Fall is when North Texas homeowners notice spiders the most. Webs show up across porches, and big brown spiders run across garage floors. The good news is that most common spiders in Dallas are harmless and even helpful. Two of them are not, and it pays to know the difference.
The Two Spiders to Take Seriously
Brown Recluse
The brown recluse is tan to light brown with a darker violin-shaped mark on its back. It has six eyes instead of the usual eight, but you would need a magnifying glass to see that. As the name says, it hides. Look for it in closets, stored boxes, attics, and shoes or clothes left on the floor.
Black Widow
Black widows are glossy black with a red hourglass on the underside. They build messy, tangled webs close to the ground. Common spots are garages, woodpiles, meter boxes, and under outdoor furniture. They are not aggressive and usually bite only when pressed against skin.
If you think you or a family member was bitten by either one, see a doctor. Do not wait to see how it looks. A pest company can find and remove the spiders, but it cannot tell you what caused a bite. Our post on how to tell what is biting you explains why.
Harmless Common Spiders in Dallas
- Wolf spiders: Large, hairy, and fast. They hunt on the ground instead of building webs, so they often end up indoors in fall.
- Orb weavers: The large, round webs across doorways and eaves. They peak in early fall and stay outside.
- Jumping spiders: Small, fuzzy, and curious. They are common on windowsills and walls.
- Cellar spiders: Thin legs and small bodies, found in corners of garages and closets.
These spiders bite rarely, and their bites are not medically serious for most people. Still, many homeowners simply do not want them inside.
Why You Are Seeing More Spiders Now
Spiders follow their food. When crickets and other insects move indoors in fall, spiders come with them. Our post on crickets in the house covers that side of the problem. In short, if you have a lot of spiders, you have a lot of insects for them to eat.
How to Keep Spiders Out
- Seal gaps around doors, windows, and pipes.
- Store items in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes.
- Shake out shoes and gloves stored in the garage.
- Move firewood and debris away from the house.
- Switch outdoor lights to yellow bulbs, which draw fewer insects.
When to Call a Professional
Call a professional if you find a brown recluse or black widow indoors, or if spiders keep coming back after you clean. The common spiders in Dallas are all covered by our general pest control service. We treat the areas where spiders hide and reduce the insects that feed them. HK Pest Control Services is licensed and insured in Texas (TPCL #13923) and serves Dallas, Richardson, and Plano.
Seeing spiders you are not sure about? Call us at 469-618-9991 for a free consultation, backed by our guarantee.
