Spiders

SPIDERS

Spiders Spiders are the scariest if not the scariest arachnids around. Let’s discuss some of the common species of spiders we encounter in Cape Town and surrounding suburbs.

House Sac Spider
They are yellowish with the head black and a dark line running down its abdominal. They grow between 4.5 to 6.5mm in adult length. The House Sac Spider can be found on top of curtains, inside your clothes, in cupboards, between bedding, in storerooms in dark areas. Its venom is cytotoxic. When bitten by the House Sac Spider you can expect redness on the bitten area, swelling and a burning sensation.

Black or Brown Widow Spider
They are black or dark brown in color with an hour glass on its abdomen. They can grow up to 38mm in adult length. These spiders can be found in cluttered spaces, garages, dark rooms, behind boxes, in small holes and more. Their venom is latrotoxins. When bitten the venom hijacks the nervous system of its victims which in fact makes the Black or Brown Widow spider on of the most dangerous spiders around

Sand Spider
The Sand Spider also known as the crab spider is covered in tiny bits of hair which holds back sand like magnets picking up small pieces of steel. Holding onto the sand particles is also a way for them to camouflage themselves so that they blend in within their surroundings. Now there’s many species of the Sand Spiders. Some of them look reddish brown to yellow in color. They grow up to 65mm in adult length. These hairy spiders are mostly found where sand is, like in a dessert or on beaches. Their poison is cytotoxic. Once bitten by these spiders the wound tissue and skin will pose massive local tissue destruction.

Other spiders of interest within the Cape region and surroundings would be the Violin Spider and the Baboon Spider. If you encounter a spider be cautious especially if you are not knowledgeable of its characteristics.

Need help getting rid of those scary looking spiders? Call Us: 087 265 4244