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Spiders Found in Texas
Do you keep finding webs at several places in your home and are getting a little frustrated about it? Yes, you do have a spider problem! Spiders are arachnids and belong to the same family with ticks and scorpions though they only have two body segments. They don’t have antennae or wings, but they have eight legs.
In Texas, the most common spiders are: wolf spiders, American house spiders, black widow spiders, brown recluse spiders, and jumping spiders. Each spider is different from the next either because of color or other characteristics.
i) Wolf Spiders: Wolf spiders are typically brown, gray or tan, large, with stocky bodies and spiny legs that are usually covered in hair. They have eight eyes that are placed in three rows: with two medium-sized eyes on the top row, two large eyes in the middle row, and four small eyes on the bottom row. These particular spiders do not construct webs. Instead, they hunt (like wolves), creating burrows in the ground where they lie in wait for prey.
ii) American House Spiders: This is the most common spider in Texas, with an elongated body. The American house spider’s color pattern and size can vary greatly but they are typically yellowish-brown with unique dark chevron markings. This particular spider builds webs in corners of rooms and then at the edge of their web waiting for prey to become trapped.
iii) Black Widow Spiders: This spider is very venomous and is known for the red “hourglass” figure on their backs. In color, the Black Widow spider is shiny black and may also have lighter red or white spots on the abdomen and back. Black widow spiders have a comb foot (a row of strong, curved bristles on their hind pair of legs) which they use to cover their prey in silk. They do not build nice looking webs, but have messy looking webs located near ground level. The good thing is that they hardly bite, unless out of fear.
iv) Brown Recluse Spiders: The brown recluse is venomous, brown in color, and easily identified by violin-shaped marking on the top of its body. This spider has three pairs of eyes arranged in a semi-circle. Like the Black Widow, the brown recluse spider builds irregular shaped, loose webs in potentially undisturbed areas. They only bite when they smell danger.
v) Jumping Spiders: Jumping spiders are black, tan, brown, or gray in color, with pale or white markings on their bodies and legs. With stout bodies, their front legs are thicker and a bit longer than their other legs and covered with brightly colored or iridescent dense hairs or scales. Like the wolf spider, jumping spiders do not spin webs but hunt for their prey.
Are Spiders Dangerous?
Generally, spiders mind their own business, but a bite from venomous spiders can be dangerous. For instance, a brown recluse spider bite would result in small blisters and swelling around the bite. You may also experience fever, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping. Brown recluse spider bites may heal slowly and could be prone to infection.
A bite from the Black Widow spider bears venom strong enough to compromise the nervous system of the bitten person. You could experience vomiting, fever, difficulty breathing, and stomach cramps.
In event you suffer any spider bites from these two, seek medical attention so that your symptoms can be managed immediately.
Where Will I Find Spiders?
If you a conducive environment in or around your home, spiders will definitely visit and stay. Spiders follow food, so you will likely have them in the attics, basements, closets, storage areas, and crawl spaces especially in the eaves and corners where bugs or other insects are likely to crawl past.
Preventing Spider Infestation
The best way to ensure you don’t have to get rid of spiders is to ensure they don’t settle in in the first place. here are a few ways to see this through:
- Seal all cracks, crevices, gaps, and openings on exterior of the structure to keep spiders out.
- Cut shrubs and bushes back away from touching the exterior of your house/ home. If possible, locate your gardens away from your home.
- Place weather-stripping around doors especially those lading outside to keep the spiders from crawling in.
- Remove piles of debris from your compound as these create habitats for spiders.
- Check to confirm that your window and door screens are intact at all times.
How Do I Get Rid of Spiders?
The best way to rid your house or compound of spiders is to destroy their usual habitats. The next best way which is more effective is of course to engage pest control experts like Domain Pest Control who can eliminate the spiders efficiently. In case you would like for us to help, call us to get a quote and work with us towards a pest free home.