Common NY Spiders

There are around 35,000 to 40,000 species of spider in the world, depending on who you ask. In North America, we have somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,500. Fortunately, not all spiders are considered pests. Some never step even 1 of their 8 feet in our homes. But, if there was a list of repeat-offenders, these are the spiders that would continually make the list.

Wolf Spiders

The most notable trait of the wolf spider is that they do not build a web. These spiders have great eyesight, and they use their eyes to hunt their prey. This can bring them into manufactured structures. If you find a moderately large brown spider with 2 dark stripes on its back, just under its head, you are probably looking at a wolf spider. A bite from this spider may sting a little, but it will not produce much of a wound.

Jumping Spiders

As their name implies, jumping spiders can jump. Not only can they jump, but they have also been measured to jump as much as 25 times their own height. This is definitely not a spider you want to have around if you have a heart condition. The most recognizable trait of a jumping spider is its thick body and thick legs, which give it the look of a tarantula. While it is quite disturbing that this spider may turn and look at you when you approach, it is not likely to attack a human because it has good eyesight. It prefers much smaller prey.

American House Spider

If you have tiny webs in the high corners of your living room, bathroom, or hallways, there is a good chance that this is the spider that made them. There is a reason the American house spider has this name. This spider loves to live with us. And, the reason you keep seeing all of those webs is because the American house spider creates, and tends to, several webs to get enough food to fill its tiny belly.

Orb Web Spiders

Having the word web in its name, you would expect the orb web spider to craft a beautiful web--and it does not disappoint. This spider makes a web that is probably the inspiration for those beautiful webs we see at Halloween. You're not likely to find an orb web spider inside. They prefer to live outside. Your kitchen isn't likely to have large enough insects for this spider to be satisfied. They prefer big insects, like moths. For this reason, they will establish the large, intricate webs near outside light sources where moths and other bugs flutter around. The orb web spider has even been known to capture and consume hummingbirds and frogs. But, it is mostly harmless to humans, and it does not have a venom that is considered medically important.

Brown Recluse and Black Widow

Though rare, it is possible to find a brown recluse or black widow inside man-made structures in New York. Most often, this happens when they hitch a ride inside a box that has been shipped from a state that these spiders have established themselves in

Yellow Sac Spider

The only medically important spider that is established in New York is the yellow sac spider. It can cause a wound similar to the brown recluse. In fact, quite often, a bite from this spider is misdiagnosed as a brown recluse bite because it can have necrotic properties. They are, however, only moderately poisonous to humans, and bites don't always result in itchy ulcerous sores that are slow to heal.

Talk To A Spider Control Professional

If you need help managing the spiders in and around your New York home, a year-round pest control plan from Parkway Pest Services is the way to go. Our year-round service plan covers over 30 common household pests, including spiders. Reach out to us today to set up an appointment.