Daddy-Longlegs are the one spider I prefer not to kill, but to pick up by one of it’s legs and remove to a safer spot if they are in my way. As kids we had a saying; can’t seem remember it, but it was something about killing one would cause it to rain.
The last time I looked it up, I believe the article said that they have a very strong venom for their size but it isn’t toxic to humans in the volume they have available.
Three critters that have the moniker of Daddy-longlegs:
Daddy-longlegs/Crane Flies (Tipulidae)The most dangerous one, The flying venom spitter of death, just kidding, in their short winged life they will occasionally drink nectar.
Daddy-longlegs (Opiliones)Non segmented body, eats rotting plant material, is not a spider and has no venom, often found under logs.
Daddy-longlegs spiders (Pholcidae) Being the only spider of the 3 this one does have venom but of low toxicity, and are not designed to bite mamals.
My younger daughter has inherited my ability to catch spiders we find in the house and put them outside, but she’s done me one better: she has TALKED them in to our “spider box” (which we use to capture them safely).
Nasty dirty critters if allowed to colonize, they liked the moisture under my Mom’s kitchen sink. They formed a colony behind the drywall, almost impossible to get rid of.
Daddy long-legs are the most venomous spider around, but their mouths are so small they can’t bite you. I read that on the internet, so it must be true…
Long Legs are NOT Spiders. They are more closely related to fleas and ticks but they lack the body of a spider. And actually they are poisonous technically but the venom is in such a small amount it cannot hurt you.
When I am called upon to remove a spider from the bathroom, I use a paper towel tube I keep around for the purpose.
After opening the window, I put the tube over the spider. If it’s not inclined to enter the tube, I slide it a little until it takes refuge there. then I take a peek inside to be sure it’s not pulling a fast one — usually, it’s right there inside, sometimes moving through the tube, more often asking itself what just happened. It’s unharmed, though sliding too hard or too fast would probably not be good for it.
Then I point the tube out the window and blow the spider out into the yard. It’s not necessary to apply my mouth to the tube. One more look tells me it’s outside, and I close the window and put the tube back in its place of honor, where my family knows not to throw it out.
As DreamScourge said, there are two similar critters called daddy longlegs. The one with the round, unsegmented body and a tiny head is NOT a spider and is not venomous. The one with the segmented body (3 parts) IS a spider and can bite, but usually doesn’t. When I was a child we played with the non-spider variety all the time.
We get crane flies by the thousands at certain times of the year. They are also called mosquito hawks, because they look like VERY large mosquitoes, but contrary to popular belief, they do not feed on mosquitoes. They can be very annoying flying around in the house, though. Especially if you have cats that like to chase them.
Oh, good grief, not again – they are not venomous, they are not spiders (although they are arachnids, a class of arthropods along with shrimp,) they DO NOT have any venom glands. Period. Also called “harvestmen”.
My mom said Daddy Long Legs ate mosquitoes. Maybe she said tht so I would not be scared. They are graceful.Thank you for the info & ideas.
BUG CATCHER: buy a box of wood match sticks and get rid of the matches.ca. It is cardboard, box shape and the inside slides open. Has a red and blue cover? Anyway, slide it open put it over the bug, gently slide it closed again (so the bug has a chance to move and not get hurt). Try not to let it get out of the container (it is only cardboard), Outside, put it down and push it open so it can get out. Just leave, so it won’t get frightened.
I believe I got that idea from (I think) Beverley Nichols a writer IN England. I am not sure. His classic “Laughter On The Stairs”. They are reprinting his books, which are mainly about cats, neighbors, gardening, and his life. He was a journalist in World War 2 and injured, on a stretcher, saw an injured plant which he had dug up to rescue with him. The guards were fans of this gardener and let him take it. He met an American who was flying to England near his home, he had the American deliver it for him.
Daddylonglegs eat ants. They are great! We leave them be and they are wonderful natural ways to rid the house of ants. The house is never over run with Daddylong legs, and when ant season is over, they leave.
Oh, you would know the ones with the red belly! They are big and black and shiny and …. Yuck! Really, the ones you want to watch out for the the smaller brown ones…you know…they are “reclusive”. By all means, keep clear of them.
Egrayjames over 8 years ago
Daddy-Longlegs are the one spider I prefer not to kill, but to pick up by one of it’s legs and remove to a safer spot if they are in my way. As kids we had a saying; can’t seem remember it, but it was something about killing one would cause it to rain.
