Woodworm and spiders - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 08:22, 10 May 2022

2022-05-10T08:22:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:22, 10 May 2022
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	* Death watch beetle.		* Death watch beetle.
	* Dry rot fungus.		* Dry rot fungus.
		+	* Insects.
	* Insecticides Market.		* Insecticides Market.
	* Mould growth in buildings.		* Mould growth in buildings.

Designing Buildings at 08:04, 10 May 2022

2022-05-10T08:04:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:04, 10 May 2022
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−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

		+	* Common furniture beetle.
		+	* Death watch beetle.
	* Dry rot fungus.		* Dry rot fungus.
	* Insecticides Market.		* Insecticides Market.

Designing Buildings at 08:39, 6 November 2020

2020-11-06T08:39:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:39, 6 November 2020
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−	~~= Find out more =~~	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
−		+
−	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===	+

	* Dry rot fungus.		* Dry rot fungus.
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	* Woodworm.		* Woodworm.

−		+	[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]
−		+
−	[[Category:~~Research_/_Innovation~~]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]	+

Designing Buildings at 15:28, 5 February 2017

2017-02-05T15:28:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:28, 5 February 2017
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−
	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

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	= Background =		= Background =

−	The five year trial followed informal observations of ''Pholcus Phalangioides'' devouring a variety of prey during repairs to a property. The property had been comprehensively treated in 2005 with permethrin in a standard commercial water-based product applied as a spray.	+	The five year trial followed informal observations of Pholcus Phalangioides devouring a variety of prey during repairs to a property. The property had been comprehensively treated in 2005 with permethrin in a standard commercial water-based product applied as a spray.

−	[[File:~~Spider survey~~..JPG\|~~227x139px~~\|~~alt~~=~~Spider survey~~..JPG]]	+	[[File:Spider_survey..JPG\|210px\|link=File:Spider_survey..JPG]]

−	All signs of life were eradicated, or so it seemed at the start of the project, but the following year it was clear that the woodworm (''Anobium punctatum'') had survived with plenty of fresh dust from beetles emerging in large numbers during the spring. After spraying there was also a conspicuous absence of any spiders with the exception of one or two Pholcus.	+	All signs of life were eradicated, or so it seemed at the start of the project, but the following year it was clear that the woodworm (Anobium punctatum) had survived with plenty of fresh dust from beetles emerging in large numbers during the spring. After spraying there was also a conspicuous absence of any spiders with the exception of one or two Pholcus.

	= Pholcus phalangioides =		= Pholcus phalangioides =
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	This species of spider misleadingly shares the common name “Daddy Long Legs” with the crane fly and the harvestman, neither of which are actually true spiders. There is a slightly better vernacular name; “Cellar Spider”, but Pholcus is by no means restricted to cellar-living, being happy to live under furniture, in cupboards or most conspicuously in top corners of living spaces where they like to hang in a characteristic upside-down position.		This species of spider misleadingly shares the common name “Daddy Long Legs” with the crane fly and the harvestman, neither of which are actually true spiders. There is a slightly better vernacular name; “Cellar Spider”, but Pholcus is by no means restricted to cellar-living, being happy to live under furniture, in cupboards or most conspicuously in top corners of living spaces where they like to hang in a characteristic upside-down position.

−	[[File:~~Pholcus phalangioides female with eggs~~.jpg\|~~231x151px~~\|~~alt~~=~~Pholcus phalangioides female with eggs~~.jpg]]	+	[[File:Pholcus_phalangioides_female_with_eggs.jpg\|227px\|link=File:Pholcus_phalangioides_female_with_eggs.jpg]]

	It is believed that these spiders are not native to Northern Europe where they are generally restricted to living indoors. They dislike cold draughts and rapid temperature fluctuations preferring average temperatures to be in the region of 8-10 degrees centigrade. In the UK they are more common in southern counties but are happy to prosper further north wherever conditions are suitable.		It is believed that these spiders are not native to Northern Europe where they are generally restricted to living indoors. They dislike cold draughts and rapid temperature fluctuations preferring average temperatures to be in the region of 8-10 degrees centigrade. In the UK they are more common in southern counties but are happy to prosper further north wherever conditions are suitable.
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	Despite their tantalisingly slow and graceful movements, these spiders are actually very efficient venomous carnivores, but fortunately harmless to humans as their fangs are too small to penetrate our skin. They have relatively small bodies with a female body length of about 9 mm and males slightly smaller. However, the legs are about 5 or 6 times the length of the body (reaching up to 7 cm in mature females). Their effective hunting method can even be used against other species of spiders including the large house spiders (Tenegaria) which can be up to ten times their weight.		Despite their tantalisingly slow and graceful movements, these spiders are actually very efficient venomous carnivores, but fortunately harmless to humans as their fangs are too small to penetrate our skin. They have relatively small bodies with a female body length of about 9 mm and males slightly smaller. However, the legs are about 5 or 6 times the length of the body (reaching up to 7 cm in mature females). Their effective hunting method can even be used against other species of spiders including the large house spiders (Tenegaria) which can be up to ten times their weight.

