Even if you don’t have full-blown arachnophobia (the fear of spiders), if you’re like most people, you probably don’t like thinking about this 8-legged pest lurking around your home. That’s pretty normal as a fear of spiders is rooted in our biology.
It’s believed that humans are predisposed to certain fears (like spiders) because, during our ancestral age, young children learned not to pick up potentially venomous creatures. In other words, we’re “wired” to be weary of these pests.
While most of the types of spiders in Ohio are not venomous, we do have some potentially dangerous ones. And even non-venomous spiders aren’t something that you want hanging around your home.
In this article, we’ll dive into some of the common house spiders in Ohio as well as some of the lesser common ones…and what you can do about them.
Identifying Spiders in Ohio
There are hundreds of species of spiders that can be found in Ohio. Let’s talk about five of the more commonly known types.
#1: The Common House Spider
The common house spider gets its name because, as you guessed it, it’s commonly found in homes. This spider is also known as the “American House Spider.” These are the brown, tan, or grayish spiders that are about the size of a nickel. Chances are you’ve seen many of these in your lifetime.
These spiders prefer damp spaces like basements and crawl spaces. They are also known for their web creations so if you find a lot of webs in your home, you likely have one or more of the Common House Spider hanging around.
#2: Daddy Longlegs
Daddy Longlegs, aka “Harvestmen spiders,” have small bodies and are known for their long legs (just as the name implies). But did you know that Daddy Longlegs are not technically spiders?
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Unlike spiders, they have a fused body form and they lack silk and venom glands.
Even so, they often show up on lists of common house spiders in Ohio as these arachnids do frequently show up in people’s homes (and most people think they’re spiders). Although this bug is harmless, we know it’s one that gives a lot of people the “creeps” and they’d rather not see them scurrying around.
#3: Wolf Spiders
Wolf Spiders are among the most common types of spiders in Ohio. Actually, “Wolf Spider” is the grouping and there are multiple species within this category.
Many types of Wolf Spiders can grow quite large and are even sometimes mistaken for tarantulas.
While Wolf Spiders typically prefer to stay outside, they will sometimes make their way into a home in search of shelter or food.
It is possible to be allergic to a Wolf Spider’s venom and since many types of Wolf Spider can be large, their bites can be painful. They don’t typically bother humans and are likely more afraid of you than you are of them. But given their size, people are often unnerved by this spider.
#4: Brown Recluse
Another type of spider found in Ohio is the Brown Recluse.
The Brown Recluse spider is known for its ability to hide (hence its name!). It doesn’t actually want to be around people. While the Brown Recluse spider is not out to bite people (it will likely do what it can to avoid you), a bite can be dangerous. A bite from a Brown Recluse will require medical attention.
#5: Black Widow
Of the types of spiders in Ohio, this is the one that we know people fear most. Ohio has seen two different Black Widow species: The Southern Black Widow and the Northern Black Widow.
The Black Widow is the most venomous spider in Ohio. While they do have highly toxic venom, these pests are not aggressive and only bite defensively. Black Widow spiders prefer dim-lit locations and have been known to find their way into basements, attics, and closets.
How to Keep Spiders Out of Your House
Now that you know a little bit more about some of the types of spiders in Ohio you might be looking for ways to keep spiders out of the house.
It’s really not that easy to keep spiders and other small pests out. They can often find the tiniest cracks in your home to come inside. But you can make your home a little less inviting by keeping landscaping cleaned up (most pests hide there in the first place) and making sure cracks around your foundation are sealed.
You can also look for other potential entry points and make sure they’re sealed.
But because spiders are quite stealthy, most will make their way inside without you even knowing. That’s why one of the best ways to keep spiders out of the house is to invest in perimeter pest control.
By investing in perimeter pest control services, you’re basically putting a “shield” around your home that will not only keep spiders away but keep other pests out, too. This includes earwigs, ants, silverfish, pill bugs, and centipedes. That’s all of the different creepy crawlies that you really don’t want lurking about your home.
Choosing Perimeter Pest Control in Cincinnati, Dayton, OH and Northern Kentucky.
When it comes to getting all the benefits of perimeter pest control services, you want to choose an outdoor pest control company that you can trust.
At Oasis Turf & Tree, we have an effective treatment program that helps keep unwanted pests, like spiders, out of your home. Whether venomous or not, we know that spiders can cause people a lot of anxiety and they don’t want to have to worry. You deserve to be able to rest and relax in your home without being concerned about finding spiders.
By creating a shield around your home with perimeter pest control services, you can gain peace of mind that your home is protected.
If you’d like to learn more about perimeter pest control for your Cincinnati, Dayton, OH, or Northern Kentucky home, call us at 513-697-9090 or get your quote online and help us find the program that is best for you, then sit back and relax knowing these pests are being kept away.
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