Jumping Spiders

Can Jumping Spiders Hurt You?

In some cases, jumping spiders will bite in defense, but their bite is not poisonous. As such, jumping spiders are not considered a large danger to humans, especially given that these spiders are more likely to run away from people than attack them. Jumping spiders do possess fangs and produce venom, but the venom is not a medical threat.

Where Do Jumping Spiders Live?

Jumping spider retreats may be built under furniture, in drapery folds, between books on bookshelves, in cracks found in wood floors, around door and window molding, etc. Outside retreats may be found under loose bark, between leaves, etc. Indoors, spiders will usually be found hunting around windows and doors because more insects are attracted to these areas and their vision is best in sunlit areas. Outdoors, jumping spiders are commonly seen running over tree bark, under stones and boards, on bushes, fences, decks and the outside of buildings, especially sunny areas.

Jumping spiders are unlikely to infest a home, as they prefer outdoor environments with plentiful vegetation and sunlight, such as grassland and prairies. In these locations, they feast on bollworms, cotton leaf worms, webworms, cotton flea hoppers, stinkbugs, leafhoppers and mosquitoes. On occasion, jumping spiders might gain entry indoors via clothing or plants that are brought inside.

Jumping Spider Habits

Unlike most spiders, jumping spiders are active during the daytime and prefer sunshine. They are excellent hunters, due to their jumping ability and swift reflexes. Jumping spiders can rapidly move both sideways and backwards for short distances, and pounce on passing prey. When threatened, jumping spiders may jump 20 times their body length. They employ silk as a dragline when they jump, and the dragline acts as a safety line.

In general, jumping spiders have the best vision of any spider species, being able to detect and react to movement up to 18" (45 cm) in distance. However, their night vision is very poor.

Jumping spiders do not construct snare webs but do build web retreats, which are loosely woven, saclike and composed of several envelopes. These retreats are used for molting, hibernation, nighttime seclusion and laying eggs. The egg sacs are typically lens-shaped and suspended like a hammock from the retreat’s wall. Oftentimes, jumping spiders will build a new retreat for each activity – under furniture, in drapery folds, between books, in cracks of wood floors, around doors and window moldings, etc. Outside, jumping spider retreats are found under loose bark and between leaves.

In the New England States, zebra, black and other colored jumping spiders mate in May, and eggs are laid in June and July. Each egg sac contains 15-25 white eggs. It’s thought that the older spiderlings overwinter in a retreat and become adults in spring. Adult male jumping spiders are found in April through July, and females are spotted from mid-May to late October, usually around windows and doors because there are more insects attracted to these areas. They are also commonly seen in sunlight areas while running over tree bark, under stones, on bushes, and along fences and decks.