Spider Identification Guide
Spiders-General
There are over 35,000 described species of spiders worldwide, with about 3,000 occurring in North America. Many species of spiders are household pests. Wherever their food is available, spiders are likely to be found. All spiders are predators, feeding mainly on insects and other small arthropods.
Pest Facts: Black Widow Spiders
Description
Black widow spiders are most recognized for the red hourglass shape on the back. Contrary to legend, female black widow spiders rarely devour the male black widow spider after mating.
Pest Facts:
Color: Black, with characteristic red “hourglass” on back
Legs: Eight
Shape: Round
Size: 3/4 inches length; 3/8 inches in diameter
Antennae: No
Flying: No
Region: All 50
Habits: Black widow spiders spin their webs near ground level. They often build their webs in protected areas, such as in boxes and in firewood.
Habitat: Black widow spiders are often found around wood piles and gain entry into a structure when firewood is carried into a building. They are also found under eaves, in boxes, and in other areas where they are undisturbed.
Threats: The venom of a black widow spider is a neurotoxin and is used as a defense. Black widow spiders do not bite humans instinctively. The black widow spider bite can cause severe pain. Young children and the elderly are especially susceptible to a severe reaction to a black widow spider bite.
Prevention: Avoid black widow spider bites by wearing heavy gloves when moving items that have been stored for a long period of time. Spiders often hide in shoes, so check shoes and shake them out before wearing them. When spider webs are visible, use caution before putting your hands or feet in that area.
Pest Facts: Brown Recluse Spiders
Description
Brown recluse spiders have a characteristic dark brown violin marking on their back.
Pest Facts:
Color: Light to dark brown, with characteristic dark brown violin marking on back
Legs: Eight
Shape: Round
Size: 5/8″
Antennae: No
Flying: No
Region: TX, LA, AR, OK, MO, KS, NE, IA, MO, IL, IN, OH, KY, TN, MS, AL, GA
Habits: Brown recluse spiders are nocturnal and eat other bugs like cockroaches and crickets. Male brown recluse spiders wander farther than females and will crawl into shoes or other clothing.
Habitat: Brown recluse spiders often live outdoors in debris and woodpiles. They can be found indoors in storage areas and dark recesses.
Threats: Like the black widow spider, the brown recluse spider bites in defense and does not bite humans instinctively. They will bite humans when the clothing they are hiding in is worn. The brown recluse spider bite is painful and can produce an open, ulcerating sore.
Prevention: To avoid brown recluse spiders, avoid keeping clothing on the floor. Store clothing and shoes inside plastic containers, and shake out all clothing that has been in a hamper before wearing or washing.
Pest Facts: Wolf Spiders
Description
Wolf spiders are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly in solitude, hunt alone, and do not spin webs.
Pest Facts:
Color: Light to dark brown
Legs: Eight
Shape: Round
Size: 0.24-1.2 In
Antennae: No
Flying: No
Region: All 50 States
Habits: Wolf spiders actively hunt during the night and usually rest in sheltered places during the day. They are fast on their feet and pursue prey. Because of these habits, wolf spiders are commonly seen by people.
Habitat: Wolf spiders may enter structures in search of prey. Although they are not inclined to be permanent residents in structures, they often stay once inside. Indoors, wolf spiders tend to remain at or near floor level, especially along walls and under furniture. Outside, wolf spiders can be found under stones, landscape timbers, firewood, leaves, and other debris.
Threats: Because wolf spiders feed on a variety of insects, including crop pests, they can be beneficial. Wolf spiders can bite, but it’s extremely rare to experience a wolf spider bite unprovoked. They will only bite if they are handled. The presence of wolf spiders in homes is usually accidental.
Prevention: To get rid of wolf spiders, seal cracks on the outside of the home, and use screens on doors and windows. Pest management professionals will often place glue traps where the wolf spiders have been seen in order to remove them from the home.