With Halloween coming up I am seeing lots of scary faux spiders among front yard Halloween decorations. I must admit I am guilty of feeding into the arachnophobia that so many people have by placing a big fake hairy tarantula in my yard.
Fascinating Creatures
Most spiders are solitary creatures, but some form groups and even cooperate in brood care, caring for other spiders' offspring.
Not all spiders spin webs but those that do can create an incredible assortment of web designs, depending on the species, including spiral orbs, funnels, tubular, or ground sheets.
In some cases, two or more males will perform for a female to compete for her favor.
Some drop their silk to act as parachutes so they can drift on the slightest breeze
While spiders do not have brains in the traditional sense, a type of jumping spider appears to remember similar prey it has encountered, using trial and error to determine what works in capturing it.
Common and Beneficial
Spiders are the most common miniature living things living in our homes (besides micro-organisms). We are seldom aware of them because they conceal themselves in hidden spots (thus camouflaging themselves from their prey), tend to be active at night, and avoid humans. After all, we are much bigger than they are!
Spiders are beneficial organisms because they feed on common indoor pests such as mosquitoes, flies, roaches, earwigs, and moths. An additional benefit: many of the indoor pests that spiders consume can transmit diseases, i.e., mosquitoes, fleas, flies, and cockroaches. If left alone, spiders will consume most of the insects in your home, thus providing effective pest control.
Spider Bites
The jaws of most spiders are too small to bite humans. Of those that can bite, they will bite only if provoked, but very few spider bites are dangerous to humans. If you are bitten, the bite area may swell slightly and itch.
The adult female black widow is the primary spider in California capable of seriously injuring people. If bitten, remain calm and seek medical help.
Contrary to common myth, the brown recluse spider does not reside in California.
Managing Spiders
If you do have a spider issue around your home, the most effective way to manage them is to do regular housecleaning. Sweep or vacuum up their webs both indoors and outdoors, and prevent clutter build up that can provide hiding places for them both indoors and outdoors. If you do come across one, capture it in a jar and release it outside in an out-of-the-way spot. Avoid using pesticides since the chemicals will also kill other beneficial insects.
Appreciate Spiders Beneficial Role and Help Protect Them!
I will continue to put out my big “scary” tarantula out with the Halloween décor because spiders are so awesome. However, I do not put out the fake webbing, because like real spider webs, they can trap beneficial insects, spiders, and even small birds such as hummingbirds.
I will continue to allow spiders to share my home and garden, so they can do their crucial work of reducing pests. I much prefer having a few spiders around than mosquitoes, flies, moths, or cockroaches!
You do not have to love spiders like I do, but I hope you can appreciate the vital role arachnids play in our homes and gardens, and generally let them be.
References:
Spiders: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/QT/spiderscard.html
Pests of Homes, Structures, People and Pets: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7442.html
Denise Godbout-Avant has been a UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener since 2020.
- Author: Anne Schellman
In years past, I would get bitten by mosquitoes when out late at night. But in the past decade, I've been bitten frequently during the day, and this year seems to be particularly bad, possibly due to favorable weather conditions for mosquitoes.
Invasive Mosquitoes
West Nile Virus
How can you protect yourself?
Although day biting mosquitoes can bite through clothing, it can help reduce bites. You can also wear an application of repellent underneath. The CDC recommends using an insect repellent containing the active ingredients DEET, Picardin, IR3535, or the plant-based oil of lemon eucalyptus. Please note, the last active ingredient is not an essential oil.
How to Prevent Mosquitoes
For more in-depth information and tips for how to protect yourself and your family in and around your home, visit the UC IPM Website at https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7451.html
Resources
California Department of Public Health https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/pages/Aedes-aegypti-and-Aedes-albopictus-mosquitoes.aspx
EPA https://www.epa.gov/mosquitocontrol/general-information-about-mosquitoes
UC IPM Pest Notes: Mosquitoes https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7451.html
West Nile CA https://westnile.ca.gov/
UC IPM Quick Tips: Mosquitoes https://ipm.ucanr.edu/legacy_assets/pdf/qt/qtmosquito.pdf or if you prefer in Spanish, https://ipm.ucanr.edu/legacy_assets/pdf/qtsp/qtspmosquitoes.pdf
Stanislaus County, Human West Nile Virus Cases in Stanislaus County, https://www.schsa.org/pdf/press-releases/2023/WNV%2023-06.pdf
Anne Schellman has been the UC Master Gardener Coordinator in Stanislaus County since the program started in 2018.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
In Part I, we discussed why mosquitoes bite, and which mosquito species can spread West Nile and Zika virus. Now, let's talk about what mosquitoes need to reproduce, how to prevent them from breeding around your home, and best methods to protect yourself and your family while outdoors.
What do Mosquitoes Need to Breed?
The mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus and Zika need water to lay their eggs. Female mosquitoes can lay their eggs in even the smallest amount of water. Places in your yard that appeal to them include standing water found in ponds, garden pots, children's toys, or even pet water bowls. Eliminating these possible breeding spaces is key to mosquito control.
Watch the video “Don't Let Mosquitoes Breed in your Yard” from UC IPM for helpful tips.
Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites
There's a plethora of mosquito control and prevention items for sale, but many are ineffective.
When outdoors, protect your skin by wearing long-sleeved pants and shirts, long socks, and a hat. Be aware that mosquitoes can bite through a thin layer of clothing. Also, choose and apply an effective EPA-registered mosquito repellent that contains DEET, picardin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin.
You may be tempted to use outdoor sprays to battle mosquitoes. However, this method is only temporary and doesn't help control the source of the problem. The best way to avoid bites are prevention and protection.
Resources: UC IPM Pests in the Urban Landscape. Zika, Mosquitoes, and Repellents. https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=21923
- Author: Anne E Schellman
You've probably read a lot lately in the news about West Nile virus and Zika virus. In mid-June, the first human case of West Nile virus in Stanislaus County was diagnosed. This past week, mosquitoes that can carry the Zika virus were found in our county.
Why do mosquitoes bite?
It may surprise you to learn that mosquitoes get most of their food from flower nectar. However, female mosquitoes need a blood meal to produce eggs. If she bites someone while carrying a virus, it can infect that person.
What is the difference between West Nile virus and Zika virus?
West Nile virus is carried by Culex tarsalis or the Western encephalitis mosquito. This species is most active just after sunset. It feeds on birds and other mammals, including humans.
Eighty percent of people infected with West Nile virus do not show symptoms. The other twenty percent may have mild symptoms including fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash. One in 150 people infected will develop a neurological illness that may result in death.
Zika virus is transmitted by several species of Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes bite people during the day. Women infected with Zika during pregnancy may have an infant born with microcephaly and other severe brain defects.
Although this mosquito has been found in Stanislaus County, the virus has not been found in California. Aedes mosquitoes can only transmit Zika if they carry the virus.
How can I protect myself and my family?
Stay tuned tomorrow for part II of this blog post, with helpful tips for prevention and protection from mosquitoes.
Resources:
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. UC IPM Pest Notes: Mosquitoes. Taken from http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7451.html on August 5, 2019.
Vector Disease Control International. Culex tarsalis-the Western Encephalitis mosquito. Taken from http://www.vdci.net/blog/mosquito-of-the-month-culex-tarsalis-western-encephalitis-mosquito on August 5, 2019.
California Department of Public Health. Zika: What Californians Need to Know. Taken from https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Zika.aspx on August 5, 2019.
