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What do spiders look like?

It is a given that all spiders have eight legs, however other details of their appearance are determined by their specific species. In Tulsa and Oklahoma, house spiders, wolf spiders, and brown recluse spiders are commonly found in and around homes and other buildings. Not as common but still present are black widow spiders.

house spider on a white background

House Spiders (pictured above)
The common house spider varies in size and color, and could be considered more friend than foe as it feeds on other bugs that have infested your structure.  Unfortunately, they do leave webs in places you’d rather they didn’t like the corner of your living room. Another down side to a house spider infestation – if they’re getting in so can other bugs. In a way, a spider problem is a sign of a larger problem. 

Wolf Spiders
A larger species, wolf spiders have eight long and spiny legs, which gives them the ability move quickly. They also have husky bodies covered in hair, and may have cream, gray or yellowed color markings. Their eight eyes are placed in three rows- four small eyes on the bottom row, two large eyes in the middle row, and two medium eyes on the top row.

Brown Recluse Spiders
Venomous spiders, brown recluses’ most distinctive feature are the violin-like pattern found on the top of their bodies.  Also noteworthy, their eyes are arranged in a semi-circle. Though they typically hide in areas not frequently disturbed, brown recluse spiders may bite if encountered and medical attention may be necessary.
 

Black Widow Spiders
Though not as common as other spiders in Oklahoma, black widow spiders are recognizable by their shiny black bodies and the unique red mark (resembling an hour-glass) located on the underside of their abdomens. These venomous spiders also have lighter red or white spots on their abdomens and backs.

Do all spiders build webs to catch prey?

No, not all spiders build webs to catch their prey although it is a common misconception. Wolf spiders, for instance, do not create webs but rather dens in the ground.  They’ll hide in the den until prey wanders by than emerge to hunt it down. Brown recluse spiders hunt their prey and only create webs for reproduction purposes; they actually attach their egg sacks to the web.

Are spiders dangerous?

Really it depends on the type of spider you’re dealing with. In Oklahoma, there are both non-venomous (i.e. house spider and wolf spider) and venomous spiders which have the potential to be dangerous both to people and pets. Brown recluse spider bites can lead to fever, convulsions, nausea, and muscle pain among other symptoms.  In extreme cases, a bite may result in necrosis, which is the death of most or all cells. If you suspect you’ve been bitten by a brown recluse, seek medical advice right away. A black widow spider bite is not usually life threatening but medical attention may be required. Symptoms of a black widow spider bite include fever and skin ulceration that may take weeks or months to heal and may leave a scar. Care must be taken as wounds are prone to infection.

Why do I have a spider problem?

If you have a spider problem in your home, it’s because they were able to get inside. They may have arrived by accident while hunting or sought shelter from unfavorable weather conditions. If you’re concerned about brown recluse spiders, they often lurk in quiet dark areas like crawl spaces, attics, wall voids, closets, under furniture, in cabinet under sinks, and other undisturbed places. The presence of spiders in your landscaping may annoy you but tall grass, woodpiles, rocks, and stones are all common places to find spiders.

How do I get rid of spiders?

If you’re trying to get rid of spiders, you’ll need to make sure that their food sources are eliminated AND the entry points they used are sealed up. For professional spider control in Tulsa and surrounding areas, consider contacting Montgomery Exterminating.

Helpful Spider Articles

Why Spiders Are A Year-Round Concern

How Spiders Get Inside Oklahoma Homes

 

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