Yellow (Golden) Sac Spiders

(Cheiracanthium inclusum)

Yellowish in color. They are difficult to distinguish from one another, and species identification requires examination by an arachnologist.

Relatively small, approximately 0.28 of an inch.

Sac spiders derive their name from the sac of silk they produce daily for resting. Indoors, these small, white, paper-like sacs are often found along ceilings and corners, or behind pictures and shelves.

After mating, females lay 30-48 eggs, cover them in a thin, white silken sac and guard them. The egg sacs may be found in protected areas, or even wrapped in a folded leaf. All stages of sac spiders make a silken cell (the "sac"), in which they rest when not active. Indoor populations of C. mildei are non-seasonal and can be adult at any time.

Usually found in foliage, but some species are found inside houses and around other human developments. The Yellow Sac spider builds a sac-like silken tube in foliage or under bark or stones as their lair.

Brown recluse spiders are often blamed for sac spider bites! Bites by yellow sac spiders generally produce instant, intense stinging pain, not unlike that of the sting of a wasp or hornet. This may be followed by localized redness, swelling and itching; these manifestations may or may not evolve into a necrotic lesion, but when that occurs healing is usually complete within eight weeks. They are very prone to bite defensively (more so than any other significantly venomous U.S. spider), and some bites in humans have occurred in unusual places, such as in automobiles and swimming pools.

Sac spiders are very active, nocturnal "hunt and seek" spiders. They emerge from their day resting sacs to run along walls and ceilings in pursuit of prey. If startled, they drop down on draglines and scurry away!

Do you live in Florida and think that this spider may be invading your home? Hulett Environmental Services offers specialty pest control treatments designed to control and eliminate this pest!