Are Banana Spiders Poisonous? Banana Spider Behavior

Are banana spiders poisonous? The mention of banana quickly brings to memory the picture of a yellow, elongated, edible fruit usually taken by humans and animals as well. Banana spiders do not look like bananas, they do not smell like bananas, and are not always found on bananas, no! they got their names from the fact that they shoot out webs the same color with a banana and are yellow just like a banana.

Are these golden creatures poisonous? do they bite? what attracts them? these and many more are a few of those questions this article is set to unravel. Let’s get yellow!

 

Read also: How Many Legs Does a Centipede Have?

 

Interesting Insights About the Banana Spiders

As mentioned earlier, banana spiders are not called that because they look like bananas or are found on bananas but because they shoot out webs that look the same color as a banana and are sometimes found in banana shipments. You probably didn’t know this, well below are some key facts you should note about the banana spider:

• A banana spider is easily identifiable by its long lanky legs, brown or yellowish hue, and unique golden web.
• It has 3 different names, the golden silk orb-weaver, the giant wood spider, and the writing spider.
• They can be found in regions such as Africa, Asia, Australia, and the southeastern United States.
• They shoot out golden web silk.
• Its specie is the oldest surviving spiders on earth.
• They are very quick at escaping very tense situations.
• The biggest banana spider ever known was discovered in Australia and was known to be 2.7 inches in length. Females are usually bigger than males.
• One very striking fact is that the female banana spider feeds on the male after mating (Besides they’re bigger).

With this enlightenment, you should be able to identify this spider if you ever encounter one.

What Attracts Banana Spiders?

Banana spiders are not really a pest in the home but they somehow become a nuisance if left to grow, reproduce, and roam the entire house without control measures taken to prevent it. Although having these pests in your home is not a bad idea as they can help reduce the population of some other disturbing pests in the house. Below is a list of things that may attract the golden spider in your home:

• Rowed crops are one of those things that attract the banana spider (these pests are only attracted to rowed crops since these are places where they build construct their habitat)
• Bees (Since bees are attracted to flowers the banana spider shoots out brightly lit silk to attract them)
• Mosquitoes
• Butterflies
• Small moths
• Flies
• Wasps
• Grasshoppers
• Stinkbugs
• Leaf-footed bugs
• Beetles
• Dragonflies

So you see, these pests are not blood-sucking parasites or in any way harmful to man. Well, who knows? let’s find out!

What do Banana Spiders Eat?

Of course, spiders are known to feed on a wide variety of insect pests and the banana spider is no exception. Previously we mentioned those things that may attract these guys in your home, well, guess what? they also feed on what they are attracted to. Crazy right? In case you didn’t quite follow the last sub-heading, let us clear our thoughts on that. Below is a list of things banana spiders feed on:

• Banana spiders feed on a wide range of flying prey such as Bees (Since bees are attracted to flowers the banana spider shoots out brightly lit silk to attract them), Mosquitoes, Butterflies, Small moths, Flies, Wasps, Grasshoppers, Stinkbugs, Leaf-footed bugs, Beetles, Dragonflies, etc.

The feeding habit of a banana spider is somewhat beneficial to man as it helps in the reduction of pests population in the home.

 

Read also: Rabid Wolf Spider; Facts, Behavior, Identification, and Control

 

Do Banana Spiders Bite?

Though it is certain that banana spiders are not much of a nuisance to humans and are not blood-sucking parasites. But do this pests bite? guess what, yes they do. Banana spiders have been discovered by scientists as a timid creature that would run away or escape danger at the slightest chance/opportunity, but they will only bite if they feel threatened or scared and are in a situation where they can’t escape.

A bite from this spider is not as painful as the sting of a bee or a bite from other dangerous spiders but it will cause a little discomfort.

 

Are Banana Spiders Poisonous?

Now to the big question, are these cool-headed pests really poisonous? well, let’s find out.

The simple answer to this question is yes, but not as deadly as that of a black widow venom. Although this spider is poisonous, it’s venom is not so strong to cause fatal circumstances. Its bite may cause allergies such as blisters, redness, and pain around the bitten area but these symptoms will go away after a day or two.

Allergic reactions to the poison are rare, but in most cases cause difficulty in breathing and muscle cramps. If any of these after-effects are noticed, then medical advice should be sought immediately. As stated earlier the banana spider is also beneficial, especially in gardens as they help kill insects, such as fruit flies.

Are banana spiders poisonous? well, now you know.

 

How do I Treat a Banana Spider Poison?

Not everyone is seriously affected by a bite from the orb-weaver but some people are allergic to them, and serious measures need to be taken to reduce the effect of this poison. Below are ways of treating a banana spider’s poison:

• Wash the bitten area with soap and warm water to keep it clean.
• Apply ice to the affected area to prevent swelling.
• Apply Benadryl cream to the affected area to lessen the symptoms and reduce itching.
• Do well to apply aloe vera gel to the irritated skin.
• Contact your doctor if symptoms persist.

 

Things To Note

Banana spiders are not in any way harmful to a man unless you’re allergic to their bites. The golden orb-weaver serves a lot of beneficial purposes to man by reducing the population of disturbing pests in the house and making the house, even gardens less pesty.

Are banana spiders poisonous? yes, they are but only if they feel threatened and disturbed and this bite will only cause symptoms to allergic individuals. We’re glad to have been of so much help to you, for more info contact us and have your questions answered immediately. But be careful with that banana, what if they are there!

 

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