Texas is home to a huge variety of spiders — over 900 species, in fact! Many of these spiders find their way into Texas homes, which can be alarming.
The good news is that most house spiders in Texas are harmless. However, a few can pose a threat, making identification and caution essential.
This article will give you an overview of some common house spiders in Texas, focusing on how to identify them, whether they’re dangerous, how to prevent them from entering your home, and when to call a professional.
Common House Spiders in Texas: Identification and Habits
So, you’ve seen a spider in your Texas home. What kind is it? Here’s a quick guide to some of the spiders you’re most likely to encounter:
American House Spider
- What they look like: These are small to medium-sized spiders, usually brownish or yellowish, with mottled markings. You’ll often see them in webs in the corners of rooms, garages, and sheds.
- Where they live: American house spiders like undisturbed indoor areas, where they build tangled webs to trap insects.
- Are they dangerous? Nope. They’re generally harmless to humans.
Wolf Spider
- What they look like: Wolf spiders are large, hairy, and usually brown or gray. They’re known for their good eyesight and hunting skills.
- Where they live: You’ll usually find wolf spiders outdoors, but they sometimes wander inside looking for food or shelter. They like grassy areas and are often found near the ground.
- Are they dangerous? A wolf spider bite can be painful, but they’re generally not considered dangerous.
Jumping Spider
- What they look like: Jumping spiders are small, stout spiders with amazing jumping abilities and distinctive eye patterns. They’re often brightly colored or patterned.
- Where they live: You can find jumping spiders both indoors and outdoors, often on walls, ceilings, and plants.
- Are they dangerous? Jumping spiders are generally harmless, although they might bite if they feel threatened.
Venomous spiders in Texas: black widow and brown recluse
While most Texas spiders are harmless, there are a few venomous species you should be able to identify: the black widow and the brown recluse.
Black widow spider
Black widow spiders are shiny and black and have a red hourglass shape on the underside of their bellies. Females are larger and more dangerous than males.
Black widows like dark, sheltered spots, such as woodpiles, sheds, and garages.
Black widow venom is potent and can cause severe muscle pain, cramping, nausea, and difficulty breathing. The venom of a black widow is said to be 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake.
If you think you’ve been bitten by a black widow, get medical attention right away.
Brown recluse spider
Brown recluse spiders are brown and have a violin-shaped marking on their back, near the head. They have six eyes, arranged in pairs.
These spiders prefer dark, quiet places like closets, attics, and underneath furniture.
A bite from a brown recluse can cause tissue damage and necrosis (death of tissue). If you think you’ve been bitten by a brown recluse, get medical attention right away, as the bites can cause severe reactions.
Biggest Spiders in Texas: Tarantulas and More
Okay, if you’re still reading, you’re either very brave or very curious! Let’s talk about some of the big spiders you might encounter in Texas.
Texas Brown Tarantula
These guys are hard to miss. They’re large, hairy, and usually brown. They can get up to four inches long! You’ll often find them chilling in burrows in dry, open areas.
Are they dangerous? A bite from one of these will hurt, but it’s not usually lethal to humans.
Huntsman Spider
Huntsman spiders are big and flat, with long legs that can span up to five inches! They like to hang out under rocks and bark outside, but they’re not shy about coming indoors either.
Are they dangerous? Nope! They’re not considered dangerous to humans, although their bite can be painful.
How to keep spiders out of your Texas home
Spiders are a fact of life in Texas, but there are some things you can do to keep them from moving into your house:
- Seal entry points: Check around windows, doors, and pipes for cracks and holes. Pay special attention to places where cables and wires enter your house from outside.
- Maintain your yard: Keep your grass mowed, and trim back any bushes or trees that touch your house. Clear away piles of leaves, wood, or other debris.
- Reduce clutter: Spiders love to hide in cluttered areas. Get rid of piles of clothes, newspapers, and cardboard boxes. Use plastic storage bins with lids instead.
- Manage lighting: Turn off outdoor lights at night, or switch to yellow “bug lights.” Outdoor lights attract insects, which in turn attract spiders.
- Regular Cleaning: Sweep and vacuum regularly to remove spider webs, egg sacs, and the insects spiders eat.
Conclusion
While you can try to manage spiders on your own, a professional pest control service is often the best way to eliminate an infestation. Experts can identify the type of spider you’re dealing with, find their nesting places, and use the right treatments to get rid of them.
If you think you’ve been bitten by a venomous spider, seek medical help right away, and if you can safely do so, try to identify the spider for the doctor.
By learning about common spider species in Texas, taking steps to prevent them from entering your home, and knowing when to call a professional, you can successfully manage the spider population in and around your house.