About Banana Spiders:
Most people see banana spiders and want to run. You might have even seen them on a youtube video.
The truth is, there are a lot of more dangerous spiders out there, but the size of the banana spiders legs are intimidating. It’s not a spider you should mess with because they do bite.
Identifying Banana Spiders
Banana spiders are light brown or yellow in color. They range in size, from approximately ¼” to 1 ½” in length. Their bodies are flat, and they are known for creating the largest webs of all types of spiders in the United States.
Location and Behavior Patterns:
Banana spiders do not live indoors, and can only be found indoors if taken inside by mistake. They prefer to live in dense shrubs or in the woods, and can sometimes be spotted along hiking trails. They feed on all types of insects; therefore, they like to create their massive webs in areas where their food source is plentiful.
This type of spider is not aggressive towards people, but it will bite if it feels threatened. A bite from a Banana spider will certainly hurt, but no long-lasting effects should remain for the individual.
While the banana spider venom is not potent enough to seriously injure a healthy adult. It is, however, potent enough to hospitalize an infant, pet, or person with health issues.
For a healthy individual, the symptoms from this spider may include.
- Local pain
- Redness
- Blisters
- A very very serious scare!
For individuals with allergies or other medical conditions, symptoms may be much worse.
If you travel out of America, keep in mind that there are different species of banana spiders.
Treatment For Banana Spiders
Banana spiders are plentiful throughout South Florida, especially during the Fall season. Because they live outdoors and they eat other types of crawling and flying insects, they are best if left alone. However, their webs can be dismantled and liquid spray can be effective if they are present in a populated area of your property.
Why is it called a banana spider?
The term “banana spider” is a common name used to describe several species of spiders that are found in tropical and subtropical regions, including the golden silk orb-weaver spider (Nephila clavipes) and the Brazilian wandering spider (Phoneutria nigriventer).
There are a few different theories about why these spiders are called banana spiders. One possibility is that the golden silk orb-weaver spider is often found on banana plants, which are a common food source.
Another theory is that the term “banana spider” comes from the appearance of the spider’s body, which is often yellow or golden, resembling a ripe banana color. It’s worth noting that the term “banana spider” is not a scientific name but a common name used colloquially.
Is the banana spider poisonous?
As scary as they may appear, banana spiders are some of the most harmless spider species in terms of venom. However, they can be very dangerous to people with a phobia for or allergy to spiders.
Are there banana spiders in Florida?
Banana spiders are usually found in warm areas. You can also find them in swampy areas and around the cost. This means that Florida is a comfortable habitat for them.
