What Kind of Spiders Are Common in Texas Homes?
Texas is home to a surprising number of spiders — over 900 different species, in fact! It’s no wonder so many Texans find spiders in their homes and yards.
While the vast majority of these spiders are harmless, a few venomous species do live in Texas. But don’t worry! We’re focusing on the most common house spiders in Texas, how to identify them, and what to expect from their behavior.
This guide will help you identify the common house spiders you’re likely to encounter in Texas, plus give you some tips on how to prevent them from moving in and what to do if they’ve already made themselves at home.
Identifying Venomous Spiders in Texas
While most spiders you’ll find in your Texas home are harmless, it’s good to know which ones can hurt you. Here’s how to identify some of the venomous spiders in Texas.
Black Widow Spiders
These spiders are easy to spot because of their shiny black bodies and the red hourglass shape on their undersides.
Black widows like dark, quiet spots, so you’re most likely to find them in woodpiles, sheds, and garages.
Black widow venom is highly toxic. In fact, it’s said to be 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake’s venom. If you think you’ve been bitten by a black widow, get medical help right away.
Brown Widow Spiders
Brown widows are brown and have a similar hourglass shape on their undersides, but the hourglass is usually orange or yellow.
Like black widows, brown widows prefer quiet places, but they can tolerate drier conditions.
They’re not as venomous as black widows, but their bites can still be painful, so it’s important to keep an eye on the bite and seek treatment if you have concerning symptoms.
Brown Recluse Spiders
These spiders are brown and have a violin-shaped mark on their cephalothorax, which is the body part where the legs attach.
Like the widows, brown recluse spiders like dark, undisturbed areas. You’re likely to find them in closets, attics, and under furniture.
Brown recluse spiders have venom that can cause tissue damage. If you think you may have been bitten by a brown recluse, seek medical attention.
Common Non-Venomous House Spiders
Not all spiders are cause for alarm. Here are a few common non-venomous spiders you might find sharing your Texas home:
American House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)
These spiders are generally a mottled brown color, with a bulbous abdomen.
They like to build messy, irregular webs in corners, around windows, and in other sheltered spots.
American house spiders are timid and not aggressive. They’re unlikely to bite, and if they do, the bite is usually harmless.
Cellar Spiders (Pholcidae)
Cellar spiders are pale yellow or light brown, and they’re known for their very long, thin legs. (Some people call them “daddy long-legs,” although technically, those are Opiliones, which are arachnids but not spiders.)
Cellar spiders prefer dark, damp places like cellars, basements, and crawl spaces, where they build loose, tangled webs.
These spiders are mostly harmless to humans.
Southern House Spider (Kukulcania hibernalis)
These spiders are dark brown. The males are often mistaken for wolf spiders because of their size and coloring.
Southern house spiders build flat, silken webs on walls and under rocks.
They’re not aggressive, and their bite is of little concern to humans.
Hacklemesh Weaver (Amaurobiidae)
Hacklemesh weavers are medium-sized, and they range from dark brown to black.
They build distinctive cribellate webs that have a fuzzy texture.
These spiders are not aggressive, and their bite is of little concern to humans.
Other Common Spiders Encountered in Texas Homes
Besides the ones we’ve already mentioned, here are a few more spiders you might spot from time to time in your Texas home.
Jumping Spiders (Salticidae)
- Physical appearance: Jumping spiders are small and compact, with great eyesight and an amazing talent for jumping.
- Habitat and behavior: These spiders are active hunters and are often out and about during the day. You might spot them on walls, plants, or other surfaces. There are over 5,000 different kinds of jumping spiders!
- Bite and danger: The good news is that jumping spiders are generally harmless to people.
Wolf Spiders (Lycosidae)
- Physical appearance: Wolf spiders are big and hairy, and they’re excellent at blending in with their surroundings.
- Habitat and behavior: These ground-dwelling hunters don’t build webs. You’ll often find them in gardens, and sometimes they wander into homes.
- Bite and danger: If they feel threatened, wolf spiders can bite, but their venom isn’t considered dangerous to humans.
Crab Spiders (Thomisidae)
- Physical appearance: With their sideways movements and the way they position their legs, crab spiders really do look like crabs.
- Habitat and behavior: You’ll often find crab spiders in flowers and foliage, where they lie in wait to grab their prey. There are over 2,100 kinds of crab spiders all over the world.
- Bite and danger: Crab spiders are generally harmless to humans.
Giant spiders in Texas: size and behavior
Texas is home to some pretty big spiders, but don’t worry, they’re generally more interested in bugs than people. Here are a few of the giants you might encounter:
Texas brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi)
- What they look like: Big and hairy, these guys can grow up to four inches long.
- Where they live and what they do: They live on the ground, often in burrows. They’re pretty chill spiders.
- Are they dangerous?: Their bite can hurt, but it’s not considered deadly to people.
Fishing spiders (Dolomedes)
- What they look like: These are also big spiders, with some species growing to about three inches.
- Where they live and what they do: As their name suggests, they live near water and eat water bugs and even small fish.
- Are they dangerous?: They rarely bite, and their bites aren’t considered dangerous.
Pantropical huntsman spider (Heteropoda venatoria)
- What they look like: These are large, flat spiders that can get up to five inches wide.
- Where they live and what they do: They like warm weather and often wander into houses looking for something to eat.
- Are they dangerous?: They’re not aggressive, and their bite isn’t much of a threat to humans.
How to keep spiders out of your Texas home
Nobody wants spiders crawling around their house. Here’s how to make your home less inviting to common Texas house spiders:
- Seal up cracks. Go around the outside of your home and fill any cracks you see in the foundation, walls, and around pipes. Replace torn window screens and door sweeps.
- Keep things tidy. Spiders love clutter and dust. Sweep, vacuum, and dust regularly to get rid of webs and potential food sources. The less clutter, the fewer places spiders have to hide.
- Manage your yard. Keep your lawn mowed and trim bushes away from the house. Don’t stack firewood or other debris right next to the foundation.
- Try natural spider repellents. Spiders don’t like certain smells. Some people swear by peppermint, tea tree oil, lavender, or cinnamon. You can make essential oil sprays or put little bags of dried herbs in places where spiders like to hang out.
- Call a professional. If you have a serious spider problem that you can’t handle on your own, it might be time to call a pest control company. They can identify the type of spider you’re dealing with and use treatments to get rid of them.
Summary
Texas homes are often shared with a variety of spiders, from the relatively harmless cellar spider to the more concerning brown recluse. It’s important to be able to tell the difference between the venomous and non-venomous species, as this knowledge can reduce anxiety and help you avoid bites.
Proper identification is key, and taking steps to prevent spiders from entering your home in the first place is even better. Seal cracks, clear away webs, and reduce clutter to make your home less inviting to these eight-legged residents.
While it’s natural to feel uneasy about spiders, remember that they play a crucial role in our ecosystem by controlling insect populations. A balanced approach—respecting their place in nature while taking reasonable steps to manage their presence in your home—is the best way to coexist with these fascinating creatures.