Spiders You May See in Your Home and What to Do About Them

Most of us have had the unpleasant experience of being startled by a spider at home. Whether you're an ecologist who thoroughly appreciates the role spiders play in the ecosystem or an arachnophobe, coming face to face with these creatures in your own space can cause understandable unease. One source of this feeling stems from the unknown: you wonder what type of spider you’re dealing with, whether or not it’s venomous, whether it’s laid eggs in your home and countless other questions. Here are a few common spiders you may see around your home and what to do about them, brought to you by the experts at Thorn!

The Who’s Who of Eight-Legged Houseguests

If you encounter a spider in your home, take a moment to observe the spider's features before you jump to conclusions and reach for the nearest shoe.

Black Widow

• Appearance: Black widows have a large abdomen and an unmistakable red hourglass on their underside.
• Where they hide: Black widows are elusive and shy, hiding in dark and undisturbed areas. They usually stay outdoors, but they may move inside to basements and cellars in cold weather.
• Danger level: High. Black widows are the most venomous spiders in North America, and their bite can be deadly. Symptoms of a black widow bite include muscle aches, fever, dizziness, vomiting and more.
• What to do: If you suspect a black widow bit you, seek immediate medical attention. After receiving treatment, contact Thorn for pest control services as soon as possible.

Brown Recluse

• Appearance: Brown recluse spiders have three pairs of eyes instead of four, and their brown bodies have a violin-shaped marking that begins at the head. They are relatively small, only up to half an inch long, and have slender legs.
• Where they hide: Like most spiders, brown recluses mainly live in dark and undisturbed areas like sheds, cellars, and basement storage. Sometimes, they hide in folded sheets or towels, which is where they are most likely to come in contact with humans and possibly bite.
• Danger level: High. The bite of a brown recluse is venomous and can cause necrotizing wounds, meaning that the cells and tissue surrounding the bite will die. Symptoms of a brown recluse bite include nausea, muscle aches, headache and redness around the puncture wound.
• What to do: Seek medical attention immediately if you believe a brown recluse spider has bitten you. Call reliable pest professionals like Thorn to rid your home of these dangerous spiders as soon as possible.

Hobo Spider

• Appearance: Spiny leg hairs, a tannish-brown color, and a spotty appearance make the hobo spider relatively easy to identify. You can also recognize them by their funnel-shaped webs.
• Where they hide: These spiders typically stay outside but may build their webs in windows, cellars, basements and door frames.
• Danger level: Moderate. The bite of a hobo spider generally does not require medical attention, but it can be painful and swollen.
• What to do: If you notice a spider bite from a hobo spider, thoroughly wash the wound and monitor the swelling. Partner with trusted pest control professionals like Thorn to remove them from your home.

Wolf Spider

• Appearance: Within the wolf spider category, there are more than 200 species, which makes identifying them tricky. These spiders can be up to an inch and a half long and can be gray, brown, or black. They are usually hairy and have thicker legs, which is why some people think of them as miniature tarantulas.
• Where they hide: Wolf spiders do not build webs, but they may go into basements, sheds, garages, gardens and enclosed areas looking for insects to hunt down.
• Danger level: Low. While wolf spider bites are painful, they do not occur frequently and are not venomous.
• What to do: If a wolf spider bites you, apply ice to the bite. If you notice many wolf spiders in your home, call for professional pest services from Thorn.