People tend to take very strong stances on spiders. Some people, for instance, keep spiders as pets in at-home terrariums; others avoid spiders at all costs. Though there are many reasons spiders evoke such distinct reactions, the hairiness of these eight-legged creatures is especially notable. What is the purpose of this hair? Is it really hair, or is it some other kind of feature? Consider a few interesting facts that may help you better understand the design and lifestyle of arachnids in Burlington, whether your goal is to keep them at bay or invite them to hang around long-term.

Spider Hair Basics

To begin, the hair you see on spiders is very different than that which you see on your dog or cat. Spiders’ hair is made of chitin, the same fibrous material that makes up a crab’s exoskeleton. Mammals’ hair, on the other hand, is made up of keratin, the same protein that makes up your fingernails.

Spiders can also have a couple of different types of hair. All spiders, for instance, have setae, small hairs found on the bottom of the foot. Hunting spiders often have additional hair in the form of claw tufts. This hair is found at the tip of a spider’s leg, covering two small claws. In addition to these two, spiders that build webs may have an extra claw and patch of hair.

The Purpose of Spiders’ Hair

Spiders’ hair isn’t meant to keep them warm; this feature serves a number of other unexpected and intriguing purposes. First, the setae that all spiders possess is used to help their feet adhere to various surfaces. The hairs allow a spider’s foot to temporarily “stick” to even the smoothest objects, such as a glass window. This is what makes spiders such great climbers.

Some spiders also have hairs known as trichobothria. These hairs enhance arachnids’ ability to sense stimuli in their surroundings. Some of these hairs allow spiders to detect chemicals, essentially giving them a sense of smell or taste. These chemosensory hairs may be important for navigation and identification of food. Other hairs vibrate in response to sound waves. This may enable spiders to anticipate the arrival of prey, such as flying insects.

Some spiders, like tarantulas, have hairs with special abilities. A tarantula’s urticating hairs, for example, can be ejected out of a spider’s body to land on a nearby predator. These hairs can cause a stinging sensation. Web-building arachnids may use their extra patch of hair to effectively handle their delicate strands of silk.

Managing Spider Infestations 

When you see spiders in your house, whether they appear to be hairy or not, you may be anxious to send them packing. Although most spiders you encounter in Burlington are not dangerous, these critters can leave messy webs throughout your home and may disturb your peace of mind.

To complete the spider removal process as quickly and with as little hassle as possible, reach out to your local Truly Nolen. We can use pressurized mist to target both spider eggs and adult spiders. We also aim to identify the entry points and attractions that drew the spiders to your home in the first place. This way, you can prevent their return by sealing up gaps and removing spiders’ food sources and hiding places.

Importantly, a spider infestation can be indicative of an insect infestation, as spiders must live near prey. At Truly Nolen, we can handle various types of pest control in Burlington, allowing you to reclaim your space as efficiently as possible.

Are you ready to say goodbye to uninvited spiders for good? Call your local Truly Nolen Canada team today to learn more.