Good Spiders Can Go Bad: Daddy Long-Legs
Some common "spider relatives" we often see near doors, windows, or the edges of flower beds are harvestmen (the Arachnid Order: Opiliones), often called Daddy Long-legs, which have a box-like body and very long legs. These are mainly predaceous on insects, spiders, or other small arthropods; but a few may feed on organic debris or even on the juices of certain plants. There is a persistent old myth which states that these (Harvestmen) are the most poisonous of all "spiders," but that their fangs are too short to bite people. Fortunately this is not true.
Harvestmen actually eat with chelicerae, which are "pincers-like" mouthparts they use to pick up small particles of food, or to tear their food into smaller fragments (or maybe even squeeze nutritive juice out of 'tough' food or pieces of their prey). None of them even have functional "fangs," like those which spiders use to inject venom (and pre-digestive juices) into prey. Spiders later suck the partially digested fluid nutrients back out of their prey through these same fangs. Spiders' "fangs" are really modified chelicerae, with only the former "movable" digit remaining, and the former "fixed" digit either lost completely or reduced to little more than a seta.
Even though they are generally 'good' predators, and are not a health threat, Harvestmen can still be numerous and be a big nuisance. Excluding them from getting inside the house is the best preventive measure. Chemical barrier treatments or spot treatments may give localized temporary relief.
If you are having a problem with Daddy Long-legs at or in your house, contact us so we can evaluate your situation and implement an efficient strategy to eliminate these pests and help prevent their return.