Most spiders are harmless. The two that are not, brown recluse and black widow, both live in the Ozarks. Know the difference. Treat accordingly.
Spiders are beneficial outdoors and generally not a threat indoors, but two species in our region, the brown recluse and the black widow, carry medically significant venom. Beyond those two, the rest are nuisance spiders whose webs and egg sacs are more of an eyesore than a danger. Our approach is identification first, then targeted treatment.
The one everyone worries about, and for good reason. Light to medium brown, about the size of a quarter leg to leg, with a dark violin shape on the back. Prefers dark, undisturbed spaces like basements, attics, closets, and stored boxes. Bites are rare but can cause necrotic lesions.
Shiny jet black with the red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. Builds irregular webs in sheds, woodpiles, outdoor outlets, and basement corners. Less aggressive than brown recluse but a bite requires medical attention.
Large, fast, hairy, and scary looking, but essentially harmless to humans. Often confused with brown recluse because of the brown coloring. Does not build webs, hunts on the ground.
Long skinny legs, tiny body, cobweb builder. Completely harmless. Often in basements and garages.
Classic wheel shaped web builder. Beneficial outdoors, catches mosquitos and flies. We leave exterior orb weavers alone unless they are webbing up entry doors.
We perform a full interior and exterior perimeter treatment, target cracks and voids where recluse harbor, remove accessible webs and egg sacs, and apply a residual barrier at entry points. For brown recluse specifically, we treat baseboards, closets, and storage spaces with a targeted residual that lasts months.
Brown recluse and black widow are active year round indoors. Outdoor spider pressure peaks in late summer and fall. Most spider calls come between August and October when mature spiders are most visible.
We are ready to help. Call Rachel or send a quick form, either way you get a real response from a real person.
