s pest technicians worry about handling them and removing them from your property. However, if you think you’ve been bitten by a grass spider, it’s best to seek medical attention as a precautionary.
How to get rid of grass spiders
Though grass spiders aren’t a huge threat to humans, chances are, you don’t want them all over your property. Their webs can make a yard appear unkempt and neglected. Through landscaping and sanitation, the following are ways to discourage growing populations of these eight-legged pests.
- Do not leave pet food out for extended periods of time
- Mow lawns frequently
- Trim vegetation – especially near to your home or business
- Eliminate brush piles
- Remove webs
A dirty environment does not necessarily attract grass spiders themselves, but it does attract other insects, which can be grass spider prey. Food crumbs and sticky residue left behind by sugary drinks are just the snacks ants, flies, and other small insects go looking for. Grass spiders are hungry too, and they’ll come after those very insects. A well-kept yard and outdoor environment will keep web construction at a minimum, discouraging grass spiders from staying on your property.
The most effective way to control grass spider populations is to call in the spider experts at Western Exterminator. Our spider removal services will have you back to living web-free in no time. Contact us today for a free property inspection.
Frequently asked questions:
Are grass spiders harmful to humans?
No, grass spiders are not harmful to humans. These spiders prefer to avoid people and focus on catching insects, making them more of a benefit than a threat.
How aggressive are grass spiders?
Grass spiders are not aggressive and rarely bite. Even if they do, their venom is mild and generally not dangerous.
Why do I keep finding grass spiders in my house?
Grass spiders may wander inside by accident, usually through small cracks or open doors. They don’t seek out indoor spaces and won’t thrive inside. If you keep finding them, it may be due to nearby vegetation, outdoor lighting attracting insects, or gaps in doors and windows that need sealing.
Is a grass spider a brown recluse?
No, grass spiders are not the same as brown recluses. While both are brown in color, grass spiders have distinctive long spinnerets and build funnel webs. Brown recluses, on the other hand, have a violin-shaped marking on their back and prefer dark, hidden spaces rather than open grassy areas and are not native West of the Mississippi.