October, the month of cool autumn air and scary festivities, also reminds us that the spider season begins. While spiders are looking for a shelter in our houses, they trigger mixed reactions in humans. A very special spider (or is it one?), The Weberknecht, carries numerous misunderstandings. When Halloween moves closer, we ventilate the secret about these creatures and decide whether they are friends or enemy and what you should do when you see a weaving servant.

October, the month of cool autumn air and scary festivities, also reminds us that the spider season begins. While spiders are looking for a shelter in our houses, they trigger mixed reactions in humans. A very special spider (or is it one?), The Weberknecht, carries numerous misunderstandings. When Halloween moves closer, we ventilate the secret about these creatures and decide whether they are friends or enemy and what you should do when you see a weaving servant.

Spider Season: The truth about daddy long legs

DADDY LONG LEGS, also known as weavers or weavers, are particularly present in October. As part of the autumn atmosphere and creepy festivities, these spiders remind us that the spider season has started. When the eight -legged friends go in search of shelter, many of them can be found in our houses. This creates mixed reactions among humans. But what about the widespread myths about daddy long legs? If we approach Halloween, we want to discover the truth about these creatures and find out whether they are friends or enemy and how you should behave if you meet daddy long legs.

The truth about daddy long legs

You could believe that you know what a daddy long legs looks like. In fact, the term refers to three different creatures. Only one of them is a real spider, while the others belong to completely different families.

1. Weberknechte: Not what you think
Contrary to popular opinion, weaver servants are not spiders, but belong to the insect family. Karl Curtis, an important personality of the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, makes it clear that weaving servants are actually more related to flying than sporders. They appear at this time of year after spending the majority of their lives as larvae in the ground. Now they appear to find partners and lay eggs before their life cycle ends.

Because of their strikingly long legs, these creatures are often confused with spiders. Curtis explains: "They are often confused with spiders, but they are not, they are flying. They are a really good source of food for birds." Instead of seeing them as pests, Curtis is committed to catching them and released them, emphasizing their ecological importance. In addition, weavers' servants are not actively looking for a place in your home, but are attracted to warmth and light. These insects play a crucial role in natural pest control by capturing snails, worms and even other spiders.

1. Zitter spiders: The actual spiders of the group

If you discover a spider with thin legs in a corner of your room, you will probably look at a tremor spider. "The very thin spiders that you can find in the corners of your room are called trembling spiders," says Curtis.

troters, loyal to their name, often nest in cellars and other little frequented areas. There is a widespread myth that says that these spiders have a strong poison, but their too small jaw tongs are unable to penetrate human skin. However, this idea can be refuted, since trembling spiders are usually harmless and would only bite if there is a threat, which leads to slight irritation that can be easily treated.

1. Weberinnen: no spiders, but closely related

Similar to Weberknechten, weavers, also known as opilionids, are not spiders, even though they look like spider. Although they share the name "Daddy Long Long", they differ in many ways from spiders. For example, they do not spin nets, do not produce poison and only have two eyes.

Interestingly, weavers are known for their unique cleaning technology called leg threading, in which they pull their long legs through their mouths. These creatures are opportunistic eaters and feed on rotting organic material and even other dead insects. An interesting quality that you own is the ability to throw your legs off to escape predators, a method similar to the behavior of some lizards that lose your cocks.

what to do if you see daddy long legs

It is a natural human reaction: the sudden appearance of an unexpected creature in our houses often leads to the immediate wish to remove it. Especially when the creature has long, stretched legs like most daddy long legs. The fear and misunderstanding that surround these creatures often lead to an early end through frightened people. But is that really the best way?

understanding instead of fear

First of all, it is important to understand the nature of the creature with which you are dealing with. The term "daddy long legs" is a common nickname that can refer to different creatures, only a few of which represent a threat to humans. By recognizing their ecological importance, especially as a source of food for many birds, we can change our perspective. Instead of considering them as pests, we can appreciate their role in the larger ecosystem and show them the respect they deserve.

catch and release

instead of killing, catching and freeing is a humane and environmentally conscious solution. If a Weberknecht has strayed into your home, it is probably looking for warmth or has been attracted by the lights. You are not there to harm you or bother you. To capture it gently with a glass and a piece of paper and then released it outside, can be a simple and friendly solution.

The situation is similar with trembling spiders. They are mostly harmless and can be resettled in a similar way to weaving servants when their presence bothers you.

weavers who are nocturnal could surprise you in poorly illuminated areas of your house. Remember that you are more afraid of you than you are of them. Like the other two, they can be safely brought outside.

rethinking in pesticides: natural insect defense

When we find insects in our houses, we often instinctively use a pesticide spray, especially if our knowledge of the harmlessness of the creature is limited. But the carefree use of pesticides is not a solution. These chemicals not only harm insects that play an important role in our ecosystem, such as the misunderstood daddy long legs, but also pose potential risks for our health.

It is quite possible to deter or combat these creatures in a natural way without preparing inconvenience to you or us. Through the use of nature -related defense, we can create a balance in which humans and insects harmonize with each other without harming each other or the environment.

1. essential oils: Many essential oils have an effective effect against insects.

- peppermint oil: especially the scent of peppermint oil does not like spiders. A mixture of 15-20 drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle can be sprayed in areas where spiders are often.
- Lemon and eucalyptus oil: A combination of these two oils can act as a defense against many insects. However, make sure that they are mixed with a carrier oil or water before using them.

1. pebble gur: This is a natural fabric that consists of crushed fossil algae. It is non -toxic to humans, but is fatal to insects. Spread him around the foundation of your house or in areas where pests could penetrate.

2. vinegar: spinning does not like the strong smell of vinegar. Mix the same parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply it in corners, windows and inputs to deter them.

3. citrus fruit shells: Similar to vinegar, spiders are not fans of citrus fruits. Rubbing citrus fruit shells in areas where spiders are in is a way of defending. In addition, it leaves a pleasant fragrance!

4. cedar: cedar blocks or shavings can be used in cupboards, wardrobes and drawers to deter moths and other insects. The aromatic fragrance of cedar wood is not liked by many pests.