Crab spider

Crab spiders are easily identified by their crab-like appearance, with longer front legs than back legs, which they use to grab prey. They come in various colors, often matching the flowers or foliage they inhabit, and can move sideways like crabs. They are typically small to medium in size, ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.

Crab spiders don't typically infest homes in large numbers, so signs of their presence are usually limited to individual spiders seen indoors or outdoors. You might find them on flowers in your garden or occasionally inside your Myrtle Beach home, typically near windows or plants. Their presence indicates a healthy ecosystem, as they are beneficial predators.

Because crab spiders are beneficial predators and pose no threat, MBPC doesn't typically treat for them. We recommend simply relocating them outside if found indoors. If you have excessive numbers of spiders that you believe are crab spiders, contact MBPC for proper identification and targeted treatment if necessary, ensuring compliance with SC Department of Pesticide Regulation guidelines.

Since crab spiders are beneficial, complete prevention is not recommended. However, sealing cracks and crevices in your Myrtle Beach home can reduce their entry. Keeping vegetation trimmed away from the house can also limit their access, as can removing webs and egg sacs when found.

Crab spiders are commonly found in gardens, meadows, and woodlands throughout the Grand Strand. They prefer areas with flowers and vegetation where they can ambush prey. In Myrtle Beach, they thrive in the humid subtropical climate, often found near homes in landscaping, flower beds, and even on the sides of houses where insects gather.

Peak activity: Spring-Fall