Wolf Spiders Spiders are one of the most feared and hated pests in Richmond, Virginia, and many people are scared of these arachnids. However, while spiders might look terrifying, most of them aren’t nearly as dangerous as they appear. Of the common spiders that invade area homes and businesses, the majority are nuisance pests.

While all spiders have fangs and venom, as they need these to hunt down their prey, most species don’t have potent enough venom to harm people or our pets. But, there are a couple of exceptions to this rule. The brown recluse spider and black widow spider are both considered medically significant to humans, and both spiders can be found in the area.

In order to help you identify spiders in Richmond and separate the dangerous species from the harmless ones, we’ve put together a guide to what various spiders look like and how you can prevent them.

Guide To Richmond Spiders

First, it’s important to be able to identify the two dangerous spiders. The black widow is fairly easy to recognize as they are a jet black color with a red marking on their underbellies in the shape of an hourglass.

The brown recluse, however, is often misidentified. The best way to tell if you’re dealing with a brown recluse or another species is to look at their legs. Brown recluse spiders don’t have markings or bands on their legs, and they are usually a tan color with a violin-shaped marking behind their backs.

Next, here is an overview of what some of the most prevalent harmless spiders look like:

Cellar Spiders: This small species is usually brown or tan. They have round bodies and long, thin legs and are typically found in cellars or crawl spaces.
Jumping Spiders: This species is usually black but can have a variety of markings. They are active during the day and have four noticeable eyes in rows, with the two center eyes being larger.
Wolf Spiders: This is one of the larger household species that can reach around an inch long. They are brown, black, and grey with a pattern and have hairy legs.

While these spiders are not considered medically significant, seeing them in your home can be a sign of an underlying pest infestation.

What Should You Do If You Find A Dangerous Spider In Your Home?

Thankfully, most spiders you come across aren’t going to put yourself, your family, or your pets at risk, but if you do think you’ve seen a dangerous species, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

First, remember that the brown recluse spider can be difficult to identify just by a glance, especially if you haven’t encountered them before. They are sometimes mistaken for wolf spiders. However, it’s always a good idea to be cautious, and if you think you’ve seen a brown recluse spider, reach out to pest control professionals.

Secondly, if you believe you’ve been bitten by a brown recluse spider or black widow spider, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. You might not always see where a bug or spider bite comes from, so keep an eye out for worsening symptoms such as swelling, pain, nausea, or body aches. It’s always a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional to be safe.

How Can You Keep Dangerous Spiders Away?

If you’ve noticed spiders around your home, especially dangerous ones, the best way to remove them is with assistance from Pestmaster® Services. Our trained technicians can eradicate any current spider problems, and we also provide ongoing spider control services to keep both dangerous and nuisance species away throughout the year.

To find out more, contact us today. We also offer free quotes.