Pest Guide : What Is Spider?

Our area is home to dozens of spider species. Some of the most common spiders in our area include the following:

• Yellow Sac Spider: About 1/2 inch long and pale yellow in color. Often move inside during the fall. They spin silken sacks where they rest during the day and hunt at night for small insects. They may bite humans, but their venom only causes symptoms similar to a mosquito bite.
• Wolf Spider: Large, hairy spiders that are almost an inch long. They are solitary and stalk their prey for short distances. Wolf Spiders are scary looking, but they normally do not bite and are not dangerous.
• Black Widow Spider: About 1/2 inch long and mainly oily black with defining reddish marks. Often, the reddish marks are in the shape of an hourglass located on the abdomen underside. Black Widows are normally outside in dark, undisturbed corners, but they can also be found in basements, barns, garages, and other similar structures. These spiders are venomous, though rarely lead to death. It’s important to seek treatment if you are bitten by a Black Widow spider.
• Brown Recluse Spider: About 1/3 of an inch long with long, smooth legs. Its identifying mark is a brown, violin-looking design. Brown Recluses are normally in the same area as Black Widows, but they can also be found in boxes of clothing or under beds. Brown Recluse spiders are venomous and can lead to death. Seek treatment right away if you are bitten by one of these spiders.