What Small Spiders Eat
WouterWhen you hear about small spiders, you probably wonder what they eat. The answer can depend on the species. Spiders are opportunistic feeders that eat everything from mosquitoes to dead bugs. Some species are even parasitic and feed on other spiders’ webs.
Aside from feeding on insects, spiders can also swallow a lot of water. They can suck up water from morning dew or vegetation. This helps them maintain a moist body.
Spiders also eat insects that aren’t the most common. For example, spiders eat centipedes. Although spiders don’t have teeth to chew food, they inject digestive enzymes into their prey.
Spiders eat hundreds of millions of tons of insects annually. The average spider can survive weeks without food. If there is not a lot of prey, they may go a few days between meals.
Some of the most popular insects for a spider are aphids and mites. Spiders also eat silk.
To help digest the silk, spiders use special enzymes. They also secrete digestive juices inside their prey.
Although there are many different kinds of insects that can be a meal for a spider, it is unlikely that you’ll find a spider that likes to drink dripping tap water. Nevertheless, you might find a house spider.
While you might not see them very often, spiders have a lot to offer your home. They are good for keeping your ecosystem balanced. Many also like to live in your house. You can help them out by removing food scraps and other clutter. Make sure you regularly sweep your floors to pick up any food particles.
