Daddy-longlegs are known by many names: shepherd’s spider, reaper, granddaddy-longs or harvestmen. (Provided photo — Diane Chase)

It’s not even October and my front porch is fully decorated for Halloween. It’s not just the overwhelming amount of spider webs, it’s the daddy-longlegs lurking on the walls. There was a brief moment in time when each one would scurry away when humans approached. No longer. We are outnumbered.

I’m not an arachnologist, but I can grasp the concept that all creatures hold a place in nature. Apparently, that place is my front porch. Daddy-longlegs, granddaddy-longlegs, shepherd’s spider, reapers or the Eastern harvestmen (Leiobunum vittatum) are different names for the same eight-legged creepy crawler. Eastern harvestmen are not spiders, but are part of the arachnida order and related to spiders. There are distinct differences between spiders and daddy longlegs.

Spiders have two distinct body parts, use their secondary legs to spin webs, and secrete venom. Daddy-longlegs can’t spin webs, have one fused body, and lack venom and fangs to subdue prey. It is a myth that daddy-longlegs are poisonous. Those long legs not only allow it to capture small insects, but also to escape predators. Daddy-longlegs can even shed an outer leg — self-amputate — as a last resort effort to survive, though the leg will never grow back. Unlike spiders, which inject venom into their prey, daddy-longlegs use their secondary legs as antennae to sense vibrations to capture and hold their quarry.

Since they don’t have fangs or venom like spiders, daddy-longlegs will rip apart their food. Picture that when you send your child to get candy from me on Halloween. Who needs to buy scary decorations when nature so willingly provides them for me?

These leggy scavengers are actually beneficial omnivores, not only eating soft-bodied insects but also fungi, plant material and carrion. Though you may only see one of them at a time, daddy-longlegs can form clusters or aggregations into the hundreds. Yuck.

I’m sure we all have our one doomsday friend who walks onto your porch and sees the “end of days.” I prefer to look at my leggy harvestmen as soldiers protecting our house from invaders. Go forth Eastern harvestmen. Eat those pesky bugs!