1343 Reviews
Let’s be honest, spiders give a lot of us the creeps. In fact, fear of spiders is so common, they made an entire movie about it back in the '90s (we’re not saying you’re old if you remember it… but you might be).
But are spiders really as scary as we think? Or have they just gotten a bad reputation because of their eight legs, skittery movements, and habit of showing up when we least expect it?
At All-American Pest Control, we’re not scared of spiders; in fact, we know them inside and out. Our team understands spider behavior, biology, and what really makes them tick. We’re here to clear up the myths and give you the facts, so you can feel a little more at ease the next time one crawls across your porch or your bathroom wall.
Are Spiders Harmful to Humans?
When discussing whether or not spiders are harmful to humans, you have to take several factors into consideration because the broad answer to that question is “it depends”.
Most spiders in Tennessee are not dangerous. Spiders will typically only bite you in self-defense, not because they are aggressive and looking for a fight. If they feel threatened or you disturb them unexpectedly, you might end up getting bitten.
Even if you do get bitten by a spider, most of the time the bite will not cause any serious harm. Spiders do have venom, but most spider venom is not strong enough to cause a serious reaction in humans. You may have localized pain, redness, or swelling at the site of the bite, but in most cases, this goes away after a day or two.
The only spiders in Middle Tennessee that are truly harmful to humans are brown recluse spiders and black widow spiders. Like other spiders, they are not aggressive, so it’s quite rare to be bitten by one of these spider species. However, if you do get bitten, they have venom that is strong enough to cause a more severe reaction.
When to Worry About a Spider Bite
How do you know if you need to be worried about a spider bite? There are several things to look for. First, if you saw the spider that bit you, you can determine if it was a brown recluse or black widow. If you think either of those species was responsible for your spider bite, it’s best to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention.
If you didn’t see the spider that bit you, there are certain symptoms to look for that can indicate it’s time to seek help from a medical professional. These spider bite symptoms include:
-
Radiating swelling, redness, and pain from the site of the bite
-
Blistering or discoloration around the bite
-
Tissue necrosis around the bite
-
Nausea or vomiting
-
Muscle cramping or rigidity
-
Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
-
Increased blood pressure
-
Fever
-
Headache
-
Dizziness
-
Joint pain
If you have any of these symptoms, contact a doctor right away.
Common Outdoor Spiders in Tennessee (and Their Danger Level)
Tennessee is the home of many spider species. Knowing how to identify them can save you a lot of worry. When you know which spiders are harmless and which could be dangerous, you’ll be armed with the knowledge you need on how to proceed and whether spider control is necessary or not. Some of the most common outdoor spiders in Tennessee include:
Garden (zipper) spiders- These spiders are often found in your garden and build webs with a zigzag pattern down the middle. They usually have black and yellow markings. Zipper spiders are harmless.
Orb weaver spiders- Orb weaver spiders build the big, beautiful webs that spiders are known for. They are often found outdoors near gardens and can have a variety of colorful markings. Orb weaver spiders are harmless.
Wolf spiders- Wolf spiders are big and hairy. They hunt for their food and do not build nests. Although startling to come across (they can run fast!), wolf spiders are not dangerous.
Brown recluse spiders- As their name indicates, brown recluse spiders like to be left alone. They build their webs in out-of-the-way locations to avoid contact with humans and other creatures. These spiders are light brown with a darker brown violin-shaped marking on their backs. They are venomous and can be harmful to your health.
Black widow spiders- It’s rare to find a black widow spider in a populated yard, but it can happen. These spiders have shiny black bodies with a red hourglass shape on their abdomens. Like brown recluse spiders, they are venomous and dangerous to your health.
Are Spiders Afraid of You?
If you have a child who’s afraid of bugs, you’ve probably shared some form of the sentiment, “They’re more afraid of you than you are of them,” but is that true? Are spiders afraid of people?
It might be good and bad news that the answer to this question is yes, spiders are afraid of you. It’s good news because, for the most part, spiders will try to avoid humans. They much prefer to stay away from you and will usually build their webs or create their nests in areas that are not near human activity. They will not seek you out to bite you.
