From Fear to Sustainability:
Eco-Friendly Management of Urban Spiders
Arachnophobia—the fear of spiders—drives the indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum pesticides in urban areas. This project addresses the need for sustainable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for these „psychological pests“ by developing eco-friendly, chemical-based solutions that reduce environmental and health risks.
Our research is twofold. First, we aim to identify the sex pheromones of key synanthropic species, including the infamous „Nosferatu“ spider (Zoropsis spinimana) and the noble false widow (Steatoda nobilis). Decoding their chemical communication will enable the development of species-specific baits and monitoring tools. Second, we are systematically testing a range of botanicidals for their deterrent properties against common house spiders like Parasteatoda tepidariorum, Steatoda grossa, and Pholcus phalangioides to find effective, general-use repellents.
We combine behavioral ecology with modern analytical chemistry to create IPM tools.
We invite motivated students (BSc, MSc) to participate in this applied research, contributing to healthier and more sustainable urban ecosystems.
Animal Metabolomics & Ecology 