Seeing a spider around the house isn't always as scary as it seems. Arachnids are beneficial to many ecosystems because they consume other critters you might find in your home, such as mosquitos and flies. However, some Missouri species are dangerous and can lead to an infestation. Before seeking pest control service, it's helpful to be familiar with the ones most likely to invite themselves indoors.

What Spiders Are Frequently Found Inside Missouri Homes?

1. Black Widow

The female black widow spider is one of the most recognizable arachnids. The black body includes a red hourglass shape on the abdomen. However, male black widows have lighter coloring and red spots with white lines coming out and onto their sides. You might find black widows in nature in protected, woody areas like rodent burrows, hollow stumps, and barrels. Indoors, you might find them in garages and crawlspaces. 

These spiders tend to weave messy, irregular-shaped webs near ground level. Most famously, the black widow is venomous. If a bit penetrates the skin, you must receive medical attention to be treated with antitoxin, as the venom affects the nervous system.

2. Brown Recluse

One of the most common Missouri spiders is the loxosceles reclusa or brown recluse. This arachnid is easily recognizable with its tawny brown color and violin-shaped marking on top of its lower abdomen. The brown recluse has a reputation for having necrotic venom that damages flesh. However, only 10% of brown recluse spider bites produce severe reactions in humans. 

You might have brown recluse visitors if you notice thin, circular webs in untended corners and crevices of your home. True to their name, brown recluse spiders prefer to crawl around in dark, cluttered areas, such as closets, so it's smart to keep your rooms tidy. 

3. Orb Weaver Spider

An orb weaver spider might be intimidating to look at, but they are helpful, to a degree. These spiders eat mosquitoes and keep the population down. Orb weaver spiders vary in appearance, but they always have a rounded abdomen. Their colors can be orange, black, yellow, and brown, and they tend to be 6 millimeters or 10 to 20 millimeters long for males and females, respectfully.  

If you have an orb weaver spider infestation, you'll likely find them in dark spaces, like corners, or under wooden decks and eaves. This spider species likes to spin new webs every night, so you'll likely see different webbing each day.

If you need pest control service to deal with a spider infestation in Jefferson City or Columbia, MO, reach out to the professionals at Denning Pest Control. This family-owned pest control company has helped residents eliminate pests and critters for over 60 years. As a fully registered, licensed, bonded, and insured exterminator, they will identify and eliminate various infestations, including bedbugs, spiders, termites, and roaches. They also offer free inspections and effective one-time treatments. Call (573) 636-6351 or visit them online to schedule a pest control service appointment.