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Tennessee is home to over 40 different species of spiders. With that many different types wandering around, it's a valid concern to wonder how many of them pose a danger to you and your family. The good news is that, among the spider species in Tennessee, only a handful pose a medical concern for humans. Most Tennessee spiders are harmless. In fact, most spiders are actually beneficial since they reduce other pest populations.
Despite the small population of dangerous spiders in Tennessee, it’s still important to be able to identify them in case they show up around your house. All-American Pest Control has been dealing with spiders for decades and has gathered all the information you need to know about the spiders you’re most likely to encounter, which ones deserve extra caution, and how to reduce spider activity around your house.
Which Tennessee Spiders Are Considered Dangerous?
Two spider species in Tennessee are considered medically significant: The brown recluse and the black widow. Both spiders are venomous, so if you get bitten, you’re likely to first experience pain, swelling, and redness at the site of the bite.
With brown recluse bites, more serious symptoms can develop that include ulceration and necrosis of the tissue around the bite. In rare cases, a whole-body reaction can occur. In the case of a black widow bite, you may develop muscle cramping, fever, and trouble breathing.
Both brown recluse and black widow bites require immediate medical attention.
Although both of these spider species are dangerous when encountered, the good news is that bites from either spider are rare. Both prefer to avoid humans, so they typically live in secluded areas away from people and pets. They’re most likely to bite when they feel trapped or are accidentally disturbed.
How Can You Identify a Brown Recluse Spider?
Brown recluse spiders range in size from ¼ to ¾ of an inch in length. They have bodies that can be tan or brown with a violin-shaped marking on their backs, just behind their heads. Unlike most spiders, brown recluse spiders have six eyes instead of eight.
Because they prefer to remain away from a lot of activity, when they move into homes, brown recluse spiders are most likely to find a spot that is dark and undisturbed. Common hiding places include:
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Closets
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Attics
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Basements
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Cardboard boxes
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Storage areas
How Can You Identify a Black Widow?
Female black widow spiders are about an inch and a half in length. They have shiny black bodies with an orange or red hourglass shape on their bellies. They have venomous bites. Male black widows are about half the size of females, don’t have the hourglass marking, and are considered harmless.
Like brown recluse spiders, black widows prefer to live in low-traffic areas. If they get on your property, you’re most likely to find them:
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In woodpiles
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In garages
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In sheds
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Under outdoor furniture
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In low-traffic exterior areas
Which Common House Spiders Are Harmless?
Although it’s possible to find brown recluse or black widow spiders in or around your house, it’s far more likely that other common spiders will show up inside. Luckily, these other spiders are mostly harmless, so you don’t have to be concerned about your family’s health or safety if you see them. Although many spiders can bite, their bites only cause mild and temporary pain. Plus, they’ll typically only bite if they feel threatened, so it’s fairly rare to be bitten.
The harmless spiders you’re most likely to encounter in your Tennessee home include:
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American House Spiders- These small spiders only grow to about a quarter of an inch in size. They range in color from dirty white to yellow to brown and have chevron markings. You’ll often find these spiders in moisture-rich areas, like bathrooms, and in the corners of ceilings.
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Cellar Spiders (Daddy Longlegs)- Cellar spiders are frequently referred to as Daddy Longlegs because of their small bodies and long, thin legs. As their name indicates, these spiders are often found in basements and other cool, dark areas.
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Wolf Spiders- These spiders can be frightening to see in your house because of their large, hairy bodies and how fast they can run, but they aren’t dangerous. Wolf spiders often stay at ground level and you may see them running for cover under furniture.
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Jumping Spiders- Jumping spiders can be black, brown, gray, or tan. They have compact legs that allow them to jump up to 25 times their length. These spiders rarely get inside. If you find one indoors, it’s usually because it was carried inside.
Why Do Harmless Spiders End Up Inside Homes?
Spiders can get inside for a few reasons. Most often, they are following a food source. Spiders eat insects and will go to locations where they’re likely to catch insects. If they come inside and stay inside, it’s often an indication that you have other pest problems in your house.
