The Most Common Spiders in Texas
Spiders are a part of life here in Texas, and while most are harmless, some can be dangerous. Understanding the different types of spiders around your home in the Lone Star State is important for keeping your family safe and ensuring your peace of mind. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common spiders you’ll encounter in Texas, how to identify them, and what you should do if you find them in your home.
Most Common Types of TX Spiders
Living in Texas means sharing your space with a variety of spiders. While most are harmless and even beneficial, it’s important to know how to identify the more dangerous species like the Black Widow and Brown Recluse. If you’re ever unsure about a spider in your home, it’s best to contact a local pest control service to assess the situation and ensure your safety.
1. Black House Spider
Black House Spiders are common indoor pests in Texas homes. While they are not known to be aggressive, these spiders tend to make messy, cobweb-like structures in sheltered areas, which can be a nuisance. They prefer dark, undisturbed corners, much like attics, basements, and outdoor structures such as sheds and garages, though they can also be found around windows, doors, or corners of rooms, where they catch insects that wander into the home.
Identification:
- Color: Dark brown to black with a velvety appearance.
- Size: Ranges from about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch in body length.
- Habitat: Black House Spiders prefer sheltered areas and can often be found in window frames, around light fixtures, and in eaves. They may also build webs in outdoor structures like sheds and barns.
What to Do: These spiders are generally considered a nuisance due to their unsightly webs. They are not aggressive and usually only bite if provoked. However, their bites can cause mild symptoms such as swelling or localized pain, similar to a bee sting. Regular cleaning and pest control treatments can help keep them at bay.
2. Brown Recluse Spider
The Brown Recluse is one of the most concerning spiders commonly found in Texas homes, particularly in the central and northern parts of the state. Found in warm, dry, and dark places, such as closets, attics, and under furniture, this spider is known for its venomous bite. Although bites are rare, they can cause significant skin damage if left untreated.
Identification:
- Color: Light to dark brown with a distinct violin-shaped marking on its back.
- Size: Around the size of a quarter, with long, thin legs.
- Habitat: Brown Recluse spiders prefer undisturbed areas and can be found both inside and outside, often under rocks or wood piles.
What to Do: If you encounter a Brown Recluse, do not attempt to handle it. Their bites can cause serious skin damage and require medical attention. It's best to contact a pest control professional immediately to safely remove them.
3. Texas Orb-Weaver Spider
Orb-Weavers are the web-building spiders you’ll find in gardens, on porches, or in trees around Texas. They are not dangerous to humans and are known for spinning large, circular webs. Their presence can actually be beneficial, as they catch many flying insects like mosquitoes and flies. These spiders are typically active in the evening.
Identification:
- Color: Varies from yellow to brown or even orange, with distinct banded legs.
- Size: Their bodies can grow up to 1.5 inches, but their legs and webs make them seem much larger.
- Habitat: Orb-weavers build circular webs in open areas like gardens, trees, or near porch lights.
What to Do: Orb-weavers are harmless and are actually beneficial because they help control insect populations around your home. There’s no need to remove them unless their webs are in inconvenient places. They rarely venture indoors, but if you do find them, they can be relocated easily without harm.
4. Jumping Spider
Jumping spiders are one of the most commonly seen spiders in Texas homes and gardens. Known for their small size and big eyes, these spiders are more curious than dangerous and are active hunters with excellent vision, which they use to pounce on their prey. They tend to live in sunny spots like windowsills or gardens and can even be spotted jumping from one surface to another as they hunt for insects.
Identification:
- Color: Short, stout bodies with large eyes on the front of their head. Typically black with white or iridescent markings, although they can come in a variety of colors.
- Size: Small, usually around half an inch or less in length.
- Habitat: They prefer sunny spots like windows, doors, and gardens, where they hunt for insects.
What to Do: Jumping spiders are harmless to humans and are great at keeping insect populations down. If you find one indoors, simply relocate it outside if needed.
