There are few pests that are more feared and despised than spiders, and the bigger the spider, the more fear they cause. Austin is a great place to live with a few exceptions, including one of the most famous types of big spiders, the tarantula. If the thought of tarantulas makes your skin crawl, then you need the services of the best pest control in Austin, Aries Pest Control.
The Docile, Not Deadly Tarantula
This is the peak time of the year for tarantulas in Austin. The sight of these big scary spiders with their intimidating large, hairy bodies and two fangs pointing backward below the eyes, will make most people run for cover. Although these are scary spiders in size, they are docile towards humans. Snakes, birds, and other tarantulas are the prey of these giant spiders in Texas; humans are not a target for tarantulas. They dodge humans and seek to avoid contact. In fact, because of their shy nature and lack of aggression toward humans, they are listed as being some of the best pet spiders.
Tarantulas In Austin
Tarantulas prefer warm climates, and in the United States, tarantulas live in the southwest region. Their habitat ranges from California to the Mississippi River, including Texas. About four dozen species of tarantulas live in the United States, and it is estimated that Texas is home to 14 species of tarantulas.
Although found primarily in Texas grasslands, they are also found in cities like Austin. If you encounter a tarantula in Austin, it is likely a Texas brown tarantula. They are so-named because of the dark brown hair on their heavy body. These eight-eyed spiders also have reddish hair on the carapace (the area behind their head) and legs up to 4 inches long.
Where Tarantulas Most Frequently Build Nests
Tarantulas in Austin build their nests in the ground in burrows. Although they will create their own dwelling places, they prefer the natural cavities found under stones, logs, loose tree bark, and former burrows of rodents. Tarantulas create webs, but they are not used to catch prey. The web is used to block the entrance of the burrow. Another function of the web is to provide camouflage from predators. They also use their spider silk to create an early alert system at the entrance of their burrows. This system alerts them when prey, such as caterpillars, grasshoppers, and beetles are nearby. When the potential victim is near, the tarantula will pounce on it, grab it, paralyze it with venom, and complete the kill using their fangs. Once dispatched, the tarantula uses its web as a place to handle the newly captured food.
Like lizards and snakes, tarantulas have to shed their skin to grow; this process is known as "molting." The tarantula will create a hammock out of silk to lie on during the painful molting process.
Tarantula Control For Austin Residents
Tarantulas are solitary creatures. If you see a tarantula in your home, you can take comfort that it is likely the only one. However, if it is a female tarantula, you may have as many as 1,000 little tarantulas running around your residence within a few months. With the possibility of a horde of tarantulas soon invading your property, you may want to take action to get rid of tarantulas at your Austin home or business once you see one of these large spiders on your property.
Your best solution to eliminating these crazy-looking spiders is with the help of the professionals at Aries Pest Control. Our trained experts know where to find the tarantula's burrow on your property, and we can safely remove tarantulas from your property. Contact us today and let us solve your tarantula problem.