−	Another popular name for ''Pholcus'' is the “vibrating” spider as they seem to oscillate when startled. The vibrating also forms part of their mating rituals after which the males usually die. Males rarely live for more than a year, but females can live for three years and usually have a considerable number of suitors.	+	Another popular name for Pholcus is the “vibrating” spider as they seem to oscillate when startled. The vibrating also forms part of their mating rituals after which the males usually die. Males rarely live for more than a year, but females can live for three years and usually have a considerable number of suitors.

	= How populations become established =		= How populations become established =

−	~~'''~~[[File:~~Pholcus phalangioides with Juveniles~~.jpg\|~~251x172px~~\|~~alt~~=~~Pholcus phalangioides with Juveniles~~.jpg]]~~'''~~	+	[[File:Pholcus_phalangioides_with_Juveniles.jpg\|222px\|link=File:Pholcus_phalangioides_with_Juveniles.jpg]]

−	A population of these spiders can grow very rapidly depending on the abundance of potential prey. The availability of a good food supply stimulates egg production and mating which can take place at any time of year. The female initially holds as many as 30 eggs in a silk net between her ''chelicerae'' (jaws) and when hatched the young, transparent spiderlings share her web. Their growth depends on the availability of food and if it is in short supply, the mother will re-ingest the young. Sometimes spiderlings eat each other, with the slightly smaller males being particularly vulnerable. The young will start making foraging trips and will eventually establish new territory away from the mother. The spider population is therefore self-regulating and will decline when food becomes scarce.	+	A population of these spiders can grow very rapidly depending on the abundance of potential prey. The availability of a good food supply stimulates egg production and mating which can take place at any time of year. The female initially holds as many as 30 eggs in a silk net between her chelicerae (jaws) and when hatched the young, transparent spiderlings share her web. Their growth depends on the availability of food and if it is in short supply, the mother will re-ingest the young. Sometimes spiderlings eat each other, with the slightly smaller males being particularly vulnerable. The young will start making foraging trips and will eventually establish new territory away from the mother. The spider population is therefore self-regulating and will decline when food becomes scarce.

	= The study =		= The study =
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	At the property, four unoccupied rooms were monitored over a five year period. In 2006 the main prey of the small population of Pholcus was the large number of emerging woodworm beetles that had been untouched by the chemical treatment of 2005. In response to this abundant food source, the few spiders generated huge numbers of spiderlings that survived into adulthood with an estimated 75 adults in the spring of 2007.		At the property, four unoccupied rooms were monitored over a five year period. In 2006 the main prey of the small population of Pholcus was the large number of emerging woodworm beetles that had been untouched by the chemical treatment of 2005. In response to this abundant food source, the few spiders generated huge numbers of spiderlings that survived into adulthood with an estimated 75 adults in the spring of 2007.

−	The life cycle of the ''Anobium punctatum'' can involve a long spell in the wood as the larvae derive energy for pupation before emerging as adult beetles. A healthy population of hungry spiders at the time of beetles leaving the timber is crucial to form a significant break in the ''Anobium punctatum'' life-cycle; ideally before the mature beetles mate and lay eggs.	+	The life cycle of the Anobium punctatum can involve a long spell in the wood as the larvae derive energy for pupation before emerging as adult beetles. A healthy population of hungry spiders at the time of beetles leaving the timber is crucial to form a significant break in the Anobium punctatum life-cycle; ideally before the mature beetles mate and lay eggs.

	The estimated 75 adults in the spring of 2007 completely decimated the woodworm population with approximately 400 examples of beetles caught and wrapped in silk bundles. The subsequent decline in woodworm during 2008 and 2009 confirmed that they were being eaten if not before mating, certainly before they were laying their eggs.		The estimated 75 adults in the spring of 2007 completely decimated the woodworm population with approximately 400 examples of beetles caught and wrapped in silk bundles. The subsequent decline in woodworm during 2008 and 2009 confirmed that they were being eaten if not before mating, certainly before they were laying their eggs.
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	More formal studies would be able to confirm the effectiveness of introducing small numbers of juvenile spiders into buildings with woodworm infestation. There may also be scope for designing “nesting places” to protect spiders from day-to-day cleaning. These “nests” could be provided by pest control companies as a “green” alternative to chemical methods.		More formal studies would be able to confirm the effectiveness of introducing small numbers of juvenile spiders into buildings with woodworm infestation. There may also be scope for designing “nesting places” to protect spiders from day-to-day cleaning. These “nests” could be provided by pest control companies as a “green” alternative to chemical methods.

