Summary:
The banana spider name is used for two entirely different species of spiders; the North American banana spider and the banana spider that is found in Central and
South America
. The southern rendition can be deadly, but is generally found, thankfully, only in rainforests. Still, there are over a thousand reports of bites every year in areas in southern
Brazil.
A reader asks:
I was wondering how I can get rid of the Banana spiders outside of my house. These giant spiders make it uncomfortable for us when we are around our pool.
Dear Reader: The Banana spider, also known as the Golden Silk spider, sets up its home in areas where there are lots of insects. So, in one way that spider is doing you a favor by being there because it's eating small insects that might otherwise enter your home. Free exterminating services offered by Mother Nature. However, that particular spider is pretty big and even though they are not interested in you, it's probably not a spider you want to suddenly find crawling in your hair.
Consistently knocking down the webs of any spider will cause the spider to relocate. The web is the spider's means of surviving.
The other thing to consider is what is attracting the spider's food to the area around your house. Dense vegetation and lights will attract lots of insects upon which spiders thrive. Outdoor lighting should be turned off when possible. Also, consider changing the outdoor bulbs to sodium vapor bulbs. They are more expensive, but they last longer and attract fewer flying insects. You might also consider closing the shades of any windows facing the pool enclosure. Lights from indoors will also attract flying insects at night.
These spiders rarely bite people. For most, a spider bite may cause a small bump, but some people might have an allergic reaction causing more adverse effects. For the most part a spider's bite is not fun, but it won't kill you.
Comments
ksie barton
15 Oct 2008, 12:26
Are banana spiders the same as garden spiders?
Ask the Exterminator
16 Oct 2008, 15:13
Funny thing about insect names. One person calls it a banana spider,
another calls it a golden silk spider, while another, still, calls it a
garden spider. In fact, the banana spider is a banana spider. Plus, there
are harmless banana spiders found in the northern hemisphere and poisonous
banana spiders found in the southern hemisphere, in tropical rain forests.
So, if your banana spider is called a garden spider in your region, then
who am I to argue?
Janine
09 Aug 2009, 11:28
Okay I have about 4 HUGE banana spiders and 5 little babies... On my
porch... by my front door! HELP!! We have tried to move the webs alot,
however they are sure determend to live with us. My son who is 3 is very
interested in it but the bigest one is the size of his hand and well I
think you get the point. My concern is I can not aford pest control, and do
not want to kill them, Please help me find another alternative. Thank you!
Dennis
15 Aug 2009, 16:40
My house looks like a horror movie this summer. I normally have 3 or 4
banana spiders a year, but this summer I have at least 20. I knocked all
the webs down 2 days ago and today most are back already.
Boy I can't wait for winter!! Anybody else think they are worse this year
than normal??
DawnMarie
16 Aug 2009, 20:12
Yes, these Banana Spiders are worse than last year, they are out in full
force. I have lived in my home for 12 years and last year was the first
year i saw them and now this year we are invested and i mean hundreds and
hundreds are surrounding my backyard which is a preserve. I dont know what
to do, im going to call the city. We dont have birds like we used to, I
wonder if maybe the birds use to eat them? Help, these things are
everywhere and I can take it!
Lillian
17 Aug 2009, 09:56
Oh my...I never noticed them before. They are horrible. I live in a
preserve as well and it looks like a horror movie. Trees bushes, you can
see them clearly when you're driving. You don't even have to drive that
slow to spot them. Just a question....do you guys live in South Florida?
Amanda
21 Aug 2009, 11:57
I am having the same problem as Janine. I have a banana spider near my door
on the carport and we have basically just avoided it but now it looks like
there is an egg sack up there too. I can't handle all the babies! I have
grown up around them but this is just too close for comfort. I don't want
to kill the spider or destroy the egg sack. I need some suggestions on how
to move it though. Thanks!
