Spiders in Lexington, KY - IPM Pest & Termite

Kentucky is home to miles of beautiful horse farms, open fields of bluegrass, and many mountains and lakes that provide plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors. Unfortunately, these outdoor spaces also provide homes to many different species of insects and pests, including spiders. These spiders enter our homes through open or poorly screened windows and doors or gaps around windows and doorframes in hunt of food and water. A majority of the spiders that take up residence in our Kentucky homes are harmless; however, two species can be dangerous to humans.

• Black Widow – The black widow is a medically dangerous spider that lives in Kentucky. All black widow spiders have a nearly spherical, glossy black abdomen. The adult females have a red marking on the top and bottom of the abdomen, which is the most characteristic marking on these spiders. The bites from a black widow are very dangerous, but luckily, the black widow does not typically bite unless provoked or handled. Black widow spiders tend to hide in outdoor locations, woodpiles, rock piles, firewood, or dark corners of a garage.
  
• Brown Recluse – The brown recluse is the second medically dangerous spider that resides in Kentucky, and more specifically Western Kentucky. Brown recluse spiders can be identified by their solid tan to dark brown color with a dark distinguishing violin-shaped mark on the top of their back. Brown recluse spiders do not have any banding or stripes. Like the black widow, the bites are very serious, but the brown recluse tends to not attack unless provoked. These spiders generally live in hidden locations both indoors and outdoors.
  
• House Spider – The house spider is a common Kentucky spider that is about the size of a nickel. This brown and tan spider with dark brown patterns is generally found in their messy webs. House spiders have a nontoxic bite, unless the person is allergic.
  
• Jumping Spider – Slightly smaller than the house spider, the jumping spider is about the size of a dime. These spiders come in a variety of different colors and usually have large eyes with a flat-face look. Jumping spiders are quick and jerky in their movements, but are harmless to humans, unless the person is allergic.
  
• Orb Weaver Spider – There are several different species of orb weaver spiders that range in size. Orb weaver spiders can be distinguished by their unique web construction. These spiders create organized, circular, grid-like webs.
  
• Purse Web Spider – The purse web spider is about the size of a half dollar with a shiny black color and a low, flat body. These spiders mostly reside in Kentucky forests, so they are rarely seen in homes. However, if they do end up in your home, they are often mistaken for the black widow spider. But, purse web spiders lack the distinguishing red markings that the black widow spider has on its abdomen.
  
• Yellow Sac Spider – The yellow sac spider is about the size of a nickel with tan legs and a yellow abdomen. These spiders are very common in Kentucky homes. Also, the yellow sac spider is often mistaken for the brown recluse because of their similar body shape, but they have a different body coloring than the brown recluse.
  
• Wolf Spider – The wolf spider ranges in size from the size of a pencil eraser to the size of a silver dollar. They can also range in color with either light or dark brown bodies with contrasting stripes. Because of their appearance and size, wolf spiders are often confused with brown recluse spiders. But, wolf spiders have contrasting stripes, and brown recluse spiders are a solid color. Wolf spiders are fast runners and are typically spotted running on the ground.

Once you have spiders in your home, it can be difficult to get rid of them. The best way to remove spiders is to contact a professional pest control company, such as our team of professionals at IPM Pest and Termite. Contact us today to see how we can help you get rid of spiders in Lexington.