There are over 45,000 different types of spiders worldwide. Seeing a spider in your home can be frightening—especially if you don’t know whether it’s dangerous. It’s wise to be careful with these arachnids, even if you don’t have arachnophobia, since their venom can make for a pretty nasty bite.
So, is the spider in your Houston home venomous or harmless? Knowing the difference can help keep you and your family safe. Here’s everything you need to know about venomous spiders in Houston.
Common Spiders You’ll Find in Houston
Despite their poor reputation, spiders are usually nothing to fear—in fact, around 90% of spiders in North America are harmless.
Here’s how to identify a few common house spiders in Houston.
Spiders That Shouldn’t Worry You
Have you spotted one of these spiders in your Houston home? Good news—they aren’t dangerous at all. A bite from these types of spiders will cause some mild skin irritation at worst.
- Cellar Spiders have long legs and small bodies. Their bodies are ⅓ of an inch long, while their legs are around two inches.
- Jumping Spiders are black and have white spots on their bodies. They are between ⅛ and ¾ of an inch long.
- Wolf Spiders are rather large, with adult bodies reaching up to two inches. They have brown, black, and gray striped bodies.
Spiders You Should Worry About
These species of spiders have venomous bites that require medical attention. Be cautious when removing these dangerous spiders from your Houston home.
- Black Widow Spiders have black bodies with red hourglass markings on their backs. Males lack these hourglasses and will have yellow, red, and white stripes instead. They can be up to 1.5 inches long. A bite from these spiders can cause nausea, cramping, high blood pressure, and other severe symptoms. Fortunately, black widows will rarely bite unprovoked.
- Brown Recluse Spiders have light brown bodies and very long legs. They have dark brown patches on their heads that look like a violin. Most are no bigger than ¼ of an inch. A brown recluse bite can cause fever, nausea, joint pain, and in severe cases, seizures or comas. Fortunately, these spiders tend to hide from humans and will not bite unprovoked.
How To Prevent Spiders in Your Home
Insects like roaches, flies, ants, and beetles can cause damage to your living space, allowing spiders to scurry in. To keep your home safe, consider getting an inspection from Romney Pest Control. We can stop spider infestations before they begin!
Here are a few other ways to prevent spiders in your Houston home.
- Store food in airtight containers or bags
- Repair leaking pipes and clogged drains
- Avoid clutter that could serve as hiding places for spiders
- Seal cracks in your home’s structure and foundation
- Trim the plants around your property regularly
- Store firewood outside, and avoid keeping damp firewood around
- Install weather stripping and door sweeps for extra security
Shoo the Spiders Away With Romney Pest Control
Do you think you have a spider problem in your Houston home? You’re in luck—we have a three-step process that can eliminate the issue. This includes:
- A thorough inspection
- A treatment plan, if necessary
- A follow-up to ensure the pests don’t return
Whether you have one spider or a whole infestation, our pest professionals at Romney Pest Control are here to help. Don’t wait for the problem to get worse—give us a call right away!
