Banana Spider
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iitc.tamu.edu/IITC2002-2003/IITC2002/Highlighted_Araneae.htmThe banana spider is a common name used for two entirely different species of spiders. The argiope is found in North America and the phoneutria is found in Central and South America.
The major difference between these two spiders is that the phoneutria contains a venom similar to that of black widow spiders. This can result in sickness and death if not treated immediately. The argiope we have in North America has a much weaker venom and does not cause the health concerns as the phoneutria does. This is a large spider that has a long body with vivid black and yellow coloration on it. This shape and coloration is how this spider gets its name. These spiders are a nuisance only. They are not an aggressive spider. You do not have to directly kill these spiders to control them. If you do not want them in an area that has an existing web, simply remove the web and the spider will relocate further out from this area. A lot of people don’t mind these and will watch its progress outside a window or in the landscape all through the summer as it captures insects and tends to its regular behavior. I’ve had customers in the past ask me not to treat the banana spiders at a particular location of the home or property, just for this reason.
These spiders will spin webs that can reach up to several feet in diameter in remote areas. If there is a sufficient food source several of these spiders may be present in the same general location, for example the side of a structure or other similar areas. They like to attach webs in high areas on plants, buildings, porches, or similar areas. Bright sunny areas are a favorite spot for these spiders to build webs. They are also called “Zipper Spiders” due to the distinctive zipper pattern in the middle of their web. Their webs are very strong. It is stated the silk is stronger than that of Kevlar or steel. These spiders tend to stay outdoors, I have not observed them inside homes. They like the wide open areas on the outside of structures and plants.
The only true way to control spiders is with a direct liquid contact. You can’t control them with bait and you can’t control them with a granule. Treatment can be with a residual or contact aerosol or with a residual concentrate liquid. Sometimes a light application of insecticide dust can be applied to the web area. This works by allowing them to walk across it, pick it up, and ingest it as they groom themselves. The dust is a stomach poison and control is achieved in this manner. What makes spiders so difficult to control is that their body is elevated off the surface and they walk on small hooks on the bottom of their legs. The hooks are similar to our fingernails.
Control is a multi step process. Try to remove as much excess leaf and wood debris to minimize harborage sites for potential prey. Keep grass and edging cut down to a reasonable length so it will not create excessive harborage areas for insects these spiders feed on. Repair any gaps, cracks, or holes on the exterior of the structure to minimize entryways and harborage sites. Replace any worn, loose, or missing weather stripping around doors and windows. Also check for any worn doorway threshold areas and repair or replace as needed. Remember spiders do serve a purpose to control insects and other small pests until they become a nuisance themselves.
For quick control of the ones you see use an aerosol product. They come in both contact and residual types. Residual products leave behind material to remain active for a further length of time. Residual products include items such as
Cy-Kick 17.5 oz. can,
Invader HPX 14 oz. can, and
D-Force HPX 14 oz. can. Contact products include items such as
PI 18 oz. can,
PT 565 Plus 20 oz. can,
CB 80 Extra 17oz.can.
Liquid residual concentrates are mixed with water at label rates as needed. This method gets the treated area to a “neutral” condition where no spiders or insects are present. The drawback is that after 2 or 3 sprinkler cycles, a rain, or heavy dew the material is diluted to the point of ineffectiveness and nothing is there to provide continued control. If you use this method to control spiders and ants or other insects at the same time, afterwards you may want to treat with a weather resistant particle bait such as Niban to provide continued control for non-spider pests that could serve as a steady food source.
Residual concentrate products include
Demand CS 8 oz. or
Demand CS 1 qt.,
Suspend SC 1 pt.,
Tempo SC 240 ml,
Tempo Ultra WP 420 gram btl,
Talstar Pro 1 pt. or
Talstar Pro ¾ gal,
Viper 4 oz.,
Demon WP 4-9.5 gram bags per pk,
Demon WP 1 lb. jar,
Demon EC 1 pt.,
Cy-Kick CS 1 pt. or
Cy-Kick CS 120 oz..
Viper RTU is a ready to use pre mixed product in a 1 gal. Container with a handy sprayer attached to a 1-foot hose. These materials can be applied with a
1 gal. Poly Sprayer or a
2 gal. Poly Sprayer. For foundation perimeter application or yard application use a
Gilmour Hose End Sprayer Model 486 or a
Gilmour Hose End Sprayer Model 362. A lot of these products are labeled for inside use as well.
Before applying the liquid residual around the foundation perimeter apply insecticide dust in the weep holes and other void areas such as gaps, cracks, holes or other areas along the outside to control spiders running to these areas in escape of the liquid treatments. These products include
Delta Dust 1 lb. btl,
Delta Dust 5 lb. btl,
Borid 1 lb. btl, or
Borid 5lb. btl. The insecticide dust is best applied with a
Crusader Hand Duster. The dust works by applying a light amount in the target area. The pest then walks across it, picks it up on their body and ingests the dust as they groom themselves. The dust is a stomach poison and control is completed in this manner. If too big of a placement is applied they will avoid the area.
Copper mesh in the weep holes is a good way to minimize insect and spider entryways into this area. Since it is made of copper it won’t leave streaks down the foundation and the mesh is wide enough to allow adequate ventilation behind the bricks. This includes products such as
Stuff-fit Copper Mesh 20 ft. roll,
Stuf-fit Copper Mesh 20 ft. Precut, and
Stuf-fit Copper Mesh 100 ft. Roll.
Use these Niban products for the foundation grass line, landscape areas, and/or yard areas.This is good to treat non-spider pests.These sizes more suited to outside applications
Niban Insect Bait 5 lb. Shaker Bag, or
Niban Insect Bait 40 lb. Bag. Remember the particles are weather resistant through up to 4 inches of water. This bait works well through sprinkler cycles, rain, or heavy dew.
Glueboards are a good tool to use because they serve to control the spiders or insects, monitor for activity, and if any is found observe which way the pest is captured. This will allow you to backtrack to find possible harborage areas or entryways. We carry
Catchmaster CM MB 72 72 ct box,
Catchmaster CM MB 72 8 ct pk, or
Trapper LTD 72 ct box.
Always read and follow label directions. For additional information call Do It Yourself Pest Control Supplies at 972-562-9999, 903-891-8818, or 866-562-8999.
