Common Questions about Spider Pest Control

Did you know there are almost 1,100 species of spiders in Texas? Most are not dangerous but a few like the Brown Recluse and the Black Widow are venomous and a danger to humans. It’s important to be able to identify common spiders in Texas to protect yourself and your family.  And it’s helpful to understand how to help control these spiders from becoming pests in your home.

Spiders are arachnids which are animals with eight legs and two body regions: the cephalothorax and the abdomen. Spiders have 6 to 8 eyes and are varied sizes and colorings. Male spiders are smaller than females.

Let’s look at 5 common types of spiders found in Texas:

House Spiders

We’ve all seen the common house spider. It’s a small brown spider with white and dark patches and lines. House spiders are not aggressive and are harmless. However, if provoked, they will bite but the bite is not toxic.

House spiders build their webs in the corners of your floor, ceiling, and windows. They may even swing across the room from light fixtures and fans.

While house spiders may be a nuisance, they are beneficial. They act as natural pest control eating other insects. Flies, mosquitos, earwigs, and moths all fall prey to the house spider’s web.

Wolf Spiders  

Wolf spiders are another common spider found in or around Texas homes. They are large spiders and may appear scary looking but do not pose a threat to people. Although they are not poisonous, it is possible to be allergic to a wolf spider’s venom.

Wolf spiders like to hide in wooded areas, beneath rocks, and in and around shrubbery. They prefer warm climates and dark, cozy places. They also look for areas where they can easily find food.

Wolf spiders are nocturnal, coming out at night to seek prey.

Jumping Spiders

There are over 100 species of jumping spiders in Texas. The most common is the bold jumping spider. These spiders have fangs and produce venom but are not poisonous.

Jumping spiders do not seek shelter indoors. However, they often end up in your house after hitching a ride on packages, plants, and people. Once inside, you can find them hiding under furniture, in cracks and crevices, and behind windows and doors.

Brown Recluse

Image credit: Texas A&M

A brown recluse is very venomous. And it’s one of the most feared spiders in the United States. If you see one, you definitely don’t want to pick it up. A bite from a recluse spider is serious. Requiring immediate medical attention. In fact anti-venom is necessary to combat the toxins.

Recluse spiders prefer undisturbed, isolated habitats. You can find them outdoors in hot, dry climates like Boerne and the rest of the Texas Hill Country. They can also be found  indoors hiding in unsuspecting places like shoes, closets, and garages.

Brown recluses are medium-sized spiders no more than ¾ inch in length. They have 6 eyes and a dark brown violin shape on their back.

Black Widow

The black widow is another venomous spider found both indoors and outdoors throughout the state. Black widows can grow as large as ½ inch in body size. With the legs extended, it can be as much as 1 ½ inches.

The distinguishing feature of a black widow is the red, hourglass shape on the underside of their belly.

Be careful! A bite from a black widow is dangerous. The venom affects your nervous system causing painful swelling at the bite site, muscle spasms, and nausea. In rare cases, the poison may lead to seizures and even death.

If you experience a black widow bite, seek medical attention right away! Elderly and young children especially are more susceptible to serious reactions.