Eagle Crab Spiders take creepy to a new level. Named after their crab-like shape, they are known to walk sideways or backwards, like many crabs.
Identification: Depending on the species, Eagle Crab Spiders can be 1/2” to 1” in size. Most Crab Spider species are brown, but they can come in colors such as pink, white, yellow or green. Their colors are based on what flowers they frequent. There are over 125 species of Crab Spiders in the United States.
Habitat: Crab Spiders are usually found outside and rarely find their way indoors. Depending on the species, crab spiders live on the soil surface, in leaf litter, under bark, on plants, or on fences. They don’t spin webs to catch their prey, rather just wait in hiding for their prey. They patiently wait for other insects come near them and then pounce on their unsuspecting prey. You can often find Crab Spiders in gardens or landscaped areas, as this is prime hunting area.
Are Crab Spiders Dangerous? While crab spiders are venomous, the mouth pieces on most species are too small to pierce human skin. The few that are large enough to bite, only cause mild pain with no lasting side effects.These spiders are actually fairly beneficial, as they eat unwanted pests such as flies and mosquitoes.
Removal: If a crab spider happens to hitch a ride inside on a potted plant or fresh cut flowers, they should be easy to remove. Simply catch the spider using a cup and piece of paper. Once caught, release it back outside, away from your home.
If you need professional help removing Eagle Crab Spiders, or any other pest, give us a call at Get Lost Pest Control! Our friendly expert technicians will be glad to help any pests get lost!
