Many spiders roam the landscapes of Texas, but five of the most common here are the brown recluse, black widow, wolf, garden orb-weaver, and jumping spiders. Living up to their name, brown recluses have a solitary nature with potent venom. The black widow spider is also common and easily identifiable through its black body sporting a distinct red, hourglass-shaped spot. Another you can encounter in Texas is the wolf spider, which is known for its fantastic hunting ability. The garden orb-weaver is no stranger as well and is best known for its intricate wheel-shaped webs. Lastly, jumping spiders are famous for their leaping abilities that allow them to catch their prey.
1. Brown Recluse Spider
The brown recluse spider is a venomous spider known for their reclusive nature. Their bodies have a medium brown color and a distinct violin-shaped marking on their cephalothorax, which is where the head and thorax of the spider meet. Because of their color, they are often mistaken for other species, like the southern house spider and wolf spider, which are also found in Texas. Identifying the brown recluse properly is crucial because this arachnid is known for its venom, which can cause localized skin reactions. Fortunately, they don't bite humans often because they prefer to stay hidden in places like attics, garages, and wood piles and usually shy away from us. They only bite when they are inadvertently pressed against, like when you put on clothes or shoes.
2. Black Widow Spider
Another common spider found in Texas is the black widow. It has a distinct appearance characterized by its glossy, black body and a unique red, hourglass-shaped mark on the abdomen. This arachnid favors warm and dry environments, making Texas an ideal region for them. When threatened, black widow spiders have an aggressive nature and a potent venom that can easily subdue their prey. They often feed on insects like flies, mosquitoes, beetles, and more. While they rarely bite humans, their venom can be painful and cause muscle cramps and trouble breathing.
Black widow spiders prefer to hide in secluded and undisturbed areas, like garages and sheds.
3. Wolf Spider
Texas is also home to another fascinating spider: the wolf spider. This species is an agile predator famous for its hunting abilities. It has robust legs and a striped brown or grayish-brown body that helps it blend in with the surrounding environment. With its excellent vision and wolf-like hunting habit, the wolf spider can easily chase down its prey, which includes insects like crickets and cockroaches. Wolf spiders seek out solitude and are nocturnal arachnids that hide in burrows or dig tunnels under rocks and logs during the day. They are also commonly found in grassy areas, piles of leaves, and basements.
4. Garden Orb-Weaver Spider
Garden orb-weaver spiders are another intriguing arachnid in Texas. They are usually a reddish-brown color with wide abdomens and striped legs, and while their size can be intimidating, they are harmless to humans. True to its name, this spider is a master weaver, spinning intricate, wheel-shaped webs at night to catch its prey, then taking it down at dawn. During the day, this spider camouflages and blends in with tree branches and foliage.
Garden orb-weaver spiders are beneficial arachnids. Because they feed on various bugs like flies, beetles, and others, these eight-legged insects help control the population of pests and maintain a balanced ecosystem. They can also help reduce your need to administer pesticides on your property.
5. Jumping Spider
Jumping spiders are one of the most unique species found in Texas. Unlike most spiders, this member of the Salticidae family has the ability to jump about 30 to 50 times its body length. The jumping spider can do this by changing the blood pressure within their body, which causes the muscles on its legs to contract and extend. As these muscles contract, it can jump and pounce on its prey. Aside from being able to leap great distances, these spiders are also known for their excellent eyesight. With four pairs of big eyes, they can accurately measure long distances and see a wide range of colors!
Call us today to enroll in our pest control packages!
Here at Integra Pest & Lawn, we proudly offer pest control packages to commercial and residential properties, as well as HOAs, in Fort Worth, Burleson, Crowley, and surrounding communities in Texas. All of the packages that we offer feature multiple visits to your property throughout the year, so you can rest assured that you have optimal and long-lasting protection from these spiders and many other pests. Give us a call today at (817) 886-7702 to enroll in any of our pest control packages.
Additional Resources About Spiders:
Spiders - In General
Everything You Need To Know About The Brown Recluse Spider
Wolf Spiders North Texas
Identifying And Controlling Wolf Spiders
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