There are currently more than 40,000 different spiders that exist worldwide. Commonly misclassified as insects, spiders are predatory arachnids, a category that also contains scorpions, mites, and ticks. They have eight legs, two body segments, fangs (chelicerae), and many use pedipalps to generate silky webs for trapping their prey, which commonly includes other spiders, insects, small invertebrates, and more.
Spiders have varying strengths of venom that they use to subdue their prey and may pose human health risks. Spiders in the exterior areas of a home often move into sheds, garages, and other areas of that property that provide some form of shelter.
Some of the most common types of spiders that enter homes in the Houston region include:
- House spiders: The house spider has a round abdomen and a body that appears in shades of yellow or brown with darker markings. Although they will bite, they are a minimal health risk to humans.
- Wolf spiders: Among the largest species, wolf spiders often have a body length that exceeds one inch and appear brown with tan striping. Despite their imposing appearance, those bitten by wolf spiders typically will experience only mild pain and swelling.
- Black widow spiders: The black widow spider has a distinctive shiny, black body and reddish “hourglass-shaped” marking. Although fatalities are rare in the U.S., these spiders have a dangerous venom that can cause pain, cramps, and other symptoms that require medical attention.
- Brown recluse spiders: The brown recluse spider has a unique “violin-shaped” marking and can deliver a venomous bite that can pose legitimate human health risks.
Among the different spiders, the brown recluse and black widow are the primary types of dangerous spiders in Texas. Both types have fangs that can pierce the skin and should not be intentionally encountered.
What deters spiders from approaching your property? The keys involve preventing access indoors, limiting available food sources, and contacting a professional pest extermination company when needed.
What Is Attracting Spiders To My Home?
Homes with exterior areas that have overgrown grass, weeds, and debris are appealing to spiders seeking to capture prey. Properties with existing insect-related problems are most likely to encounter spiders; therefore, a comprehensive pest treatment plan is often recommended.
What Will Keep Spiders Away?
Learning about what deters spiders from entering a property is critical to preventing them.
- Repair holes in screens, seal cracks in the foundation, and apply weatherstripping to fill gaps around exterior doors and windows that could serve as entry points.
- Avoid using bright exterior lighting near entryways that will attract flying insects that many different spiders consume.
- Move firewood and any piles of leaves or other vegetation away from the structure.
- Carefully remove spider webs from the property to discourage their presence.
Why Should I Contact A Licensed Pest Controller?
Many property owners try sprays, traps, baiting stations, and other do-it-yourself treatment options sold in local stores that claim to eliminate the various types of spiders effectively. Unfortunately, many of these mass-marketed products will only generate short-term results that lead to further frustration. Speaking with an experienced pest control expert is strongly recommended for getting the job done right.
Leading Provider Of Pest Control Services In Houston
All-Safe Pest & Termite has been providing pest control solutions for customers in this region for decades. Our team of local professionals is trained in treating properties for spiders and understands what will keep spiders away in the future. Our technicians also have many of the latest treatment options for eliminating termites, mosquitoes, rodents, and many other unwanted critters that will potentially contaminate food and surfaces and cause property damage. No matter what types of dangerous spiders in Texas may be around your home, we’ll keep it safe and protected.