Venomous Spiders in Texas
Venomous spiders are a concern in Texas, posing risks to both residents and visitors. Understanding these spiders, their habitats, and how to identify them is crucial for safety.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the primary venomous spiders in Texas to be aware of are the black widow and the brown recluse. Texas is full of pests, but luckily, there are only these two types of spiders to be wary of. Many spiders may look intimidating, but they are actually harmless and even beneficial.
Poisonous vs. Venomous: What’s the Difference?
- Venomous animals inject toxins into you (through a bite, sting, or spine).
- Example: Black widows and brown recluses are venomous—they deliver venom via fangs.
- Poisonous animals make you sick if you touch or eat them because their tissues or skin contain toxins.
- Example: Some toxic frogs or plants are poisonous—the toxin is absorbed or ingested, not injected.
Quick memory trick: Venom is injected; poison is ingested or absorbed. Spiders are correctly called venomous, not poisonous.
1. Brown Recluse Spiders
Where Do Brown Recluse Spiders Live?
Brown recluses prefer dry, undisturbed areas with plenty of hiding spots. Indoors, check closets, attics, basements, cardboard boxes, stored clothing/linens, and behind furniture. Outside, they shelter in woodpiles, sheds, stacked lumber, and debris. Most bites happen when a spider is pressed against skin in clothing, towels, or bedding that’s been sitting for a while.
How Big Are Brown Recluse Spiders?
Adults are typically ¼–½ inch in body length (legs make them look larger). They’re uniform tan to dark brown with long, fine legs and a sometimes-faint violin-shaped mark on the head area. Compared to wolf spiders, recluses look smoother and slimmer (not shaggy or robust).
What Are the Symptoms of a Brown Recluse Spider Bite?
- Early hours: mild stinging or redness at the bite site.
- 24–48 hours: increasing pain/swelling; sometimes a blister that may progress to a localized ulcer.
- Less common systemic signs: fever, chills, nausea, fatigue.
Seek medical care promptly if pain worsens, symptoms spread, or you notice tissue breakdown—especially for children, older adults, or anyone with underlying conditions.
How to Get Rid of Brown Recluse Spiders
- Declutter and Store Smart: Use sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard; shake out rarely used clothing/linens.
- Seal Entry Points: Install door sweeps; caulk gaps around utility lines, windows, and trim.
- Reduce Prey: Control indoor insects to make your home less attractive.
- Monitors & Targeted Treatments: Sticky traps help locate activity. Licensed professionals can apply residuals and dusts into voids, attics, and harborages that DIY sprays can’t reach safely.
- Maintain Prevention: Keep storage tidy, store firewood off the ground and away from walls, and re-inspect high-risk spots seasonally.
If you are bitten by a brown recluse spider, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
2. Black Widow Spiders
Where Do Black Widows Live?
Black widows favor dark, quiet, ground-level areas. Common sites include meter boxes, garages, sheds, crawl spaces, under steps and patio furniture, rock walls, stacked firewood, and rarely used play equipment.
What Does a Black Widow Spider Look Like?
Adult females are shiny black with a red (sometimes orange) hourglass on the underside of the abdomen. Their webs are irregular and messy, often near the ground. Juveniles start brownish with light markings and darken as they mature; males are smaller and less frequently encountered.
What Does a Black Widow Spider Bite Look Like?
You might see two small punctures with immediate sharp pain or burning. There may be localized redness and swelling, but the more important effects are often systemic (see below). Keep the person calm, wash the area, and contact a medical professional—especially for vulnerable individuals.
What Happens If You Get Bit by a Black Widow?
Venom can cause muscle cramps (often abdomen or back), sweating, headache, nausea, and widespread pain within hours. Severe outcomes are uncommon, but children, older adults, and those with certain health conditions are at higher risk. Seek medical attention promptly if a black widow bite is suspected.
Just like with brown recluses, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention if you are bitten by a black widow spider.
Are Tarantulas Venomous?
While Texas tarantulas do have venom, it is not dangerous to humans. The effects of a tarantula bite are usually comparable to those of a bee sting, causing mild pain, redness, and swelling at the bite site. Tarantulas also release urticating hairs when they feel threatened. These hairs can cause skin irritation and can be particularly troublesome if they come into contact with the eyes or respiratory system.
Stay Protected With Big M Pest Control
Encountering venomous spiders like the brown recluse or black widow can be alarming, which is why you need a professional team on your side. Big M Pest Control offers professional spider control services in Texas to help you maintain a safe and spider-free environment. Contact us today for a free quote!
We offer pest control services in Ingleside, Corpus Christi, and throughout the Texas Coastal Bend.