8 Spiders Crawling Around Dallas

Dallas is home to many different species of spiders. Dallas is a semi-humid city, making it the perfect environment for spiders to thrive. Spiders can be pretty scary to find as there are both venomous and non-venomous species. Spiders are able to thrive inside the home, as well as in gardens, so make sure you clean up often to avoid any pest issues! Having an understanding of these species can make finding them a little less scary. Explore eight spides that you can find crawling around Dallas!

Venomous

Venomous spiders can be dangerous to humans when they bite. Symptoms can range from a itchy, swollen area similar to a mosquito, to muscle aches and spasms. While these spiders may be intimidating, keeping an eye out and knowing how to spot them can help keep you safe. Here are four venomous spiders to look out for.

Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans)

Black widow spiders are completely black with a red hourglass-esque symbol on their back. Black widows are well known and common to find in Dallas. A bite from a black widow can cause medical issues such as nausea, muscle spasms, troubled breathing, and more. Making sure your home and surroundings are in tip-top shape will prevent any black widows from finding a new home.

The black widow thrives in a home that already has a pest problem. Ants and cockroaches are common infestations, and black widows thrive on eating these pests. By taking action to prevent pests, you’ll be safe from the threat of black widows. Black widows thrive in humid and damp environments, so make sure your windows are closed on rainy days.

Brown Recluse (Loxosceles recluse)

Brown recluse spiders can be intimidating to deal with. They have a venomous bite that, in extreme cases, can cause tissue damage. Luckily, most of the time a bite will only result in an itchy, swollen area on the skin. Always be sure to seek medical attention though if bitten to be safe. Brown recluses thrive in areas of the home not often considered.

Brown recluses are burrowing spiders. This means that they like to hide away and not be seen. Within homes, brown recluses often hide beneath laundry piles and within shoes. To prevent brown recluses from taking over your home, make sure to store your laundry properly and clear out the inside of your shoes every once in a while.

Yellow Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium inclusum)

The yellow sac spider is a nocturnal spider that thrives in the night. Using their color and camouflage, these spiders can hunt in gardens in the quiet of the night. Yellow sac spiders are not of too much medical concern! The bites will be sore for a bit, but should not warrant any doctor’s visits. The symptoms of a yellow sac spider bite are swelling and itching. If bitten by an unknown spider, always lean on the side of safety and seek medical attention.

The yellow sac spider is yellow in color, making them blend in with the environment well. These spiders live outdoors and can be commonly found in gardens. You won’t often find them in the home, but in colder seasons, they take refuge in a well-heated home. Making sure that your home’s entryways are properly secured will keep the spiders out.

Brown Widow (Latrodectus geometricus)

The brown widow is similar to the black widow with the only appearance difference being the brown color. These spiders are shy around humans and avoid any interaction. They only bite when provoked. One interesting fact is that only female spiders bite, so male spiders are semi-safe to be around. These spiders are not medically threatening, but if your health is sensitive, take extra care. A bite will cause swelling and itching like other spiders.

The brown widow sets up its webs in places not often accessed by humans. Common spots are inside storage containers, underneath mailboxes, and in storage closets. By cleaning out these areas often, brown widow spiders will avoid your home. Making sure to clear out small areas will prevent any jump scares in the future.

Non-Venomous

Non-venomous spiders are safe to be around and won’t cause harm, but they can be pesky to deal with. Understanding where they set up webs will help to prevent any unwelcome guests from entering your home.

American House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)

The American house spider, also known as the common house spider, is a very common pest in Dallas. These spiders thrive off of catching prey, so they set up webs anywhere and everywhere. Similar to the black widow, making sure your home is pest-free from the start will prevent any of these spiders from setting up webs. The American house spider is not aggressive and avoids human interaction. Bites are also extremely uncommon given their shy nature. If you find an American house spider in your home, leaving a door open to leave is perfect.

Jumping Spider (Salticidae)

Given the name, jumping spiders get their name from the ability to jump. Jumping spiders are able to jump 10-50 times their own size, so a half-inch spider and jump about two feet! These spiders are one of the most intelligent spider species, and can even be pets. Their intelligence makes them able to hang out and play with humans and they do not often bite. Getting to know these spiders may help with any arachnophobia and change your perspective on spiders.

Orb Weaver Spider (Araneidae)

Orb weavers are what you normally think of when you see a spider web. Orb weavers spin large, circular webs to catch their prey. Webs can be up to six feet in diameter! These spiders have poor vision, so to catch their prey, they wait for vibrations on their web. These spiders are generally harmless and do not often bite. However, their large webs can be annoying to deal with. If bitten, symptoms are minimal so don’t fret too much!

Cellar Spider (Pholcidae)

Cellar spiders, often mistaken for daddy long-legs, are harmless spiders. These spiders are found everywhere in Dallas, and can be quite annoying to deal with. Just like the name, these spiders set up webs in areas that are darker and not often accessed such as cellars, garages, and basements. These spiders do have venom, but it does not pose a threat to humans if a bit. Because of their shy nature, they do not often interact with humans, but their webs can be annoying to deal with.

Summary of Spiders Found in Dallas

This article went over eight spiders crawling around Dallas. While not all the spiders on the list are venomous, if bitten, seek proper medical attention to ensure your safety. Below is a list compiling the spiders discussed. Keep an eye out for the spiders mentioned to stay safe!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/maria72

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