Common Spiders in Nebraska
Spiders are among the most numerous of Nebraska's wild creatures. More than 625 different species may be found within the state. The more common ones are described here, along with some tips to get rid of spiders in your home.
Learn more about spiders in Nebraska:
How To Prevent Spiders Getting in Your Home
How To Get Rid of Spiders in Your Home
Types of Spiders in Nebraska
There are a few common household spiders that can be found in your home. Common types of spiders in Nebraska include:
Wolf Spider
The wolf spider is the most common spider in Nebraska, and one of the largest. It can be up to an inch long with legs extended. The body is tan or gray, while the head is covered with tufts of hair. Their eyes are arranged in two rows across the head. Wolf spiders come inside searching for prey and water in the fall. They are very fast and can run rapidly, but move slowly when chasing prey. Their bite feels like a bee sting, with some swelling around the area for up to an hour.
Brown Recluse
The brown recluse is most commonly found in Nebraska's southeastern counties. The brown recluse has a large, dark brown violin marking on its back. If the neck of the violin is not clear-cut and distinct, or if it has a white dot in the center, it is not a recluse. These spiders are very poisonous and their venom can cause necrosis of the skin around the bite, eventually killing the surrounding tissue.
Hobo Spiders
The hobo spider can be identified by its brown color with a bold pattern on its back. They normally remain outside in old wood piles, under rocks and logs. These spiders are not aggressive and will generally move away if they are disturbed.
Black Widow
Black widow spiders are easy to identify because of their shiny, black color and the red marking on their belly that looks like an hourglass. Their venom is fifteen times more poisonous than a rattlesnake's and can cause muscle cramps, nausea, breathing difficulty, and paralysis of the diaphragm.
Why Are Spiders In My House?
Spiders come into your home for a few reasons. One reason is food. Spiders are always hungry and they can smell the left-over crumbs in your kitchen or the pet food that was dropped on the floor. Another attraction to a home may be darkness. If there is not enough light inside or outside, spiders will find their way into homes because it's dark and warm. Spiders are also attracted to moist areas like the basement.
How To Prevent Spiders Getting In Your Home
A few tips we suggest to prevent spiders from getting into your home include:
- Caulk all entry points such as crevices around doors and windows.
- Keep your home clean of food crumbs and pet food on the ground.
- Fix leaky plumbing because spiders can sense moist areas.
How To Get Rid Of Spiders In Your Home
If you have a problem with spiders in your home, here are some simple things you can do to get rid of them. You can use pesticides or bug bombs, but be careful when using either one because there are harmful chemicals that could potentially hurt your family and pets.
If you continue to find spiders in your home, call the professionals at Midwest Pest! Our highly trained exterminators will make sure your home is pest-free so you can regain your peace of mind. Call us today at 402-524-5200.