http://www.seattlepi.com/science/article/Spike-in-spiders-this-season-expert-says-11275301.php
When the seasons change (albeit mildly in Northern California) and the weather warms, it can sometimes seem as if spiders have appeared with a vengeance.
That's generally not the case, says spider ecologist and educator Linda Erickson, who decries the yearly stories from pest control and media outlets that tout an "uptick in spider populations this season."
This year, however, she's noticed a notable change.
"There is definitely a spike, definitely more spiders," she said. "It just makes sense."
Erickson, who literally has the moniker "Spider Chick" printed on her business cards, is an expert on this sort of thing, and though she lacks hard data, she says this year's atmospheric conditions are ripe for flourishing arachnids.
This baseball sized spider species was first discovered LAST YEAR in a California mine.
Spiders require moisture, she says, and in dry periods – such as California's five-year drought – spiders die off in droves. Conversely, wet periods allow their populations to thrive.
"When there is ample moisture in the air, a greater number of eggs and spiderlings are able to survive," she said, describing the young arachnids as "delicate."
Moisture from the air collects on spiders' webs and bodies, she explained, which they can drink to maintain hydrated. Without ample hydration, the arachnids, like humans, simply dry up.
California saw one of its rainiest seasons in years, which Erickson says provides evidence to support a "spiking spider population" hypothesis. That and the fact that she's noticed an abundance of pesky spiderwebs and insects (spider prey) around her Pinole home. By simple food chain logic: The more insects buzzing about means a greater availability of spider food, and therefore, more spiders.
The Spider Chick imparted this information cautiously for fear of raising the alarm of an already arachnophobic citizenry. Different species of spiders hatch year-round in Northern California, she says, and just because you don't see them doesn't mean they're not around.
"Most people don't really pay attention to spiders unless they're crawling on them," she lamented. "When they're closer in your consciousness, people suddenly notice them more and begin to call it a surge."
"All that being said," she added hesitantly, "I do think there's been an increase."
When the seasons change (albeit mildly in Northern California) and the weather warms, it can sometimes seem as if spiders have appeared with a vengeance.
That's generally not the case, says spider ecologist and educator Linda Erickson, who decries the yearly stories from pest control and media outlets that tout an "uptick in spider populations this season."
This year, however, she's noticed a notable change.
"There is definitely a spike, definitely more spiders," she said. "It just makes sense."
Erickson, who literally has the moniker "Spider Chick" printed on her business cards, is an expert on this sort of thing, and though she lacks hard data, she says this year's atmospheric conditions are ripe for flourishing arachnids.
This baseball sized spider species was first discovered LAST YEAR in a California mine.
Spiders require moisture, she says, and in dry periods – such as California's five-year drought – spiders die off in droves. Conversely, wet periods allow their populations to thrive.
"When there is ample moisture in the air, a greater number of eggs and spiderlings are able to survive," she said, describing the young arachnids as "delicate."
Moisture from the air collects on spiders' webs and bodies, she explained, which they can drink to maintain hydrated. Without ample hydration, the arachnids, like humans, simply dry up.
California saw one of its rainiest seasons in years, which Erickson says provides evidence to support a "spiking spider population" hypothesis. That and the fact that she's noticed an abundance of pesky spiderwebs and insects (spider prey) around her Pinole home. By simple food chain logic: The more insects buzzing about means a greater availability of spider food, and therefore, more spiders.
The Spider Chick imparted this information cautiously for fear of raising the alarm of an already arachnophobic citizenry. Different species of spiders hatch year-round in Northern California, she says, and just because you don't see them doesn't mean they're not around.
"Most people don't really pay attention to spiders unless they're crawling on them," she lamented. "When they're closer in your consciousness, people suddenly notice them more and begin to call it a surge."
"All that being said," she added hesitantly, "I do think there's been an increase."
