No one likes to see spiders in their home, but it’s essential to understand which of these eight-legged pests is dangerous for you and your family. After all, making this distinction will make it easier for you to determine whether or not it’s appropriate to scream when a tiny arachnid unexpectedly appears in your living room.
The Most Dangerous Spiders in Texas
There have been several news stories about venomous spiders finding their way to unexpected regions by hitching a ride in produce. However, for the most part, Houston residents only need to worry about two dangerous arachnid family members. Unfortunately, both terrifying pests have a habit of being found indoors and outdoors. Because of this, you should take the time to familiarize yourself with the brown recluse and the black widow.
Black Widow: The venom that the black widow injects into its intended prey is a highly dangerous neurotoxin that has led to human fatalities in rare cases. The female is easily identified due to its rounded abdomen, yellowish or reddish underside hourglass design, and jet-black color. Male black widows can be much more challenging to identify because they are brown, smaller than the females of their species, and generally bland.
Brown Recluse: This golden brown spider can be easily identified due to its head region’s brown or black fiddle-shaped pattern. Brown recluses build their homes in garages and basements, and their bite can cause systematic or localized reactions.
Will These Spiders Attack Me?
Whether you have arachnophobia or startle easily, it can be frightening to come across a black widow or brown recluse spider. Fortunately, neither of these dangerous spider pests tends to be aggressive. However, this doesn’t mean that they will not bite you, so you still need to give them a respectful distance. In many cases, victims of these spiders inadvertently stumble upon their homes, making them feel so threatened that they lash out.
Do I Need to Worry About Any Other Spiders?
There are approximately 980 different spider species living in Texas, including tarantulas. Fortunately, the vast majority of these pests are completely harmless. This doesn’t mean you have to live with them, and it makes sense for families with children or spider-phobic adults to contact a pest control company for assistance. If you’re dealing with this problem, contact ABC Home & Commercial Services in Houston to quickly make your home pest free.