Jumping Spiders
- Mike Balas
- Nov 7
- 3 min read
There aren't very many pests that scare people more than spiders, but jumping spiders are a special kind of unpleasant.
As anyone would assume, jumping spiders can jump. In fact, they can jump 10-40 times their body length. Since they can get up to almost an inch in length, some of them can jump about three feet!
What Do Jumping Spiders Look Like?
Jumping spiders vary by species. There are over 4,000 species of jumping spider; 300 of which are found in North America. The most commonly identified jumping spider is the black jumping spider. It is sometimes mistaken for a black widow because it also has a compact black body and shorter legs. Jumping spiders are also a variety of other colors, such as gray, brown or tan; and they may have colorful markings in white, yellow, blue, green or red.
Jumping spiders can be fairly small, 1/8 of an inch, or larger, 3/4 of an inch. They are usually hairy or scaly with thick, short legs. In addition to jumping large distances, jumping spiders can move quickly in all directions. They use a silk line to ensnare insects when they pounce on their prey. They have excellent daytime eyesight but very poor night vision, so they prefer to be active in daylight hours.
Are Jumping Spiders Harmful?
The bad news is that jumping spiders will bite you. The good news is that jumping spider bites are rare. Even better, their venom is usually pretty minor for humans. A jumping spider bite may swell, itch or sting but without an allergy, the symptoms will rarely get worse than that.
Jumping spiders like to live under furniture and in curtains, books, and bookshelves. As such, you may accidentally put your hand near a spider, inciting a bite. Fortunately, jumping spiders prefer to live outdoors so outdoor infestations are more likely than indoor.
Outside, they may be hiding in leaves or loose bark. They also like areas such as underneath rocks, on decks, and in bushes. You'll often find them near the outside of windows and doors in order to catch more insects. They prefer sunny spots where their vision is at it's peak. When doing yardwork, be watchful not to startle a spider (or yourself!) and keep yourself safe from bites.
How Do I Keep Jumping Spiders Off My Property?
While not dangerous, jumping spiders can become a real nuisance in your home or yard. To keep them out of your home, seal up any cracks or holes that may allow them inside. Check boxes, bags, and other items that you bring inside your home to make sure you don't have an unwanted hitchhiker.
Outside, you can reduce jumping spider populations by removing attractive hiding spots. Rake up leaves, clear piles of wood, keep bushes and trees pruned and grass trimmed. Jumping spiders are looking for prey, so anything you can do to prevent other insects from infesting your yard will help.
Professional pest control is a very effective tool against jumping spiders. Not only will it eliminate them directly, it will also reduce insect populations in general, which makes your home or yard a less hospitable place to take up residence.
At Virginia Pest Pro, we're always excited to help with any of your pest control needs. Give us a call today!
For even more information on local Virginia pests, check out our other blog posts and our pest library.
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