Dock Spiders

Rattletrap · 03-18-2016, 08:10 AM

I know this might be crazy but is this a big problem for a pontoon boat? My wife is deathly afraid of them and I wonder if its something you have deal with a lot ? And what does everyone do to control it? We just got our first slip this year and never knew this was a "thing"

SIKSUKR · 03-18-2016, 08:25 AM

There are some older threads on this subject.
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...t=dock+spiders
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...t=dock+spiders

chaseisland · 03-18-2016, 08:25 AM

Never seen them on the boat, but they are around the dock. In my typical wise guy response, I use a .357. Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Barney Bear · 03-18-2016, 08:43 AM

In our 63 years of boating at Lake Winnipesaukee, we have never had dock spiders hitching a ride. However, granddaddy long-legs and a few smaller spiders come aboard, Nothing to worry about.

meredith weekender · 03-18-2016, 09:20 AM

Unfortunately, we have a huge dock spider problem and they can become HUGE. If we miss a weekend of cleaning them the problem gets worse and yes they do get on our boats as well. The only thing that really seems to help is constant removal of webs and killing of spiders.

Steveo · 03-18-2016, 09:59 AM

Just get yourself a couple of water snakes and they will solve the problem.

ITD · 03-18-2016, 12:04 PM

It sucks when they bite you, the penalty for them is death when they do that to me. The only way to get rid of them is to move to the north pole.

Rich · 03-18-2016, 01:08 PM

Plenty of other threads to read.

The worst things about spiders is the spider droppings on the boat. I never knew such a small insect could crap so much!

noreast · 03-18-2016, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

Plenty of other threads to read.

The worst things about spiders is the spider droppings on the boat. I never knew such a small insect could crap so much!

Well the worst thing about them is the 8 hairy legs, but the poop is no prize either. To the op, your wife will probably want to move far away when one sneaks up really close to her.

Merrymeeting · 03-18-2016, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITD

It sucks when they bite you, the penalty for them is death when they do that to me. The only way to get rid of them is to move to the north pole.

All my life on the lake with these things and I never knew they could bite. Glad it hasn't happened to me (yet)

mishelmeis · 03-18-2016, 04:19 PM

Those things bite? Seriously???

Descant · 03-18-2016, 05:04 PM

I have three docks I use routinely for the last several decades. Marina, camp and an association. Can't remember the last time I saw a dock spider. What makes an attractive habitat? Do they avoid pressure treated and prefer old docks?

ITD · 03-18-2016, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

All my life on the lake with these things and I never knew they could bite. Glad it hasn't happened to me (yet)

It usually happens when I grab a line or am removing the boat cover and accidentally grab one. Feels like getting jabbed with a needle, never been any worse than that for me.

NoBozo · 03-18-2016, 06:16 PM

SO: Let's say you have a pet..maybe a little Ankle Biter dog with sharp teeth..and he bites one of your guests..they can probably sue you for damages..Yes?

If you have a HUGE Dock Spider..Are YOU responsible if someone gets bit by this beast...???? After all...it IS on your property...No?? Just wondering.

Lawyers step forth...

NB

Dock Spiders:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-sp...fishing_spider

Greene's Basin Girl · 03-19-2016, 10:02 AM

We always have spider webs on our pontoon boat. We clean them before we go out in the boat. We will get small spiders in the boat, but I haven't seen any dock spiders. I have had them on my Seadoo and in other smaller boats. One of my best friend's has been on the lake her entire life and she is terrified of dock spiders. I detest them also!!!

Newbiesaukee · 03-19-2016, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

I have three docks I use routinely for the last several decades. Marina, camp and an association. Can't remember the last time I saw a dock spider. What makes an attractive habitat? Do they avoid pressure treated and prefer old docks?

I have an aluminum dock with pressure treated wood inserts....and dock spiders.

Misty Blue · 03-19-2016, 11:05 AM

Not sure, but we have had dock spiders ever since I can remember. We have always called them "Woodies". They used to be creepy but now they seem to be more interesting. I have never heard of anyone being attacked by one.

I also have never seen a web where they hang out. I am told that they don't catch bugs in a web but go fishing for bugs in the water around the dock.

Kind of interesting.

Misty Blue

Island Girl · 03-19-2016, 11:51 AM

We have them... once I knew they were unlikely to bite I just decided to live with them. Sometimes I hose them away or brush away webs. We are not innundated with them.

There is a nice article about them at http://www.cottagetips.com/tips/fact...-dock-spiders/

Don't get alarmed a the article with a scary title, but read it for a picture of the babies.

IG

noreast · 03-19-2016, 12:23 PM

I wouldn't mind being bitten, since I would die of a heart attack the second it touched my skin.

persistence · 03-22-2016, 12:10 PM

ours are awful at my club on the mystic river. i keep a portable vac charging on board now. some are so big they don't 'suck'. and optimal sucking time is at night with a flashlight. they live in my fender covers eng room vents etc. i find it amazing how fast they swim back to the boat. brushing them off doesn't cut it.

03-18-2016, 08:10 AM	#1
Rattletrap Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Sandown/Gilford Posts: 189 Thanks: 80 Thanked 67 Times in 26 Posts	Dock Spiders I know this might be crazy but is this a big problem for a pontoon boat? My wife is deathly afraid of them and I wonder if its something you have deal with a lot ? And what does everyone do to control it? We just got our first slip this year and never knew this was a "thing" __________________ Captain of the "Day Tripper II" .......There are a lot better people a lot worse off!!