It’s bad news because if you accidentally come into contact with a spider, it’s going to react out of fear and respond aggressively to try to defend itself. Most spider bites occur when a spider feels trapped or startled. That explains why you’ve been bitten when a spider was unintentionally caught in your shirt or shoe.
Should You Be Scared of Spiders in Your Yard?
There isn’t a yard in all of Tennessee that is completely spider-free. Believe it or not, this is a good thing! You don’t have to be afraid of having spiders in your yard because, for the most part, spiders are beneficial pests. When you have harmless spiders in your yard, they help keep insect populations under control, playing an important role in the ecosystem and making your yard a more pleasant place for you and your family.
Most outdoor spiders keep to themselves and prefer quiet corners, so you won’t have to deal with them regularly. If you do start to notice a lot of spider activity around your property or on your porch, removing webs and trimming back foliage can help reduce these sightings.
Should You Ignore Spiders or Try to Remove Them?
Because of their beneficial habits, leaving non-venomous spiders alone whenever possible is your best option when you find them outside. If they’ve built their webs in areas where you don’t want them, try relocation before removal. Use a jar or a soft tool to move them to a different area of your lawn.
However, if you see venomous spiders around your yard, you’ll want to do something about them. The best thing to do is to contact a professional pest control company, like All-American Pest Control. Trying to get rid of venomous spiders yourself can be dangerous to your health. Professional pest control experts know how to get rid of venomous spiders without the risk to their health or the health of you and your family.
What Smells Do Spiders Hate?
Some people try to deter pests, including spiders, by applying scents that these pests dislike. Natural deterrents, like essential oils, may help limit outdoor spider activity around doors and windows if you apply them regularly. Some scents that are said to repel spiders include:
-
Peppermint oil
-
Citrus
-
Vinegar
-
Eucalyptus
How Long Do Spiders Live?
The lifespan of spiders varies based on the particular spider species. That said, most common spiders in Tennessee live from one to two years. However, other spiders, like wolf spiders, tend to live longer. In favorable conditions, some wolf spiders can live three to four years.
How to Make Spiders Go Away Without Harming Them
If you want to allow spiders to remain on your property to help keep bug populations low, but don’t want them hanging around the same areas you frequent, you can do a few things to help prevent them from setting up shop around your porch, doors, and windows. Try these prevention tips:
-
Keep outdoor lights off to avoid attracting flying insects, which in turn attract spiders
-
If you want to keep outdoor lights on, replace the bulbs with yellow bug lights
-
Seal cracks and gaps in siding and trim to prevent spiders from getting inside
-
Reduce water sources around your yard
-
Use natural repellents around doors and windows
-
Get routine professional perimeter treatments
So, Should You Worry About Spiders in Tennessee?
99 times out of 100, you don’t need to worry about spiders around your Tennessee yard. Most of them are harmless, and they help reduce insect populations on your property.
Only two spider species in Tennessee pose a real medical risk, and both are reclusive and not aggressive. You will rarely, if ever, come into contact with these two spider species, but knowing how to identify them can provide you with further peace of mind.
Still Not Convinced? Give All-American Pest Control a Call
Even if you know you don’t have anything to worry about, sometimes our fears are our fears. If you want extra peace of mind that everything possible is being done to keep spiders away from your house, give All-American Pest Control a call. We’re also available if you start seeing more spiders than normal or if you find venomous spiders on your property. We’ve been solving spider problems for over 60 years and our Complete Care coverage is perfect for homeowners who want spiders and the yard pests that attract them to be taken care of for good. Get in touch with us today to get started.
Comprehensive Pest Control Solutions in Nashville, TN & Nearby Areas
Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.
We proudly serve: Brentwood, Centerville, Fairview, Thompson’s Station, Arrington, Leiper’s Fork, Windstone, Westhaven, McKay’s Mill, Ladd Park, Rizer Point, Silver Stream, Annandale, Canterbury, Governors Club, Avalon, LaurelBrooke, Belle Vista, Lockwood Glen, Lookaway Farms, Maplewood, McLemore Farms, Meadowview Estates, College Grove, Franklin, Nolensville, Primm Springs, as well as the entire Williamson County and Greater Nashville areas.
For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or schedule a free home evaluation online.