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"

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

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.

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.

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.

simple solution
 

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

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.

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.

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

Those things bite? Seriously???

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?

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.

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? :look:

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. :D Lawyers step forth...:) NB

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

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!!!

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

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

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

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

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. :D