You just noticed that a spider has made its home in the corner of the porch. What do you do? Scream? Cry? Try to determine if its deadly or not? Attempt to kill it? Stomp it? Burn down the house?
Stop right there!
There is no need for such violence. I’m here to tell you why you shouldn’t kill a spider that’s made itself a home around your living quarters. Believe it or not, spiders are actually really cool and helpful. These eight-legged arachnids eat harmful insects, are environmentally conscientious — and are hopeless romantics.
Nom on Insects
We can all agree that mosquitoes and ticks are straight out of Pandora’s box, but spiders honestly aren’t so bad. They actually eat mosquitoes and pest insects In fact, spiders eat more bugs than birds do. By eating so many bad bugs, arachnids help prevent the spread of disease. Think about it: that mosquito that just flew into your room while you were vulnerably asleep? He just got chomped by a spider, and now you don’t have West Nile Virus.
“You’re welcome,” says the spider.
On top of the pests they eat in your home, spiders are also guardians of the garden. They eat a bunch of insects that would otherwise destroy crops. Spiders are super helpful like that.
Environmentally Conscience
Spiders are also good for the environment. For instance, some spiders eat and reuse their webs. Now that’s recycling at its finest. Also, spiders help pollinate pants. Additionally, they are able to recycle dead animal and plants back into the earth, which enriches the soil with nutrients.These eight-legged buddies pretty much keep gardens alive and therefore help make sure we have enough food to go around. Spiders are pretty great.
Hopeless Romantics
What most people probably don’t know is that spiders are totally hopeless romantics. Some male spiders give dead flies and other web-wrapped insects to females as presents. Certain spider species do dance serenades to impress the ladies. Now, I’m sure most people have heard that the females eat the males after mating, and that is true. What you might not realize is that the males literally force themselves into the female’s mandible to make her eat him. If she refuses, he just keeps trying until he’s consumed. It’s like the ultimate way to be a with her forever! Not to mention he’ll be the first form of nutrients for their newly conceived offspring. Seriously, spiders are hopeless romantics, and that’s just super cute.
Spiders have long been vilified and feared, but they really shouldn’t be. I mean, spiders aren’t interested in human blood, and like most animals, they rarely attack humans unless they’re scared, trapped or intimidated. Not to mention they help the environment and are basically guardians to our gardens and even to us. Also, they are kind of adorable, what with their dancing and gift-giving practices. So the next time you see an eight-legged arachnid chilling in a corner, remember all the good it does and just let it be. Help the Earth and yourself; don’t kill that spider.
