Have you ever seen a small spider suddenly jump out of your window while you were doing some gardening? You might have been scared. Many people are a little scared of these small, jumping spiders. This is the type of spider we call the "Jumping Spider." As the name suggests, they can jump. But who exactly is this little creature? Are they a problem for us? Let's find out more about them today.
Who is this Jumping Spider?
Simply put, these spiders are a species of animals that have the amazing ability to jump distances ranging from 10 to 40 times their body length. That is why they got their name. Their hind legs are very strong, and those two legs help them jump. Scientifically, they belong to the spider family `(Salticidae)`. This is a large spider family with more than 4,000 species worldwide.
They live outdoors most of the time. You can find them in your garden, in the grass, and in old fields. But sometimes they can also come inside your home in search of food. If they do, they may be under your furniture, between window coverings, and in doorways and windows.
In fact, these spiders are very beneficial to your garden because they eat insects that bother us, like mosquitoes and worms that damage our gardens.
Some people keep these spiders as pets. Some species have very beautiful, shiny colors. They are also very intelligent and friendly spiders. Watching their behavior is also very interesting. If you handle them carefully, the risk of getting bitten is very low.
How do you identify a jumping spider?
People often confuse this spider with the dangerous "black widow spider" in our country. This is because the more commonly seen Jumping Spider species also has a black body. However, it is easy to distinguish the two.
Let's see this difference clearly.
| Characteristic | Jumping Spider | Black Widow Spider |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Small, somewhat stocky, short body. Usually has a buxom appearance. | A smooth, shiny, spherical body. |
| Legs | Relatively short, fat legs. | Very long, thin legs. |
| Color | They can be black, brown, or gray. They may have white, yellow, red, blue, or green spots or stripes on their bodies. In some species, the mouthparts are shiny metallic. | It is often dark black in color. There is a red hourglass-shaped mark under the abdomen. |
Another special thing about a Jumping Spider is their eyes. They have eight eyes. The two large eyes in the front give them very sharp vision. They use this vision to hunt for prey. Unlike other spiders, they are active during the day, when there is sunlight.
Instead of spinning webs to catch prey, they sneak up on their prey and suddenly jump on it to grab it. They use the spider webs to protect themselves from falling when jumping or descending from high places.
Do these spiders really bite us?
This is the biggest question everyone has. The short answer is, usually no. Jumping spiders rarely bite humans. They only do so if they feel threatened, like if you try to grab them by the arm and squeeze them. Otherwise, they will run away and hide when they see you.
Imagine that you were bitten by this spider by mistake. What would happen then?
Don't worry. Most of the time you won't even feel anything. That means you won't have any symptoms (asymptomatic). Sometimes you might have a minor reaction.
- The bite site may be slightly red and itchy, as if a mosquito had bitten you .
- The pain is much less than a bee sting.
- These symptoms usually disappear within a few hours.
What do you do if you get bitten?
1. Wash thoroughly with soap and water: It is important to keep the bite area clean.
2. Apply a cold compress: Wrap some ice cubes in a cloth and place them on the wound for about 10 minutes. This will reduce swelling and itching.
3. Painkillers: If the pain or itching is too much, you can ask your doctor to take a painkiller like Paracetamol.
But be very careful about this: Some people can have severe allergic reactions to insect bites. If you experience symptoms such as sudden difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling of the lips or face after a bite, it is an emergency. Go to the nearest hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately.
Their venom is only meant to paralyze their small insect prey, but is not strong enough to harm humans.
How do I stop it from coming to my house? How do I get rid of it?
There is no need to use insecticides to kill these spiders. They do not breed indoors. The best and kindest way is to catch them and release them back outside.
- Use a glass: Place a glass or jam jar over the spider's body. Then, gently push a piece of paper or card under the glass. The spider will jump onto it. Now you can carefully remove it and release it.
- Vacuum Cleaner: If the spider is in a high corner of the house, out of reach, use a vacuum cleaner to gently pull it out. Then, open the vacuum bag outside the house and release it.
To prevent them from coming into your home, you can seal the gaps in your windows and doors. It's best to use screens on your windows. Keeping the inside of your home dry and free of moisture will also reduce their stay inside.
If you are not sure which spider bit you, or if the wound does not heal within a few days and is swollen, red, and painful, it is best to see your doctor for advice.
Take-Home Message
- The Jumping Spider is a species of spider that is commonly seen in our gardens and is generally harmless.
- They are beneficial to us because they eat annoying insects like mosquitoes.
- They only bite if they feel threatened, and the bite is usually as minor as a mosquito bite.
- If bitten, it is enough to wash the area with soap and rinse with cold water.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms such as difficulty breathing or hives, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- Instead of killing them, it is best to safely capture them and release them back into the wild.
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