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I work in a small shop about 25 miles south of Kansas City. I have seen a stocky, black spider there several times. It is a fairly small, around 1/2 inch or so and has three bright green spots on the top of its abdomen, arranged in a way that they looked like two small eyes and a mouth. What is it?
Another brownish or cream colored spider common around here resembles a recluse, but its legs, in proportion to its body are thicker. It is about two inches wide and has multi-colored spots on its abdomen. What is it?
It is impossible to make a definitive identification without the actual specimen, or a picture of it, but I'll give you a guess. If you want a definite ID send a specimen to the Plant Diagnostic Clinic. There is a $15 fee. Instructions for submitting samples and a form are available on the Web.
The first spider you described sounds like a jumping spider. They are in the spider family Salticidae. They are stout-bodied, fairly common, and often have contrasting markings on their abdomen.
The second spider you described sounds like a wolf spider. They are in the spider family Lycosidae. One of the genera is large. They typically have stout legs and are noticeably hairy.
Richard Houseman
Assistant Professor of Entomology
State Urban Entomology Extension Specialist
I grow many different vegetables and fruit trees in my backyard. Every year around August and September there are lots of 1/4 to 1/2 inch black flying insects that bite. The bites are extremely painful, causing my skin to turn red, flare and sometimes bleed. I wear clothing that covers my arms and legs and spray myself with a bug spray with DEET, yet I can't seem to avoid these insect bites. Can you tell me what these insects are? Can you recommend an insecticide that I can spray the yard with to eradicate them?
I can't tell you for certain what the insect is without a specimen. I can give an educated guess. The description sounds like a horsefly or deerfly. They belong to the insect family Tabanidae and typically develop in moist soils. Spraying the yard is not recommended. Wearing light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, accompanied by repellents such as DEET is recommended and is the best thing you can do. They may continue to pester even when these precautions are taken, but if you can reduce or eliminate their biting, the irritation is minor and temporary.
Richard Houseman
Assistant Professor of Entomology
State Urban Entomology Extension Specialist
I work for a carpet store.
Recently I installed a nylon-pile carpet. Its backing is woven polypropylene, which is adhered to the face of the carpet with a latex adhesive and with a filler of either limestone dust or marble dust. This adhesive is applied at 350 degrees Farenheit. The carpet is rolled onto a cardboard tube and then wrapped in plastic before it is shipped. After the installation firebrats appeared. Did the carpet bring them in? How can I discover the source? I inspected the remaining carpet from the roll, but didn't see any damage
Based on your explanation of the carpet, materials, and shipping practices, I would say it is an unlikely source. It would be more likely that the firebrats or silverfish were already in the home and were just disturbed and displaced from their hiding places during the process of removing the old carpet and installing the new.
Richard Houseman
Assistant Professor of Entomology
State Urban Entomology Extension Specialist
Is it possible for an individual to excrete some kind of pheromone or other chemical that attracts brown recluse spiders?
I have never read or been told of any pheromone that attracts brown recluse spiders to people. They actively seek shelter in clutter, whether indoors or outdoors. If you would like to know how to manage their populations around your home, read G7386, Spiders.
Richard Houseman
Assistant Professor of Entomology
State Urban Entomology Extension Specialist
I am having a problem with small, brown ants. They live next to the house under a mum plant. Any ideas on how to attack the queen?
Based on the nest location in the soil, I would drench the nest with a liquid insecticide labeled for ants. Drenching is done by soaking the nest with the liquid at a rate of one quart of liquid per each 3 inches of mound diameter.
Richard Houseman
Assistant Professor of Entomology
State Urban Entomology Extension Specialist
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Updated 5/16/06