Harvestmen / Daddy Longlegs in Salina
Daddy longlegs, also called harvestmen, are often confused with spiders, but they are not true spiders. They do not have silk glands, cannot spin webs, and are known for their extremely long, thin legs and compact oval bodies. Daddy longlegs can be considered a nuisance around structures where they congregate by the dozens, but they are not harmful to humans, animals, buildings, or crops.
Harvestmen / Daddy Longlegs Habitat
Harvestmen need humid places to live and are most often found in forests and caves, climbing on rocks and vegetation. During warm months, harvestmen are extremely common on the shady sides of buildings, underneath eaves, in crawl spaces, and on trees, in both rural and urban environments. It is rare for harvestmen to be found in homes, and because they are nocturnal, they can be difficult to detect. In the fall, harvestmen will gather in large groups or swarms on the sides of buildings, moving simultaneously, resembling a wiggling mass, which can be disturbing for predators or homeowners.
Harvestmen Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Harvestmen are beneficial predators in the garden because they eat aphids, spiders, and other garden pests. Harvestmen do not bite or produce venom and pose no danger to humans. However, if harvestmen feel threatened or are disturbed, they will emit a strange-smelling odor that repels potential predators.
If you are dealing with excess daddy longlegs spiders on your property, contact your local spider exterminators for help.
