Spider Facts & Information
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Spiders in the house can be unsettling. Although some species are harmless and even help keep the insect population of your home in check, some can cause real harm if they bite.
Curious about which spiders might appear in your home, or what you can do to prevent them? Let’s explore some common spider species, how to recognize their webs and hiding spots, and how to keep them from becoming a problem.
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Spider Identification
Spiders share a few obvious features: eight legs, two main body parts (the cephalothorax and abdomen), and spinnerets at the tip of the abdomen that produce silk for webs or egg sacs. Most also have eight eyes (though some have fewer), fang-like mouthparts, and a unique “hydrostatic skeleton” that uses internal fluid pressure to move.
Common Spider Types in the United States
Here are a few of the most common spider types you might find around the house:
- Common House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum): Often yellowish-brown with a rounded abdomen ranging from dirty white to nearly black. They build messy, tangled webs in corners and other quiet places. Common house spiders are not considered dangerous.
- Wolf Spider (Lycosidae): Large, brown or gray spiders known for their strong legs and three rows of eyes. They’re active hunters rather than web-builders, sometimes spotted roaming indoors. Wolf spiders can bite if handled, but they only cause mild irritation.
- Jumping Spider (Salticidae): Small to medium size, with striking coloration and excellent eyesight. These spiders actively hunt and may be seen leaping after prey—or just exploring your windowsills.
- Black Widow (Latrodectus): Shiny black body with a telltale red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. Their venom can cause muscle aches and other symptoms, but serious complications are rare for most adults.
- Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa): Light brown with a violin-shaped marking on the top of the cephalothorax. Found mostly in the southern and midwestern U.S, brown recluse bites can lead to tissue damage, so it’s wise to be cautious if you spot one.
- Orb-weaver (Araneidae): Brightly colored abdomen, often round, with long legs. Known for creating large, circular “orb” webs in gardens or near outdoor lighting. Harmless to humans.
What Attracts Spiders to Your Home?
Spiders typically wander indoors looking for food, water, and sometimes just a safe, cozy place to build a web or lay eggs. They’re drawn to homes with insects, leaky pipes, and cluttered corners in darker areas. Lights that attract flying insects can also bring spider prey closer to windows and doorways.
Signs of Spiders in Your Home
It’s pretty obvious if you see a spider scurrying across the floor, but there are other hints as well. Webs are a surefire sign, along with egg sacs tucked into corners or behind furniture. If you’re noticing more spiders than usual, it could mean they’ve established a steady food source or find your home’s environment perfect for their living needs.
What Problems Can Spiders Cause?
Most spiders can do a fair amount of good in your home, snacking on pests like flies, mosquitoes, and other nuisance insects. However, many people feel uneasy around them, and certain species—like the black widow or brown recluse—have dangerous bites. Spider webs can also become an eyesore, collecting loose dust and making your home look and feel less tidy. While most bites are rare and typically not severe, it’s always wise to be cautious with a spider you can’t easily identify.
How to Prevent Spiders from Entering Your Home
A clean, well-sealed home is your best defense against unwanted eight-legged visitors. Regularly vacuum corners and under furniture to suck up webs, egg sacs, and even the insects that spiders feed on. Sealing cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and foundations can help keep spiders out, while reducing clutter makes it harder for them to hide.
Turning off outdoor lights at night or switching to yellow bulb “bug lights” can also discourage flying insects from hanging out near your doors, which will keep away the spiders that feed on them.
Let Hawx Handle Your Spider Problem
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, spiders just keep showing up—including the dangerous ones. Hawx Pest Control can get your spider problems under control. Our trained local professionals understand spider habits, habitats, and the most effective ways to keep them out of your home. From targeted treatments to ongoing prevention strategies, we’ll address the root cause of your spider troubles and also help you maintain a spider-free living space.
Contact Hawx Pest Control today for a detailed inspection and customized treatment plan, so you can relax in a home that’s comfortable and free from eight-legged intruders.
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