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The 5 Most Common Spider Species In The US

With over 3,000 spider species in North America, it might seem hard to identify which one is infecting your home. However, out of all of them, five species are much more likely to be encountered in the home. In this article, we’re going to cover these five species, along with their behavior and the threats that they pose.

1. Wolf spider

The wolf spider has a dark brown coloration and it will usually have some pale markings and stripes as well. Wolf spiders are nocturnal, and will hunt during the night, while sheltering during the day. Interestingly, wolf spiders do not spin webs. Instead they will chase down their prey. When it comes to size, they are big and they are also very hairy, making them appear very menacing. However, they are not aggressive, and will only bite if they are handled or threatened.

2. Common house spider

The common house spider is the most often encountered species inside the home. They have a yellowish brown color, and a white abdomen with a few dark stripes. They hunt their prey using webs, and they are considered nuisance pests, since they are not really dangerous. This species also has a harder time surviving in modern homes where you have low humidity and not that many insects to feed on.

3. Jumping spider

Jumping spiders are generally black, but they can also have a gray, tan or brown coloration. They are mostly active during the day, have excellent vision, and they can jump. Their bite is not poisonous and they are not classified as dangerous. You will often see them hunting near doors and windows in the sunlight.

4. Brown recluse

The brown recluse is a nocturnal spider with brown coloration and a mark on their back that resembles a violin. When indoors they will hide in basements, crawl spaces, attics and closets. They are not an aggressive species of spider, but they will bite when they are threatened. Their venom is very powerful and a bite can cause very intense pain, open ulcers and blisters. If bitten by a brown recluse, you should seek medical attention right away.

5. Black widow

Black widows are perhaps one of the most-well known species of spiders. They are fully black with the exception of a red hourglass on the abdomen. They become active in temperatures of over 70 degrees, and they build their webs near the ground during nighttime. Female black widows are the more aggressive of the species, and they will be even more so when guarding their eggs. Black widow venom can be fatal, although it rarely results in death if medical treatment is administered promptly.

Do you have a spider infestation in your home?

Even if most of these species are harmless, that does not mean that you want them to set up shop in your home. If you have a spider infestation in your home and you want to get rid of it, contact us today.