Serving Memphis, Cordova, Germantown & Collierville TN
Arachnophobia, or a fear of spiders, is fairly common, but if a spider makes its way into your home or business, you probably want to be assured of whether it is poisonous or not. AAA Termite & Pest Control is here to help with this guide to help you identify which spiders truly are dangerous.
What spiders are most common in Memphis homes?
No matter how clean your house might be, that won’t stop insects from finding their way into your home, particularly spiders. Most times, spiders make their way into your house or apartment by accident as part of their search for food. In Memphis, you’re most likely to encounter the following species of spider.
Cellar spiders
You may have heard this type of spider referred to as daddy long legs. Known for its small body and long, spindly legs, cellar spiders like areas that are dark, damp, and cool—such as your basement, crawlspace, or even in your closet or under your sink. They also can congregate in the corners of exterior structures such as a garage or barn. Cellar spiders may look creepy, but they pose no health threat.
American house spiders
You can find this species of spider almost anywhere in the United States. Distinguished by its yellow-brown color and elongated abdomen, an American house spider will create webs in your home to catch its food. Removing the webs can discourage this type of spider, although they don’t pose a threat to people or pets.
Jumping spiders
It’s easy to identify this type of spider because, well, it jumps. A full-grown jumping spider can make leaps up to 25 times their height. Jumping spiders usually are black with pale markings, more compact, and have shorter legs. While most spiders tend to be more nocturnal, jumping spiders remain active during the daytime, especially in areas of sunlight. They may bite in rare cases as a method of defense, but their bites are harmless.
Wolf spiders
There are more than 100 species of wolf spiders that can be found throughout the United States, including right here in Memphis. You can identify a wolf spider by its long, spiny legs and dark brown color. Wolf spiders tend to have either pale markings or stripes on their bodies. These are ground-level, ground-dwelling spiders that you might find under furniture, scurrying along the baseboards of your wall, or under wood, leaves, or stones in your yard. Wolf spiders are nocturnal and will hide in their shelter in the daytime.
Watch out for these spiders
The two most common spiders that are health threats are the black widow and the brown recluse. A brown recluse has a body that is either sandy brown or dirt-colored, with slight darkening in the shape of a violin on its body. A brown recluse will bite and, in some cases, the venom in these bites can kill the surrounding tissue—a process called necrosis. Black widows are one of the most well-known types of spiders, known for its large black body with a bright red, hourglass-shaped marking on the underside of its abdomen. The black widow bite also is highly venomous.
Pest control for spiders in Memphis
Although the spiders that are most likely to enter your home or business in Memphis are harmless, we understand at AAA Termite & Pest Control that most people want to keep their property spider-free. We can help by performing regular pest control treatments that form a protective barrier around your property, using materials that are safe for your children, pets, or anyone with breathing problems. To find out more about our services, schedule an on-site consultation with one of our professional pest control technicians by calling (901) 737-7378.
AAA Termite & Pest Control serves residential and commercial clients in the areas of Cordova and Memphis in Tennessee.