Types of Spiders: Identification Guide
Know Your Spiders
Spiders represent one of the most diverse and commonly encountered pests in Tennessee homes and businesses. With over 45,000 species worldwide, these eight-legged arthropods vary significantly in appearance, behavior, and potential health risks.- Size: Range from tiny jumping spiders (1/8-1/2 inch) to larger wolf spiders (up to 1 inch)
- Color: Varies widely from black, brown, and gray to yellow and red markings
- Shape: Eight legs, two body sections, typically eight eyes in species-specific patterns
- Active Season: Year-round, with increased indoor activity during colder months
- Lifespan: 1-3 years depending on species
- Reproduction Rate: Most produce multiple egg sacs containing dozens to hundreds of eggs
Common Spider Characteristics
Spiders of all kinds share common characteristics including eight legs, two body segments (cephalothorax and abdomen), and specialized mouthparts called chelicerae that often contain venom glands. Despite these similarities, spider species vary dramatically in size, coloration, web-building behavior, and potential danger to humans. While most spiders are beneficial predators that help control other pest populations, some species can deliver painful or medically significant bites when disturbed.Key Spider Types in Tennessee
- Wolf Spider: Large (0.5-1 inch) hunting spiders with brown, black, and gray coloration. They don’t build webs but actively hunt prey along floor edges and under furniture. Recognizable by their robust bodies and distinctive eye arrangement.
- Brown Recluse: Light brown with a characteristic violin-shaped marking behind the head. These venomous spiders measure approximately 1/4-1/2 inch and prefer undisturbed areas like closets, attics, and storage boxes.
- Black Widow: Glossy black with a distinctive red hourglass shape on the underside of the abdomen. These venomous spiders build irregular webs in dark, secluded areas and can measure 1/2 inch in body length.
- Jumping Spider: Small (1/8-1/2 inch), compact hunters with excellent vision and the ability to jump several times their body length. Typically brown, tan, or gray, they’re recognizable by their alert, almost curious behavior.
- Daddy Long-Legs (Cellar Spiders): Pale yellow or brown with extremely long, thin legs and small oval bodies. They build loose, irregular webs in corners and ceiling areas throughout homes.
Other Spider Species
House spiders, orb weavers, and sac spiders are other common types found in Tennessee homes. House spiders build cobwebs in corners and undisturbed areas. Orb weavers create the classic circular webs often seen in gardens and between outdoor structures. Sac spiders are pale yellow or tan and build silken retreats rather than prey-catching webs, often hiding in ceiling corners or behind furniture.
Health Risks of Spiders
Different spider types present varying health risks.
- Venomous Bites: Brown recluse bites can cause necrotic lesions (tissue death), while black widow bites can trigger severe pain, muscle cramps, and in rare cases, difficulty breathing.
- Non-Venomous Bites: Most spider bites cause only minor pain, redness, and itching that resolves without treatment.
- Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may experience more severe allergic responses to spider bites or contact with spider remains.
- Psychological Impact: Spider presence can cause significant anxiety and reduce perceived property value, particularly for those with arachnophobia.
Where to Find Different Types of Spiders
Different spider species prefer specific habitats within homes. Web-building species like black widows and cellar spiders are typically found in corners, ceiling areas, and behind furniture. Hunting spiders like wolf spiders and jumping spiders are often found along baseboards, under furniture, and near entry points where they can ambush prey. Brown recluse spiders prefer undisturbed areas like closets, attics, storage boxes, and inside shoes or clothing.
When to Call Professional Help
Professional pest control is strongly recommended when you identify potentially dangerous species like brown recluse or black widow spiders, observe multiple spiders or egg sacs throughout your home, or experience unexplained bites. Since identifying spider species accurately requires expertise, and misidentification of venomous species can lead to unnecessary risks, professional assessment provides both accurate identification and effective control.Schedule a Free Inspection
Our expert technicians at U.S. Pest Protection specialize in identifying all types of spiders found in Tennessee homes and businesses. We’ll conduct a thorough inspection to determine which spider species are present, locate their hiding spots, and develop a customized treatment plan to ensure your home remains spider-free.
