cellar spiders hanging from a ceiling

Innocent until proven guilty is a phrase you have most likely heard before. It is often used in courts to describe people who have been accused of a crime. With spiders, this phrase is turned right on its head. Think about it, are spiders not guilty until proven innocent? Even if spiders aren't dangerous, they can be big and scary which drives most people to avoid them at all costs. The crazy thing is, less than 30 species of spiders out of 43,000 have been associated with human deaths. In America, there are only two species whose venomous bite can be deadly. That being said, how can you know if the spiders around your Reno property are dangerous or not?

What Are Spiders?

Chances are you know what spiders look like. You learned about them in Biology class in school, you have seen them in scary movies, and you have most likely encountered some out in the wild and inside your home.

If you do not know much about spiders, spiders are eight- legged arthropods that live primarily off a diet of insects and even other spiders. Some spiders build intricate webs out of silk to catch their prey while others hunt from the ground and cannot produce silk at all. Spiders also have venom which they use to kill their prey. Fortunately, only the venom of a few spider species is harmful to humans. To help you identify dangerous spiders from harmless ones, here is a brief description of common spiders from around the Reno area.

House Spiders (Harmless): House spiders are yellowish-brown in color and have dirty white abdomens as well as dark stripes that meet at an angle on their body. House spiders can grow to be anywhere from 1/8 to 5/16 of an inch in length.

Cellar Spiders (Harmless): Cellar spiders are pale yellow to light brown or gray and are known for their long protruding legs. A typical cellar spider can grow to be upwards of ⅜ of an inch in length.

Jumping Spiders (Harmless): Jumping spiders are typically black, grey, or tan, and have pale markings on their bodies. These spiders can grow to be anywhere from ⅛ to ¾ of an inch in length.

Wolf Spiders (Mostly Harmless): Wolf spiders are dark brown but can be sometimes yellow. Bigger than other spiders, wolf spiders can grow to be upwards of 1 ⅜ inch in length. Wolf spiders can bite humans, but their venom is not potent enough to cause any serious harm.

Black Widow (Dangerous): Black widows are deep black color and have a distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of their abdomen. A black widow can grow to be upwards of 1 ⅜ inch in length and has a bite that can send you to the hospital.

Brown Recluse (Dangerous): Commonly mistaken for other common spiders, the brown recluse can be identified by its light to dark brown body and the dark-colored violin-shaped mark just behind its head. 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length, these dangerous spider bites can leave deep ulcers under the skin and cause a severe amount of pain and discomfort.

Six Prevention Tips For Spiders

The best way to avoid a spider problem is to exercise some preventative measures that make your Reno home less attractive to these pests. Here are six tips that will help you keep spiders and other pests away.

Seal gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior using a caulking gun.
Repair or replace ripped or torn window/door screens.
Make sure all of your exterior doors are equipped with door sweeps.
Invest in insect-resistant light bulbs for the exterior of your home.
Keep your home clean and clutter-free.
Store leftover foods inside airtight containers.

What To Do If Spiders Get Into Your Home

If spiders have gotten into your home, and you are looking for a quick way to get them out, let the professionals here at Pestmaster^® Services lend a helping hand. We have the tools and experience to rid your home of spiders and keep it that way for good. Sign up for pest control today and make sure your property is protected!

Give us a call today for more information about our services. If you have been bitten by a dangerous spider, be sure to call a doctor right away.