Common West Virginia Spiders and How to Get Rid of Them
If you're like most people, the sight of a spider sends shivers down your spine. And if you live in West Virginia, there's a good chance you've seen quite a few spiders around your home and property. While most spiders are harmless, some can be quite dangerous. In this blog post, we'll discuss common spiders in West Virginia, what they look like, what they're attracted to, and how to get rid of them!
What are common spiders in West Virginia?
There are many different types of spiders that can be found in West Virginia, but some of the most common species of spiders include:
- Black widow spider
- Brown recluse spider
- Cellar spider spider
- House spider
- Bold jumping spider
- Yellow sac spider
- Six-spotted fishing spider
- False widow spider
- Crab spider
- Wolf spider
- Broad-Faced Sac spider
- Doily spiders
What do these common West Virginia spiders look like?
Black widow spider
The black widow spider is the most recognizable of all West Virginia spiders. It has a shiny black color with a red hourglass-shaped marking on its abdomen. It also has long spindly legs and is small in size, measuring around 1/2 inch.
Brown recluse spider
It has a light brown color and a distinct violin-shaped mark on its back. Its legs are long and slender, and it is usually about 1/2 inch in size. The brown recluse spider prefers dark, secluded areas such as woodpiles and basements, and it is rarely seen during the day.
Cellar spider spider
The cellar spider is a common West Virginia spider that can be found in dark, damp places such as cellars and basements. It has long, thin legs and a small body measuring around 1/2 inch in size. It also has a pale yellowish color with dark stripes running down its back.
House spider
The house spider is a common West Virginia spider found in homes and other buildings. It is usually grayish-brown with a yellow or white stripe running down its back. House spiders are relatively small, measuring around 1/2 inch in size. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas such as attics, garages, and closets.
Bold jumping spider
The Bold jumping spider is a common West Virginia spider that can be found in homes and yards. It has an iridescent black or brown body with white spots and stripes, and it can grow up to 3/8 inch in size. It has distinctive large eyes that allow it to see prey from a distance, as well as long legs for leaping onto its unsuspecting victims. These spiders are active during the day, and they primarily feed on insects.
Yellow sac spider
The yellow sac spider is a common West Virginia spider that can be found in homes and yards. It has an elongated body with yellow or white stripes running down its back, and it can grow up to 1/2 inch in size. Its legs are long and slender, and it is usually seen during the night. Yellow sac spiders spin webs in sheltered areas such as corners of windows and door frames, and they primarily feed on other spiders and insects.
Six-spotted fishing spider
The six-spotted fishing spider is a common West Virginia spider that can be found around ponds, streams, and wet areas. It has a brown or grey body with white stripes, and it can grow up to 1 inch in size. Its legs are long and slender, and it is usually seen during the day. The six-spotted fishing spider can swim on the surface of the water, and it primarily feeds on small aquatic insects.
False widow spider
The false widow spider is a common West Virginia spider that can be found in homes and yards. It has an elongated black body with white markings, and it can grow up to 1/4 inch in size. It has long spindly legs and is usually seen during the night. False widow spiders are active hunters that feed on other insects, and they prefer warm places such as attics and basements.
Crab spider
The crab spider is a common West Virginia spider that can be found in gardens and fields. It has a brown or gray body with white stripes, and it can grow up to 1/2 inch in size. Its legs are long and slender, and it is usually seen during the day. Crab spiders feed on other insects such as flies and bees, and they typically stay still until prey comes near them.
Wolf spider
The wolf spider is a common West Virginia spider that can be found in homes and yards. It has a mottled brown or grey body with white stripes, and it can grow up to 1-2 inches in size. Its legs are long and spindly, and it is usually seen during the night. Wolf spiders are active hunters who feed on other insects, and they prefer dark, undisturbed areas such as attics and garages.
Broad-Faced Sac spider
The Broad-Faced Sac spider is a common West Virginia spider that can be found in homes and yards. It has a pale yellowish or greyish body, with dark stripes running down its back, and it can grow up to 1/4 inch in size. Its legs are long and slender, and it is usually seen during the night.
Doily spiders
The doily spider is a common West Virginia spider that can be found in homes and yards. It has a white or yellow body with intricate dark markings, and it can grow up to 1/2 inch in size. Its legs are long and slender, and it is usually seen during the night.
Why you're getting a lot of spiders in your West Virginia house
Spiders are getting into your house for a variety of reasons. One reason is that they're looking for food. Spiders like to eat other bugs, such as mosquitoes, cockroaches, and silverfish. If you have a lot of these pests in your home, you're likely to also have spiders.
Another reason spiders might be coming into your home is in search of shelter. They want to be able to hide away where they feel safe. If you have cracks in your foundation, spiders might be making their way into your basement and eventually up the stairs into other parts of the house.
What do these common West Virginia spiders eat?
Most West Virginia spiders feed on small insects and other arthropods. Some species of spiders that live in homes also feed on flies, moths, ants, and other small bugs. Black widow spiders are known to feed on larger prey such as mice and lizards.
How do you prevent spiders from coming in your West Virginia home?
There are a few things you can do to help keep spiders out of your home. One is to seal up any cracks or openings in your foundation, walls, or doors with caulk. You can also use weather stripping around doors and windows. Make sure that there's no clutter near the outside of your house where spiders might be able to easily make a home. You can also use a spider control service to help keep spiders out of your home.
How do you know if it's a venomous spider?
It can be difficult to identify whether or not a spider is venomous, but there are some key characteristics that can help you determine if it's a dangerous species. The black widow is one of the most commonly encountered venomous spiders in West Virginia. It has a shiny black body and a red hourglass shape on its abdomen. The brown recluse is also quite common in West Virginia, and it has a distinct violin-shaped pattern on its back. There's no telltale sign that the spider is venomous, so identification is key when dealing with these pests.
What's the difference between male and female spiders in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, male and female spiders can be difficult to differentiate at first glance. However, there are certain physical characteristics that can help you identify the gender of a spider. Female spiders tend to be larger than males and often have much longer legs. Additionally, females may have more distinctive coloration on their bodies such as black stripes or spots. Male spiders typically have smaller bodies and shorter legs than their female counterparts.
When should you call a professional spider control company?
If you're finding spiders inside your home, and you're not sure how to get rid of them, it's best to call a professional. They will be able to identify the species of spider and help you come up with a plan to exterminate them. If there are large numbers of spiders or if they're in an area that's difficult to reach Petti Pest Control can help you out.