Spider Control
Black Widow Spiders
Latrodectus spp.
Description: Shiny, black spider with globular abdomen usually with two reddish, triangular-shaped markings on the underside of the abdomen. These markings often are joined to form an hourglass shape. The red markings vary among individuals and may look merely like spots, or a row of red spots may occur on the top of the abdomen. Immature spiders have white, yellow, orange or red markings on the top of the abdomen. The egg sac is free (not attached to flat surfaces). It is tan with a tough papery texture and is spherical with a nipple on the tip.
Life Cycle: Egg » Spiderling (nymph) » adult
Where to Look: They are not common indoors, but they are found in undisturbed sites such as basements and storage areas and prefer cluttered areas. Webs are built between stationary objects and walls. Outdoors, they prefer protected places near the ground, such as under stones, pieces of wood and brick piles or in rodent burrows and hollow tree stumps. Their favorite places are barns, sheds, meter boxes, brick veneer, barrels and woodpiles.
Brown Widow Spider
Latrodectus geometricus
Description: Brown spider with a globular abdomen. Abdomen may have mottling of tan and brown with a black accent marking. They usually have two reddish-orange, triangular-shaped markings on the underside of the abdomen that often are joined to form an hourglass shape. They are about 1/2 inch. The egg sac is described as looking like a large pollen grain and has spucles projecting out from the surface.
Life Cycle: Egg » Spiderling (nymph) » adult
Where to Look: The brown widow spider builds its web in secluded, protected sites. Typical sites include inside old tires, empty containers such as buckets and nursery pots, mailboxes, entry way corners, under eaves, stacked equipment, cluttered storage closets and garages, behind hurricane shutters, recessed hand grips of plastic garbage cans, undercarriages of motor homes, underneath outside chairs and branches of shrubs. They appear in more exposed sites than black widow spiders and this has more opportunities for human contact.
Brown Recluse Spider
Loxoscles reclusa
Description: The color of the brown recluse spider varies from yellow to tan to dark brown. They are 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. The body is covered with fine hairs. There is a tan to dark brown violin shape on the top of the cephalothorax. The three pairs of eyes are arranged in a semicircle.
Life Cycle: Egg » Spiderling (nymph) » adult
Where to Look: Outdoors, look in debris, under objects, piles of wood, utility boxes, storage areas, dark areas, clothing, boxes, furniture, clutter and stacks of things. Indoors, they are mostly found in undisturbed storage areas, such as closets, crawl spaces, basements and attics, especially those that are cluttered. These spiders hunt at night and hide during the day. They prefer to be in locations that are not occupied by human traffic. They usually run for cover when disturbed.