−	There may be some perception-related obstacles that would need to be overcome as spiders are often wrongly associated with untidy or even unclean domestic environments. It is a myth that they like dirty or dusty places and ''Pholcus phalangioides'' will create a new web if the old one gets too dusty.	+	There may be some perception-related obstacles that would need to be overcome as spiders are often wrongly associated with untidy or even unclean domestic environments. It is a myth that they like dirty or dusty places and Pholcus phalangioides will create a new web if the old one gets too dusty.

	Arachnophobia is another potential disadvantage for spiders as bio-predators, but their slow, graceful movements are actually not as threatening as the rapid movements of the “big hairy ones” …..and they may even help remove the latter.		Arachnophobia is another potential disadvantage for spiders as bio-predators, but their slow, graceful movements are actually not as threatening as the rapid movements of the “big hairy ones” …..and they may even help remove the latter.

−	On a globally significant note, there may be potential for ''Pholcus Phalangioides ''to tackle malaria especially if a nest can be designed to accommodate both spiders and resting mosquitoes.	+	On a globally significant note, there may be potential for Pholcus Phalangioides to tackle malaria especially if a nest can be designed to accommodate both spiders and resting mosquitoes.
		+
		+	-----
		+	This article was written by [[User:Chascox78\|Charles Hippisley-Cox]] and was runner up in our 2013 CIOB-backed open article competition.
		+
		+	-----
		+	= Find out more =
		+
		+	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===

−	~~----~~	+	* Dry rot fungus.
		+	* Insecticides Market.
		+	* Mould growth in buildings.
		+	* Recognising wood rot and insect damage in buildings.
		+	* Timber preservation.
		+	* Timber.
		+	* Woodworm.

−	~~This article was written by [[User%3AChascox78\|Charles Hippisley-Cox]] and was runner up in our 2013 CIOB-backed open article competition.~~

−	~~----~~

−	[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]	+	[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]
−	[[Category:Sustainability]]	+
−	[[Category:Construction_techniques]]	+

Designing Buildings at 07:12, 30 July 2014

2014-07-30T07:12:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:12, 30 July 2014
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	[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]		[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]
−	~~[[Category:Other_legislation]]~~
	[[Category:Sustainability]]		[[Category:Sustainability]]
	[[Category:Construction_techniques]]		[[Category:Construction_techniques]]

Designing Buildings at 06:40, 21 July 2014

2014-07-21T06:40:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:40, 21 July 2014
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	[[Category:Sustainability]]		[[Category:Sustainability]]
	[[Category:Construction_techniques]]		[[Category:Construction_techniques]]
−	~~[[Category:Property_development]]~~
−	~~[[Category:Public_procedures]]~~

Designing Buildings at 15:14, 8 July 2014

2014-07-08T15:14:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:14, 8 July 2014
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−	[[Category:~~Construction_techniques]]~~	+	[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]
−	~~[[Category:Sustainability~~]]	+
	[[Category:Other_legislation]]		[[Category:Other_legislation]]
−	[[Category:~~Public_procedures~~]]	+	[[Category:Sustainability]]
		+	[[Category:Construction_techniques]]
	[[Category:Property_development]]		[[Category:Property_development]]
		+	[[Category:Public_procedures]]

Designing Buildings at 07:22, 20 June 2014

2014-06-20T07:22:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:22, 20 June 2014
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	[[Category:Construction_techniques]]		[[Category:Construction_techniques]]
−	~~[[Category:History]]~~
	[[Category:Sustainability]]		[[Category:Sustainability]]
	[[Category:Other_legislation]]		[[Category:Other_legislation]]
	[[Category:Public_procedures]]		[[Category:Public_procedures]]
	[[Category:Property_development]]		[[Category:Property_development]]

Designing Buildings at 07:32, 27 August 2013

2013-08-27T07:32:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:32, 27 August 2013
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	----		----

−	This article was written by [[User~~:Chascox78~~\|Charles Hippisley-Cox]] and was runner up in our 2013 CIOB-backed open article competition.	+	This article was written by [[User%3AChascox78\|Charles Hippisley-Cox]] and was runner up in our 2013 CIOB-backed open article competition.

	----		----

−	~~[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]]~~
	[[Category:Construction_techniques]]		[[Category:Construction_techniques]]
	[[Category:History]]		[[Category:History]]

Designing Buildings: moved Woodworm and Spiders to Woodworm and spiders

2013-08-24T08:23:04Z

moved Woodworm and Spiders to Woodworm and spiders

← Older revision

Revision as of 08:23, 24 August 2013