Common Spider Species
Spiders FAQ
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Are spiders poisonous in Singapore?
Most poisonous spider species in Singapore are more likely to live in jungles rather than urban areas. However, the Yellow Sac Spider is one such poisonous species that can be found indoors. You should seek medical attention immediately if you encounter spider bites as they may cause infection, allergy and even severe conditions.
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How do you rid your house of spiders?
Beyond ensuring proper cleanliness of your homes, keeping your things organised will ensure that there is less clutter for spiders to build their nests and breed. You can also keep the place well ventilated and free from moisture and water that attracts not just spiders but most pests.
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What eliminates spiders quickly?
Most spider repellents and sprays can eliminate small house spiders quickly. However, the impact can vary amongst spider species. As such, it is better to get a professional pest control service that can tailor solutions according to the species if you suspect that you have a spider infestation. In addition, a misuse of insecticides and baits may impose safety risks and possibility of inefficacy.
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What is the best spider repellent?
Peppermint oil has shown to be a favourite natural spider repellent as spiders dislike the smell of it. Tea tree and eucalyptus are also other common repelling options to deter spiders and other pests away.
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What attracts spiders in your house?
Like most living things, spiders need food, water and shelter to survive. Some species of spiders prefer warm and dark areas like storerooms and air vents while others may prefer the outdoors like gardens or houseplants. Maintaining a level of hygiene and sanitation standard in your home at all times can reduce the number of spiders.
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What are the signs of spider infestation to look out for?
- Look for webs in your ceilings, windowsills, and wall corners. If you happen to have houseplants, be sure to look out for webs there too.
- As some species prefer damp environments, remember to check your basements, under your sinks and your bathrooms.
- Spiders feast on other insects like flies, ants and woodlice. If you happen to have many of these insects living in your homes, it is highly likely that you have a spider infestation as well.
- Look out for spider egg sacs, which are white in colour and round in shape, attached to surfaces or spider webs. This is often the biggest indication that there are other spiders around.
If you happen to notice any of these signs, be sure to contact a professional pest control service in Singapore as they are equipped to handle a spider infestation.
Most spiders prefer living outdoors, but all too often, you may run across a few spiders that have found their way indoors in search of food and shelter. Learn more about the lifecycles and habits of these 8-legged creepy crawlers commonly found in Singapore.
Some common type of spiders in Singapore, include the Yellow Sac Spider, Wolf Spider and Daddy Longlegs. Spider identification is important especially if you have a spider bite.
Daddy Longlegs
(Smeringopus pallidus)
Appearance
- Adult female: 6 to 7mm, male: 5mm. They are generally brown to grey in colour.
- Can be a one pill-like body segment or two body segments.
- Long skinny legs that can be 30 times as long as its body.
Lifecycle
- Eggs sacs are held in the mother’s jaws at all times until they hatch
- Male lives for a year and dies after mating, female can live for 3 years
Habits
- Very successful in urban areas where they spin thin, tangled webs in corners, under bathroom sinks, garages, attics and basements.
- Does a ‘whirling’ action to defend itself when in danger.
Wolf Spider
(Trochosa ruricola)
Appearance
- Adult female: 5/16"; male: 1/4". They are generally brown to grey in colour.
Lifecycle
- Wolf spider mothers carry their egg sacs around with them attached to spinnerets under the abdomen.
- When the young spiderlings hatch, they climb onto their mother's back where they live for the first few weeks of life.
Habits
- They hunt at night but spend the day hidden amongst moss and decaying matter.
- They live in a shallow burrow, with an open and unadorned entrance.
Yellow Sac Spider
(Cheiracanthium spp.)
Appearance
- Pale in colour, abdomen can be yellow or beige with a faint dark stripe running lengthwise.
- 1/4 to 3/8 inches long
- 4 pairs of legs, the 1st pair longer than the 4th.
- Eight similarly-sized dark eyes arranged in two horizontal rows.
Life cycle
- A female produces around 5 egg sacs each with 30 to 48 eggs. The female may produce several egg masses during her lifetime.
- Approximately 30 percent of adult males get eaten by females after mating.
Habits
- Feeding — usually small insects.
- Location — they build a silken tube or sac (instead of a web) in a protected area which is used as their daytime retreat.
- Visibility — they emerge at night to look for food. They drop to the floor to seek cover when disturbed.