MickMaus over 8 years ago
The last time I looked it up, I believe the article said that they have a very strong venom for their size but it isn’t toxic to humans in the volume they have available.
tirnaaisling over 8 years ago
Three critters that have the moniker of Daddy-longlegs:
Daddy-longlegs/Crane Flies (Tipulidae)The most dangerous one, The flying venom spitter of death, just kidding, in their short winged life they will occasionally drink nectar.
Daddy-longlegs (Opiliones)Non segmented body, eats rotting plant material, is not a spider and has no venom, often found under logs.
Daddy-longlegs spiders (Pholcidae) Being the only spider of the 3 this one does have venom but of low toxicity, and are not designed to bite mamals.
All very harmless little critters.
Wren Fahel over 8 years ago
My younger daughter has inherited my ability to catch spiders we find in the house and put them outside, but she’s done me one better: she has TALKED them in to our “spider box” (which we use to capture them safely).
Less Monday... More Friday over 8 years ago
Nasty dirty critters if allowed to colonize, they liked the moisture under my Mom’s kitchen sink. They formed a colony behind the drywall, almost impossible to get rid of.
Amra Leo over 8 years ago
Daddy long-legs are the most venomous spider around, but their mouths are so small they can’t bite you. I read that on the internet, so it must be true…
Sportymonk over 8 years ago
Long Legs are NOT Spiders. They are more closely related to fleas and ticks but they lack the body of a spider. And actually they are poisonous technically but the venom is in such a small amount it cannot hurt you.
Kip W over 8 years ago
When I am called upon to remove a spider from the bathroom, I use a paper towel tube I keep around for the purpose.
After opening the window, I put the tube over the spider. If it’s not inclined to enter the tube, I slide it a little until it takes refuge there. then I take a peek inside to be sure it’s not pulling a fast one — usually, it’s right there inside, sometimes moving through the tube, more often asking itself what just happened. It’s unharmed, though sliding too hard or too fast would probably not be good for it.
Then I point the tube out the window and blow the spider out into the yard. It’s not necessary to apply my mouth to the tube. One more look tells me it’s outside, and I close the window and put the tube back in its place of honor, where my family knows not to throw it out.
sbwertz over 8 years ago
As DreamScourge said, there are two similar critters called daddy longlegs. The one with the round, unsegmented body and a tiny head is NOT a spider and is not venomous. The one with the segmented body (3 parts) IS a spider and can bite, but usually doesn’t. When I was a child we played with the non-spider variety all the time.
sbwertz over 8 years ago
We get crane flies by the thousands at certain times of the year. They are also called mosquito hawks, because they look like VERY large mosquitoes, but contrary to popular belief, they do not feed on mosquitoes. They can be very annoying flying around in the house, though. Especially if you have cats that like to chase them.
RoseHawke over 8 years ago
Oh, good grief, not again – they are not venomous, they are not spiders (although they are arachnids, a class of arthropods along with shrimp,) they DO NOT have any venom glands. Period. Also called “harvestmen”.
jtviper7 over 8 years ago
I you like to play with spiders, just make sure it doesn’t have a RED hourglass on it’s belly…
Storm dancer over 8 years ago
My mom said Daddy Long Legs ate mosquitoes. Maybe she said tht so I would not be scared. They are graceful.Thank you for the info & ideas.
BUG CATCHER: buy a box of wood match sticks and get rid of the matches.ca. It is cardboard, box shape and the inside slides open. Has a red and blue cover? Anyway, slide it open put it over the bug, gently slide it closed again (so the bug has a chance to move and not get hurt). Try not to let it get out of the container (it is only cardboard), Outside, put it down and push it open so it can get out. Just leave, so it won’t get frightened.
I believe I got that idea from (I think) Beverley Nichols a writer IN England. I am not sure. His classic “Laughter On The Stairs”. They are reprinting his books, which are mainly about cats, neighbors, gardening, and his life. He was a journalist in World War 2 and injured, on a stretcher, saw an injured plant which he had dug up to rescue with him. The guards were fans of this gardener and let him take it. He met an American who was flying to England near his home, he had the American deliver it for him.
ladylagomorph76 over 8 years ago
Daddylonglegs eat ants. They are great! We leave them be and they are wonderful natural ways to rid the house of ants. The house is never over run with Daddylong legs, and when ant season is over, they leave.
dfriedmann Premium Member over 8 years ago
Oh, you would know the ones with the red belly! They are big and black and shiny and …. Yuck! Really, the ones you want to watch out for the the smaller brown ones…you know…they are “reclusive”. By all means, keep clear of them.
UpaCoCoCreek Premium Member over 8 years ago
When the going gets tough…
David Huie Green LosersBlameOthers&It'sYOURfault over 8 years ago
I have had hundreds of these harmless critters fall on me. I would move very slowly to give them time to get to safety.