03-18-2016, 08:25 AM	#2
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	There are some older threads on this subject. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...t=dock+spiders http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...t=dock+spiders __________________ SIKSUKR

03-18-2016, 08:43 AM	#4
Barney Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 962 Thanks: 495 Thanked 273 Times in 174 Posts	Spidermania In our 63 years of boating at Lake Winnipesaukee, we have never had dock spiders hitching a ride. However, granddaddy long-legs and a few smaller spiders come aboard, Nothing to worry about.

03-18-2016, 09:59 AM	#6
Steveo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 523 Thanks: 47 Thanked 123 Times in 63 Posts	simple solution Just get yourself a couple of water snakes and they will solve the problem.

03-18-2016, 01:08 PM	#8
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,219 Thanks: 68 Thanked 341 Times in 231 Posts	Plenty of other threads to read. The worst things about spiders is the spider droppings on the boat. I never knew such a small insect could crap so much! __________________ Don't listen to me, obviously I don't understand what I'm talking about! Let's help each other save time and money: WinniGas.com

The Following User Says Thank You to SIKSUKR For This Useful Post:
Rattletrap (03-18-2016)

03-18-2016, 08:25 AM	#3
chaseisland Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Concord, NH Posts: 152 Thanks: 17 Thanked 66 Times in 42 Posts	Never seen them on the boat, but they are around the dock. In my typical wise guy response, I use a .357. Sorry, couldn't help myself.

The Following User Says Thank You to Barney Bear For This Useful Post:
Rattletrap (03-18-2016)

03-18-2016, 09:20 AM	#5
meredith weekender Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Meredith / Manchester Posts: 373 Thanks: 87 Thanked 83 Times in 56 Posts	Unfortunately, we have a huge dock spider problem and they can become HUGE. If we miss a weekend of cleaning them the problem gets worse and yes they do get on our boats as well. The only thing that really seems to help is constant removal of webs and killing of spiders.

The Following User Says Thank You to meredith weekender For This Useful Post:
ApS (03-18-2016)

03-18-2016, 12:04 PM	#7
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,860 Thanks: 461 Thanked 666 Times in 366 Posts	It sucks when they bite you, the penalty for them is death when they do that to me. The only way to get rid of them is to move to the north pole.

03-18-2016, 04:19 PM	#11
mishelmeis Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: rattlesnake island Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Those things bite? Seriously??? __________________ MiShel

03-18-2016, 05:04 PM	#12
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,029 Thanks: 1,208 Thanked 1,509 Times in 982 Posts	What attracts them? I have three docks I use routinely for the last several decades. Marina, camp and an association. Can't remember the last time I saw a dock spider. What makes an attractive habitat? Do they avoid pressure treated and prefer old docks?

03-18-2016, 06:16 PM	#14
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	SO: Let's say you have a pet..maybe a little Ankle Biter dog with sharp teeth..and he bites one of your guests..they can probably sue you for damages..Yes? If you have a HUGE Dock Spider..Are YOU responsible if someone gets bit by this beast...???? After all...it IS on your property...No?? Just wondering. Lawyers step forth... NB Dock Spiders: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-sp...fishing_spider

03-19-2016, 10:02 AM	#15
Greene's Basin Girl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 1,515 Thanks: 394 Thanked 527 Times in 269 Posts	We always have spider webs on our pontoon boat. We clean them before we go out in the boat. We will get small spiders in the boat, but I haven't seen any dock spiders. I have had them on my Seadoo and in other smaller boats. One of my best friend's has been on the lake her entire life and she is terrified of dock spiders. I detest them also!!!

03-19-2016, 11:05 AM	#17
Misty Blue Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 658 Thanks: 121 Thanked 283 Times in 98 Posts	Weave a web? Not sure, but we have had dock spiders ever since I can remember. We have always called them "Woodies". They used to be creepy but now they seem to be more interesting. I have never heard of anyone being attacked by one. I also have never seen a web where they hang out. I am told that they don't catch bugs in a web but go fishing for bugs in the water around the dock. Kind of interesting. Misty Blue

03-19-2016, 11:51 AM	#18
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,352 Thanks: 18 Thanked 535 Times in 179 Posts	All about dock spiders We have them... once I knew they were unlikely to bite I just decided to live with them. Sometimes I hose them away or brush away webs. We are not innundated with them. There is a nice article about them at http://www.cottagetips.com/tips/fact...-dock-spiders/ Don't get alarmed a the article with a scary title, but read it for a picture of the babies. IG __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

The Following User Says Thank You to Island Girl For This Useful Post:
Dad sold the C * C (03-19-2016)

03-19-2016, 12:23 PM	#19
noreast Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 648 Thanks: 316 Thanked 120 Times in 93 Posts	I wouldn't mind being bitten, since I would die of a heart attack the second it touched my skin.

03-22-2016, 12:10 PM	#20
persistence Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 109 Thanks: 6 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts	ours are awful at my club on the mystic river. i keep a portable vac charging on board now. some are so big they don't 'suck'. and optimal sucking time is at night with a flashlight. they live in my fender covers eng room vents etc. i find it amazing how fast they swim back to the boat. brushing them off doesn't cut it.

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