Spiders

JUMPING SPIDER

Jumping Spider

Jumping Spider

There are about 300 species of jumping spider in the United States and Canada. Jumping spiders are active during the day. They have poor night vision. They do not construct webs to snare prey but build web retreats. They can detect and react to movement up to 18″ away. They are excellent jumpers and can move rapidly sideways and backwards. Jumping spiders can bite, but they are not poisonous and are not considered dangerous.

JUMPING SPIDERS SALTICIDAE

Pest Stats

Color:
Usually black, sometimes brown, tan, or gray, and usually with pale markings.
Legs
8
Shape
Compact with relatively short legs
Size:
1/8 – 3/4“
Region:
Found throughout U.S.
Region:
All 50


HOBO SPIDER

Hobo Spider

Hobo Spider

The hobo spider was introduced from Europe in the 1930’s. It gets the name due to catching rides with humans along highways. They build funnel webs with openings at both ends. They can be found in any habitat with holes, crack and crevices. The hobo spider will bite in defense. The bite of the hobo spider is thought to only cause mild pain and redness. Males are known to bite more frequently than females.

HOBO SPIDERS TEGENARIA AGRESTIS (WALCKENAER)

Pest Stats

Color:
Light to medium brown with dark stripe down center to either side of lighter midline stripes; legs solid light brown with no bands
Legs
8
Shape
Oblong abdomen with longer posterior spinnerets visible from above
Size:
1/2” (11-14 mm)
Region:
Common in the northwestern U.S.; appears to be expanding its range


CELLAR SPIDER

Cellar Spider

Cellar Spider

The cellar spider is commonly called daddy-long legs. They have very long and thin legs. There are about 20 species of cellar spiders in the United Sates and Canada. They guild nests in corners and hang upside down or on the underside. They do not clean the web, but continually add new webs, causing extensive webbing. Cellar spiders do not pose a threat to humans due to the weak mouth parts keeping them from injecting venom into humans.

LONG-BODIED CELLAR SPIDERS PHOLCUS PHALANGIOIDES

Pest Stats

Color:
Pale yellow to light brown or gray.
Legs
8
Shape
Long skinny legs with a small body
Size:
¼-3/8” (6-9mm)
Region:
Found throughout U.S.
States:
All 50


BROWN RECLUSE

Brown Recluse Spider

Brown Recluse Spider

The brown recluse spider has dark brown violin marking on the back.They are nocturnal and eat other smaller bugs. They spin irregular webs and are used as a retreat, not to catch prey. They usually live outdoors. When found indoors they can be found inside boxes, papers, under furniture, utility boxes, crevices of window moldings, closets, crawl spaces, and attics. Although they can be found in other areas, these are some of the most common areas. They bite in defense. Both the male and female inject venom. The bite is usually not felt, but will result in severe pain six to eight hours later. The bite usually develops a blister and can turn into an open ulcer.

BROWN RECLUSE SPIDERS LOXOSCELES RECLUSA

Pest Stats

Color:
Light to dark brown, with characteristic dark brown violin marking on back
Legs
8
Shape
Round
Size:
¼ – ½ inch long
Region:
Found in the south central Midwest from Ohio to Nebraska and south through Texas to Georgia
States:
Texas


BLACK WIDOW SPIDER

Black Widow Spider

Black Widow Spider

Black widow spiders are recognized by the red hourglass shape under their abdomen. When the temperature is 70 degrees or higher, they become active. They build irregular webs near ground level and hang upside down. When these spiders come indoors, they like crawl spaces, cluttered areas of garages, and basements. Females are known to be aggressive and bite in defense. Males rarely bite. Symptoms of a black widow bite include increases blood pressure, fever, nausea and sweating.

BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS LACTRODECTUS MACTANS

Pest Stats

Color:
Black, with characteristic red “hourglass” on back
Legs
8
Shape
Round
Size:
1 ½ – 1 3/8 inches long
Region:
Found throughout U.S.
States:
All


HOUSE SPIDER

House Domestic Spider

House Domestic Spider

The house spider is the most frequently seen spider indoors. This spider will randomly select a web location and if it does not catch prey, it will abandon the web and see a new site. The house spider does not pose a threat to humans.

COMMON HOUSE SPIDERS ACHAEARANEA TEPIDARIORUM

Pest Stats

Color:
Yellowish brown, abdomen dirty white with several dark stripes meeting at angle
Legs
8
Shape
Elongated abdomen
Size:
3/16 – 5/16“ (female) 1/8 – 3/16” (male)
Region:
Found throughout U.S
States:
Found throughout U.S


WOLF SPIDER

Wolf Spider

Wolf Spider

These spiders are big and hairy, which alarms people. They do not use webs to hunt prey, but will chase prey by running after it. There are over 100 species of wolf spiders found in the United States and Canada. Wolf spiders are fast and typically hunt at night. Once indoors, they will usually remain at floor level. Wolf spiders can bite but it is rare to to get bit by one if unprovoked.

WOLF SPIDERS LYCOSA

Pest Stats

Color:
Usually dark brown, often with paler (or sometimes yellow) stripes or markings
Legs
8
Shape
Stout-robust body with long, spiny legs
Size:
3/8 – 1 3/8“ (female) 1/4 – 3/4“ (male)
Region:
Found throughout U.S.
States:
All 50