When people see spiders in their homes, one of the first things they think about is how to get rid of them. While spiders are beneficial to an extent, spider removal is the right idea. Spiders will eventually reproduce, and the number of offspring they produce can soon result in uncontrollable infestations. To understand how an infestation can grow so quickly, it is necessary to understand the reproduction cycle of spiders, from courtship to egg sacs, including the potential number of spiderlings a single mother can produce.

Courtship Rituals

As with most animal and insect species, spiders participate in courtship rituals. The males engage in specific behaviours and movements in an attempt to woo or convince the females they are worthy.

During courtship, some of the most notable behaviours include rocking his body, pulling on the web, vibrating his abdomen, making rolling motions with his palps (appendages protruding from the mouth), tapping the web, or tapping the female. If the female is interested, she accepts the male’s sperm web to fertilize her eggs.

Reproduction

When it is time to reproduce, the male spider spins a little web held in his palps, into which he deposits his sperm. As female spiders can be temperamental and violent towards males, males are cautious when approaching. When allowed close enough, the male spider places the sperm web into an opening underneath the female’s abdomen.

The female fertilizes her eggs with sperm and lays the eggs into a sac. The spermatheca, an internal storage area, can hold the sperm of several males. Once the mating is over, the female spider might eat the smaller male.

Spider Egg Sacs

Spiders do not have live births; they lay eggs. The eggs are contained in a sac that the mother makes out of silken threads produced through spinnerets near the bottom of the abdomen. The threads are made from the same silk as spider webs, which come from liquid secretions that solidify when they hit the air. She shapes these threads into a ball. 

A single spider sac can contain hundreds of eggs. After laying, it generally takes about two to three weeks for the eggs to hatch. 

Spiderlings or Spider Babies

Most of the hundreds of baby spiders will not last long. Known as spiderlings, hatchlings do not stay close to the sac once hatched. They immediately begin moving away, climbing up the nearest branch or top of a blade of grass, where they produce a silken thread to act as a parachute and allow the wind to carry them far away.

The travelling process is known as ballooning, and it is the most dangerous part of a spiderling’s journey to adulthood. As baby spiders begin their travel, they typically become victims to birds, wasps, other spiders, and insecticides. If they survive, it takes spiderlings about one year to mature, depending on the spider species.

Spider Control

While spiders are amazing creatures, you do not want to let them take over your property, especially inside. The best way to keep spiders out of your home is through adequate maintenance. Keep plants, bushes, and yard debris away from the foundation of your house. Additionally, keep your lawn cut in the warmer months. Finally, if you have a spider problem, seek pest control in Thornhill.

Have you noticed spider eggs or an abundance of webs around your property? If so, do not hesitate to contact Truly Nolen, one of Canada’s leading pest control companies. The service will send qualified technicians to assess your property and determine the extent of your problem. After inspecting the property, they will tell you all of your available options and provide an estimate for dealing with the spiders before they breed more.