Spiders Could Eat Every Human

As human beings, we have a pretty cushy spot at the top of the food chain. We are the main predator on Earth nowadays, and most creatures acquiesce to our dominance. That doesn't mean, however, that we are not sometimes in danger from other fierce predators. For example, lions have been known to treat us as prey on those rare occasions when we venture into their wild domain unprotected. A hungry bear, if you are unfortunate enough to come across one, might just size you up as a snack. Shark attacks have been occurring at such ever-increasing numbers lately that Jaws' classic horror movie is beginning to look like a non-fiction documentary.

One thing we humans have going for us that keeps us at the very top of that list of predators is intelligence. We are typically smart enough to avoid dangerous situations and not put ourselves in harm's way. We don't stroll through lion country, roam around untamed forests, or intentionally cavort in shark-infested waters without taking precautions to protect ourselves. Indeed, many of us prefer to limit our adventuring to the sanctity of our own homes and business dwellings most of the time. But just how secure are we in our own homes? What if a predator was living inside your home that you should be concerned about? What if there is something clever, malevolent, and hungry lurking in a dark corner at this very moment, a creature that could potentially kill you and might even want to? If that sounds like the promotional teaser for the latest scary Halloween movie, it could be, but it's not. It's a frightening reality. The truth is, there is a creature living in your home right now that may very well pose a serious threat. In fact, there are several—perhaps hundreds or even thousands of them—spiders.

A recent entomological survey has proven conclusively that there are many spiders living in practically every home in the United States. Furthermore, there are massive numbers of them, to the point where we might need to reconsider our position on the top of that food chain. Scientists have done the math, and their conclusions are shocking: Spiders collectively consume at least 400 million tons of meat every year. That is as much as, if not more than, what we humans eat each year. And here's some more unsettling math for you: If you were to weigh all the humans on the planet, it would be about 360 million tons. Yes, that's right. Technically, spiders could eat all the human beings on the earth in just one year.

Okay, okay, we know what you're thinking. Ridiculous, right? We aren't on their menu. Spiders don't eat humans, and they don't want us dead. But are we really sure about that? Let's talk about what we've heard about spiders. The current science tells us that most spiders are not aggressive towards humans and will not attack us unless frightened or provoked. Yes, they are attracted to our homes, and we are quite likely cohabitating with a number of different species at any given time. Yes, their bites are toxic, and some are even deadly. Yes, they are smart. And yes, they are predators as well as carnivores. But are we much too big to be considered prey? Most likely, they are stalking that pesky fly camped out as their potential dinner, not you. But what if the science is wrong, even just a little bit? It certainly wouldn't be the first time. Indeed, human history is pockmarked with horrific scientific blunders and misunderstandings, some trivial, some not. At one time, we believed that tomatoes were poisonous, and deadly mercury was an excellent medicine. So, spiders then. Could we be getting it wrong? Let's take a look at some recent news that suggests we might just want to reconsider what we think we know about arachnids.

An entire town in India was attacked by vast swarms of hairy, tarantula-like spiders. Two people died. More and more people are reporting seemingly unprovoked attacks by spiders. A Bristol family was even run out of their home after being overrun by deadly Hobo Spiders. Global warming and tropical storms are causing spiders to behave more aggressively and unpredictably. Furthermore, scientists have discovered that climate change is causing spiders to grow bigger overall and breed more prolifically, resulting in a disturbingly rapid increase in spider populations.

None of that is good news for homeowners in the United States. We have several potentially dangerous spiders right here, many of which are frequently discovered in our homes or yards, including (but not limited to) the Brown Recluse, Black Widow, the Hobo, the Wolf Spider, the Orb Weaver, and the Cellar Spider. The Cellar Spider, also called Daddy Long Legs, is a pervasive presence in our homes and one we've all seen many times. It was once thought to be one of the deadliest spiders, but recent studies indicate that their toxicity is more dangerous to other insects than humans. Also, their fangs are not long enough to puncture our skin. Yet.

If you have spiders in or around your home and you don't want them there, we here at Enviro-Tech Pest Services don't call that arachnophobia; we call that common sense. We are firm believers in not taking chances. There's simply no smart reason to put yourself or your family at risk. Give us a call today and let us take care of the problem.