pseudoscorpions and although very common, they are only occasionally found indoors and then only a few at any given time. Pseudoscorpions can be found in any room in a house; however, they are usually more common in damp areas, such as laundry rooms, basements and bathrooms. They look scary in appearance, but are harmless to people.
Pseudoscorpion, means “fake scorpions.” They are small (most are about 1/5 inch long) and reddish or brown. They have oval, flat body with two pincer-like appendages. When they walk, they often look crab-like and are able to move as quickly backward as they move forward. They are actually a type of arachnid and are related to spiders, ticks and scorpions. In fact, without their pincers, they look very much like ticks.
Pseudoscorpions are also similar to scorpions but do not have the long tail and stinger that is common to scorpions. They live in many different types of habitats, including forests, grasslands; sand dunes and even around beaches. They prefer to live in crevices and similar spaces and can be found in leaf litter, moss and even under tree bark and stones as well as in bird and mammal nests.
Many pseudoscorpions favor sites that have with high humidity, although some species can tolerate a degree of dry conditions. Even though they are not commonly seen, pseudoscorpions can be quite abundant. If the conditions are favorable, hundreds can be found within just one square yard.
These “false scorpions” will feed on many types of small insects and other arthropods, including springtails, bark and book lice, beetles, flies, ants, and mites. They may even stalk their prey while others prefer to ambush insects. They have poor vision, usually possessing two eyes, four eyes and some have no eyes. They use sensory hairs to sense when prey is nearby and when a small insect brushes against these sensory hairs, it triggers a reaction and they seize the insect.
The majority of pseudoscorpions have poison glands in their pincer-like claws which they use to paralyze prey, while they inject saliva into the victim then feeds on the liquid contents. Pseudoscorpions produce silk from glands on their mouthparts and use the silk to spin cocoons in which they overwinter and deposit molted exoskeletons. They also use silk to make sacs that protect their eggs.
When they mate, they usually first engage in a complex courtship dance and after the female is fertilized, she carries her eggs in a sac attached to her abdomen. Once the young is hatched, they remain on their mother obtaining nourishment for a short time before moving away on their own.
RED HOUSE SPIDER
The red house spider is a tropical arachnid, also known as the red-legged house spider and is often mistaken for the dangerous redback spider. However, the bite of the red house spider is not dangerous and symptoms typically are no more severe than localized pain.
The red house spiders are rusty red and are about the size of a dime. Their bodies are spotted, with females bearing a red, vertical band as well as an hourglass-like shape along the underside of the abdomen.
They are often found in dark, undisturbed, indoor spaces and may be found spinning their tangled webs under eaves, in doorframes and along the corners of baseboards.
HAIR DRYER TO THE RESCUE
Pseudoscorpions prefer damp areas and that is where you most likely will find them. Drying out these areas with a hair dryer or dehumidifier should do the trick.
RED SPIDER
Usually found on plants that have poor air circulation and suffer from malnutrition or lack adequate water. Spray the plant with a mild soapy water solution to get rid of the spiders, then feed and water the plant well.
RED SPIDER MITE
General Information:
These adult and nymph spiders will suck the juices from your plants and turn the leaves yellow, silver or even speckled.
They lay their eggs on the plants and are closely
Pseudoscorpion, means “fake scorpions.” They are small (most are about 1/5 inch long) and reddish or brown. They have oval, flat body with two pincer-like appendages. When they walk, they often look crab-like and are able to move as quickly backward as they move forward. They are actually a type of arachnid and are related to spiders, ticks and scorpions. In fact, without their pincers, they look very much like ticks.
Pseudoscorpions are also similar to scorpions but do not have the long tail and stinger that is common to scorpions. They live in many different types of habitats, including forests, grasslands; sand dunes and even around beaches. They prefer to live in crevices and similar spaces and can be found in leaf litter, moss and even under tree bark and stones as well as in bird and mammal nests.
Many pseudoscorpions favor sites that have with high humidity, although some species can tolerate a degree of dry conditions. Even though they are not commonly seen, pseudoscorpions can be quite abundant. If the conditions are favorable, hundreds can be found within just one square yard.
These “false scorpions” will feed on many types of small insects and other arthropods, including springtails, bark and book lice, beetles, flies, ants, and mites. They may even stalk their prey while others prefer to ambush insects. They have poor vision, usually possessing two eyes, four eyes and some have no eyes. They use sensory hairs to sense when prey is nearby and when a small insect brushes against these sensory hairs, it triggers a reaction and they seize the insect.
The majority of pseudoscorpions have poison glands in their pincer-like claws which they use to paralyze prey, while they inject saliva into the victim then feeds on the liquid contents. Pseudoscorpions produce silk from glands on their mouthparts and use the silk to spin cocoons in which they overwinter and deposit molted exoskeletons. They also use silk to make sacs that protect their eggs.
When they mate, they usually first engage in a complex courtship dance and after the female is fertilized, she carries her eggs in a sac attached to her abdomen. Once the young is hatched, they remain on their mother obtaining nourishment for a short time before moving away on their own.
RED HOUSE SPIDER
The red house spider is a tropical arachnid, also known as the red-legged house spider and is often mistaken for the dangerous redback spider. However, the bite of the red house spider is not dangerous and symptoms typically are no more severe than localized pain.
The red house spiders are rusty red and are about the size of a dime. Their bodies are spotted, with females bearing a red, vertical band as well as an hourglass-like shape along the underside of the abdomen.
They are often found in dark, undisturbed, indoor spaces and may be found spinning their tangled webs under eaves, in doorframes and along the corners of baseboards.
HAIR DRYER TO THE RESCUE
Pseudoscorpions prefer damp areas and that is where you most likely will find them. Drying out these areas with a hair dryer or dehumidifier should do the trick.
RED SPIDER
Usually found on plants that have poor air circulation and suffer from malnutrition or lack adequate water. Spray the plant with a mild soapy water solution to get rid of the spiders, then feed and water the plant well.
RED SPIDER MITE
General Information:
These adult and nymph spiders will suck the juices from your plants and turn the leaves yellow, silver or even speckled.
They lay their eggs on the plants and are closely
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