Common Austin, TX Spider Species
Most types of spiders are harmless and only bite when they or their web is threatened. They have poor eyesight, so if you try to brush away their web, they may mistake you for prey or a predator. The spider bites of most species aren’t deadly, but can cause swelling, red bumps or rashes, and discomfort. Some people experience a mild allergic reaction to a non-venomous bite.
Some spiders in the Austin area are venomous, however, and the Texas climate is ideal for these lethal species. Knowing which type of spider has invaded your home can help keep you safe.
House Spider
The House Spider is a common term for those that prefer living indoors. Most are orb weavers that build large, often unattractive webs. House Spiders might bite you during an encounter, but won't harm you unless you have an allergic reaction.
The challenge with house spiders, and one reason why pest control is so important, is because they grow quite large and live a long time. They attract predators (other pests and insects) that damage your property, can create health risks, and that you don't want inside your home.
Cellar Spider
What Do They Look Like?
Cellar Spiders are light brown with legs five to six times longer than the length of their body (which is why their common name is Daddy Long Legs). They are sometimes mistaken for the Brown Recluse and nicknamed the ‘Skull Spider’ because their body’s shape resembles a human skull.
Web and Habitat
They favor dark and secluded places. This spider weaves loose, irregular-shaped webs. The word ‘cobweb’ comes from the Cellar Spider, because they steadily build new webs, cobbling them onto older webs. They cannot survive cold weather, which is why they seek food and shelter inside homes and buildings.
Are They Dangerous to Humans?
The jaws or fangs of the Daddy Long Legs are too small to pierce human flesh and their venom is non-toxic to humans.
Grass Spiders
We include Grass Spiders in our list because you may notice them outdoors and become concerned they'll come inside. Rest assured, this species almost never wanders indoors.
What Do They Look Like?
The American Grass Spider is tan-colored with two parallel black stripes running down their thorax, and black and yellow markings on their abdomen. They are sometimes mistaken for Wolf Spiders. The males range in size from 5 to 9 mm while the females grow to between 19-28 mm.
Web and Habitat
They build small, sheet-like, concave webs. There is a tunnel or funnel-shaped entrance off the side. The American Grass Spider derives its name because it builds webs in tall grass. They also live and hunt in ground covers, hedges, and brush piles or shrubs.
Are They Dangerous to Humans?
A grass spider's fangs are too small to pierce your skin, making them harmless to humans.
Brown Recluse
What Do They Look Like?
The Brown Recluse Spider grows between 6 to 20 mm or larger. Coloring ranges from white to brown to grayish black. The head and thorax are not always the same color.
Web and Habitat
The brown recluse roams around in search of prey. Their webs appear disorganized and are often at ground or floor level. It make its home in woodpiles and sheds outdoors, and closets, cardboard boxes in storage, and other undisturbed locations indoors.
Are They Dangerous to Humans?
You may not notice a Brown Recluse bite at first, but it's hemotoxic venom is a serious health threat including necrosis of the skin or dermonecrotic lesions. People with a compromised immune system, children, and the elderly are at high risk. If you suspect a Brown Recluse spider bite, seek immediate medical treatment.
Wolf Spider
What Do They Look Like?
The undersides and the abdomen of the Carolina Wolf Spider are solid black. They have enormous eyes used to reflect light. The length of the female is usually around 25 mm, while the males are about 19 mm.
Web and Habitat
This species do not create a web. Rather, it roams its hunting grounds in search of prey. Unlike other species, the Wolf spider is a poor climber and lives on the ground. They prefer hiding under natural shelters such as rocks. When they enter a house during colder weather, they stay at floor level.
Are They Dangerous to Humans?
Peoples' reactions to spider bites vary. Those who experience a bite from the Wolf Spider often liken it to a bee or wasp sting. A bite can cause necrotic lesions in some individuals.
Black Widow
What Do They Look Like?
The Black Widow spider is the most venomous species of spider in North America. Almost everyone can identify a female Black Widow as dark brown or solid black with an orange or red hourglass-shaped mark on the underside of the abdomen. Males often exhibit red or red and white markings on the upper side of the abdomen.
Web and Habitat
Black Widows usually construct webs close to the ground. Leaves and other debris will often become entangled in them. Their webs have no symmetry to them and appear tangled and crisscrossed. These spiders prefer living close to the ground in low-level shrubs, woodpiles, and other dark, undisturbed spots. When they make their way inside, they hide behind furniture, the underside of desks, or in crawlspaces and basements.
Are They Dangerous to Humans?
A bite from a female Black Widow is dangerous to humans because of her large venom glands. Despite a notorious reputation, the bite is rarely fatal but will be painful. Medical treatment can involve administering a muscle relaxant and medication to reduce high blood pressure. For more serious reactions, healthcare professionals may use an anti-venom.