Did you know there are nearly 1,400 species of spiders throughout Canada? These fascinating eight-legged creatures survive in nearly any environment, but they have also learned to live near or with humans for warmth, food sources and the moisture they require. Spiders are also unique when it comes to their eyesight, and at Truly Nolen, we have the facts about how spiders see their world as well as ours, along with spider pest control in Barrie when you find an infestation in your home. 

Spiders Have Poor Eyesight 

Most spiders have eight eyes, while others have six or even fewer, but no matter the type of spider, many have poor eyesight and do not use their eyes the way humans do. Most can detect dark and light, which helps maintain their web-spinning and hunting activities, but they rely much more on vibration than actually seeing what is around them. 

Some spiders have better eyesight than others. For example, wolf spiders and other species that do not build webs but hunt actively along the ground tend to see better than their web-spinning kin. Their unique eyesight allows them to track and pounce on different types of prey, from insects to small lizards and even mice, depending on the spider’s size. 

Most Spiders Cannot See Humans 

Because most spiders do not use their eyes the way insects or mammals usually do, they cannot recognize human faces or realize we can see them. Instead, they are much more likely to feel the vibrations of our speech or our footsteps, as well as when we are in motion. Some may even raise their forelegs when you approach or if you corner them, as they likely recognize us as a predator. This is one of the reasons that professional indoor spider control is important, as many species hide where you cannot see them, especially females guarding egg sacs or spiderlings. 

Some Spiders See In Colour 

There are a few species that see as well as humans and process the same kinds of colours just as well as your eyes can. Most kinds of jumping spiders see in colour and from several different angles, as their multiple eyes serve several different purposes, from detecting the prey’s movements to locking on before they jump and ambush their prey. This type of eyesight allows them to hunt during the day instead of at dusk or in the dark, as some larger species do. 

Eye Size Predicts Hunting Behaviours 

The size of a spider’s eyes often rules its hunting style. Some wolf spiders, for instance, have large rear, or posterior eyes that allow them to see prey in low or little light. Jumping spiders hunt during the day because of their superior eyesight, while others with smaller, simpler vision hunt when they detect something caught in their web because they can only see quick, short bursts of movement. This is why some spiders tend to run away when you try to practice individual spider removal, and their speed and ability to change direction quickly make this difficult. 

We Can Help With Outdoor Spider Control 

An increase of spiders around the exterior of your Barrie home may have several causes, such as your porch or patio lights attracting insects that spiders find especially tasty, such as moths. Using low-wattage bulbs can prevent this, as can clearing away webs, but calling us in to handle the spiders you cannot see, such as the ones that make their homes under your decks or in the crevices of exterior walls, can help prevent the next generation of spiders taking over your property with our solutions for outdoor spider control. 

Spiders see their world in a vastly different way than people do, and this helps regulate their behaviour. While their wide array of eyesight is fascinating, you may not think so when they set their sights on your home. Call us today or schedule an inspection to rid your home of spiders for good.