5. Common House Spiders
There are many species of house spiders commonly found across Texas. These spiders are generally harmless and are more of a nuisance than a danger. They create webs in corners, ceilings, and other out-of-the-way places to catch insects.
Identification:
- Color: Varies greatly depending on species, but most are brown, gray, or tan with patterned markings.
- Size: Usually small, with a body size ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
- Habitat: House spiders are typically found in basements, garages, attics, and undisturbed areas of your home.
What to Do: House spiders are generally harmless and help control other insect pests in your home. Keeping your home free of clutter and vacuuming regularly can help reduce their numbers.
6. Black Widow Spider
The Black Widow is another venomous spider found throughout Texas. Known for their dangerous bite, these spiders tend to avoid human contact but will defend themselves if threatened. They are often found in quiet, dark, sheltered areas like sheds, garages, outdoor furniture, woodpiles, and basements and are typically more active in the warmer months.
Identification:
- Color: Glossy black body with a signature red hourglass shape on the underside of its abdomen.
- Size: Females are about 1.5 inches long, while males are significantly smaller and less dangerous.
- Habitat: They build messy, irregular webs and prefer secluded spots.
What to Do: If you spot a Black Widow in your Texas home or yard, avoid handling it. While their bites can be dangerous, they are not aggressive and will only bite in self-defense. Contact a pest control professional to safely remove it, especially if you have children or pets.
7. Texas Wolf Spider
The Texas Wolf Spider is a large, fast-moving spider that can seem intimidating but is generally harmless to humans. These spiders are commonly found in Texas’ gardens, patios, and sometimes indoors when seeking shelter. Unlike web-building spiders, wolf spiders are ground-dwelling hunters that chase down their pray and are generally active at night.
Identification:
- Color: Typically brown or gray with dark markings resembling a camouflage pattern.
- Size: Ranges from half an inch to over 2 inches in length.
- Habitat: These spiders prefer the outdoors and can often be found in gardens, under rocks, or near windows and doors.
What to Do: While Wolf spiders can be startling due to their large size and speed, they are not dangerous to humans. If you find one indoors, it likely wandered in by accident. You can use a cup and paper to safely move it outside. However, if you find them frequently inside your home, sealing gaps and cracks around doors and windows can help keep them out.
8. Tarantula
The Texas Brown Tarantula is one of the largest spiders you’ll encounter in Texas. While they may look intimidating, these spiders are relatively harmless and are more of a curiosity than a threat.
Identification:
- Color: Dark brown or black with thick, hairy bodies.
- Size: Adults can grow up to 5 inches in leg span.
- Habitat: Tarantulas are ground-dwellers and can often be found in burrows or under rocks and logs in rural areas or near the outskirts of cities.
What to Do: Tarantulas are not aggressive, and their bites are not dangerous to humans. If you find one in your yard, it’s best to leave it alone or gently relocate it.
How to Keep Spiders Out of Your Texas Home
While most spiders in Texas are harmless, you likely don’t want them taking up residence inside your home. Here are some tips to keep spiders out of your living spaces:
- Seal Cracks and Gaps: Spiders often enter homes through small cracks and openings. Make sure to seal gaps around windows, doors, and your home’s foundation.
- Declutter: Spiders love dark, cluttered spaces like garages, attics, and basements. Keeping these areas clean and free of clutter will make them less inviting to spiders.
- Use Outdoor Lighting Wisely: Many spiders are attracted to insects, which in turn are drawn to outdoor lights. Consider using yellow or sodium vapor bulbs to reduce insect and spider activity around your home.
- Regular Pest Control: Keeping other insect populations under control with regular pest treatments will also reduce the number of spiders in your home, as they won’t have a food source.
When to Call a Pest Control Professional
If you’re seeing an unusual number of spiders or are concerned about venomous species like the Brown Recluse or Black Widow, it’s a good idea to reach out to your local pest control company. Our team at Justice Pest Services can inspect your home, identify any potential risks, and create a customized plan to keep your home spider-free. Contact our team today to get started with a comprehensive consultation.