Fishing Spiders

Fishing spiders, also called dock or wharf spiders, like to live in waterfront properties near lakes, ponds, marshes, reservoirs, rivers, streams, and woods. Swimming pools, boathouses, and boats may also become infested.

Able to feed on prey almost five times their size, fishing spiders have been reported to eat aquatic insects, minnows, tadpoles, frogs, and even small fish. When weaving their own tent-like nests – or nursery webs – they like to build in tall grasses, between rocks, or under docks.

For many people, the size and fierce appearance of a fishing spider alone are enough to cause alarm and stress. fishing spiders can also bite when trapped inside clothing, held, or sat or stepped on. Whilst not fatal, the bites are painful, similar to bee stings.

These pests also reproduce at an alarming rate, laying up to 1,000 eggs at a time, so it is important to act quickly if you suspect an infestation and to contact a professional pest control service to remove these pests effectively.

Limit standing water on property, Keep plants around the shore trimmed, Clear away debris like rock or wood piles