Another reason spiders get indoors is that they need to escape unsuitable weather conditions. Seasonal changes, such as the temperature drop from summer to fall and fall to winter, often drive spiders inside. Drought-like conditions, extreme heat, or excess rain can also cause spiders to move indoors.
Sometimes spiders get inside by accident. They find a small opening in their travels that brings them into your house, so they wander around for a while before heading back outdoors. Many of the spiders you see in your house are simply there by accident and don’t have any intention of sticking around permanently.
Where Are Spiders Most Commonly Found Indoors?
If you do find spiders inside your house, you’ll likely see them in a handful of areas. Spiders aren’t interested in spending time in the areas where your family is constantly coming and going. Most spiders prefer to keep away from human contact. That’s why you’re most likely to encounter spider activity in the following areas:
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Basements
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Attics
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Garages
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Closets
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Crawl spaces
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Corners of ceilings
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Behind or in stored boxes
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Window frames
Not only do these areas allow spiders to remain mostly undisturbed, but they are also often good areas for them to find insect prey.
How Can You Reduce Spider Activity Around Your Home?
Even if the spiders in your house are harmless, you likely don’t want them inside. Thankfully, there are practical things you can do to reduce the chances of having spiders end up in your house. When you know why they get inside and where they tend to stay when indoors, you can implement some preventative measures to make it less likely that they’ll stick around.
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Reduce clutter to remove hiding spots
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Organize storage areas and use plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes
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Seal cracks and entry points to make it harder for spiders to get inside
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Repair damaged screens to reduce entry points
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Remove webs regularly
Why Is Controlling Other Pests an Important Part of Spider Prevention?
One of the most important things you can do to prevent spiders is to make sure that other pests are not present in your house. Spiders follow their food, so if you have insects in your house, spiders will show up as well.
In order to make it less likely that insects will enter your home, you need to implement preventative measures that reduce the things that attract them. Insects often get inside in search of food and water. By implementing good household management routines, you can reduce the likelihood of insects moving into your house. All-American Pest Control recommends:
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Storing food in sealed containers
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Taking out the trash regularly
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Wiping down counters and sweeping floors to remove spills and crumbs
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Washing dishes after each meal
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Addressing moisture issues and leaks throughout your house
When Should You Call a Professional About Spiders?
There is a difference between seeing a single spider crawling across your wall and finding spiders in your house on a regular basis. How do you know when spider sightings are no big deal and when they require a call to the pros at All-American? We recommend that you get in touch with us if:
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You’re seeing spiders throughout your home daily
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You’ve had a brown recluse or black widow sighting
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You notice numerous egg sacs or webs
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There are large spider populations despite cleaning
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You have uncertainty about a spider identification
If you see a spider that you think might be a brown recluse or black widow, you can give us a call.
When you contact the experts at All-American Pest Control, we’ll help identify the species, locate their hiding spots, and address the conditions that are supporting their continued activity. This ensures that we not only eliminate the current spider activity, but also address the underlying causes for the activity.
Call All-American Pest Control for Spider Control
If you’ve been experiencing recurring spider activity or are concerned about the possibility of venomous spider activity around your house, get in touch with us for a free home evaluation. This evaluation allows you to get free professional advice from experts in the field who can identify the species, provide valuable prevention tips, and recommend a long-term strategy to keep spiders out of your house for a safer, more comfortable home. Contact us today.
Reliable Pest Control in Nashville, TN & Nearby Neighborhoods
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: Cane Ridge Farms, Crieve Hall, Forest Hills, Green Hills, Hillwood, Lenox Village, Old Natchez, Sylvan Park, West Meade, White Bridge, Antioch, Donelson, Donelson Hills, Hermitage, Inglewood, Lockeland Springs, Maplecrest, Maplewood Heights, Nashboro Village, Neely's Bend, Priest Lake Park, Stewarts Ferry, and the entire Davidson 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 Consultation online.