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If you live in Tennessee, you’ve probably spotted a spider or two around your home. Most are harmless, but two species deserve extra caution: the brown recluse and the black widow. These venomous spiders can deliver painful bites that may cause serious symptoms, so it’s important to know how to identify them and what to do if you see one.
While seeing just one of these spiders doesn’t necessarily mean you have an infestation, it’s a sign to be careful. Here’s what every Tennessee homeowner should know.
Are Brown Recluse and Black Widow Spiders Common in Tennessee?
Yes. Both brown recluse and black widow spiders are common across Middle Tennessee, especially in our humid, subtropical climate. They’re most active during summer — their mating season.
These spiders prefer dark, undisturbed places such as woodpiles, garages, basements, attics, closets, and sheds.
How to Identify a Brown Recluse Spider
Brown recluse spiders are small, light to dark brown, and measure about ½ inch long. The key identifier? A dark violin-shaped marking just behind the head.
Other features:
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Six eyes arranged in pairs (though you shouldn’t get close enough to count!)
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Thin legs and a plain abdomen
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Irregular, messy webs used for shelter rather than catching prey
Brown recluse webs often appear in secluded corners, storage boxes, or behind furniture.
How to Identify a Black Widow Spider
Black widow spiders are easier to spot due to their shiny, bulbous black bodies and distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside.
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Females can measure up to 1.5 inches including leg span.
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Males are smaller, lighter in color, and not considered dangerous.
Like the brown recluse, black widows prefer quiet corners, but they do use their webs for catching food as well as shelter.
What to Do If You Spot One
If you see a brown recluse or black widow spider in your home or around your property, your first instinct is probably to run for the hills or squish it, but we suggest you do neither of those things.
Don’t try to touch the spider because they are fast, and a defensive bite can happen quickly. From a safe distance, take a photo of the spider for identification. You can upload to us here. Our bug pros can let you know which species of spider you’re dealing with. Make sure to take note of where you found the spider.
What If You’re Bitten?
First, don’t panic, but seek medical attention soon. Even if symptoms are mild at first. Some effects of spider bites may take hours to appear.
Brown recluse bite symptoms include:
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Pain, redness, and swelling at the site within hours
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Blistering around the bite
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Ulceration and possible tissue damage
Black widow spider bite symptoms include:
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Immediate or delayed sharp pain at the site of the bite
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Muscle pain or spasms
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Fever, tremors or labored breathing
How to Prevent Dangerous Spiders Around Your Home
Hopefully, you won’t run into any brown recluse or black widow spiders around your home, but if you do, there is good news. There are things you can do to minimize the likelihood of encountering these spiders. We recommend the following prevention tips to keep dangerous spiders away from your house:
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Keep storage areas clean and uncluttered
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Store firewood off the ground and away from your house
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Maintain your lawn and landscaping by removing debris and trimming trees and bushes
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Seal cracks and gaps in windows, doors, and foundations
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Shake out shoes, towels, and gloves before use
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Use glue traps in quiet corners or attic spaces
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Reduce other pest populations that serve as a food source for spiders
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Get routine spider control
How All-American Pest Handles Spider Concerns
Depending on the spider issue around your house, All-American Pest Control offers several options to help you protect your family. We have over 60 years of experience identifying and eliminating brown recluse and black widow spiders.
Our brown recluse reduction service is designed to minimize the brown recluse spider population around your property through a combination of monitoring, inspection, pest control material application, spider habitat reduction, and sometimes, alterations of the structure and/or landscape.
It’s important to note that complete elimination of brown recluse populations isn’t possible, but with routine service, you’ll have the best protection available and it will be unlikely that you’ll encounter brown recluse spiders.
Contact All-American for Full-Service Spider Protection
Don’t let venomous spiders put your family at risk. Call All-American Pest Control for a free home evaluation. We’ll identify any active species, recommend a treatment plan, and provide ongoing protection with options like our Perimeter Plus, Complete Care, or Green Pest Control services.
Contact us today to schedule your free home evaluation
Comprehensive Pest Control Solutions 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: Arrington, Christiana, Lascassas, LaVergne, Nolensville, Readyville, Rockvale, Smyrna, Barfield, Murfreesboro, Blansett Meadows, Deerfield, Fairfield Estates, Scottland Acres, Steeplechase Meadows, Stones River, Walterhill, Eagleville, Milton, as well as the entire Rutherford County and Greater Murfreesboro 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.