Referral line for Midland, Texas
Spider control in Midland, Texas
Most spiders can stay where they are. Black widows and brown recluses around the house are a good reason to call, and the number connects you with an independent company.
Calls answered: Early morning to late evening
| Looks like | Widow: glossy black, two reddish triangles under the abdomen. Recluse: brown, violin mark, six eyes. |
|---|---|
| Usually found | Widow: garages, sheds, meters, rain spouts. Recluse: boxes, closets, undisturbed storage. |
| Season | Black widows can be found all year in sheltered places. |
| Call when | You keep finding widows or recluses, or children and pets use the area. |
How to recognize spiders
AgriLife's spider guide says only two types in Texas are medically significant: the brown recluse and the widow spiders. Most others rarely bite and they eat other insects.
A black widow is usually glossy black with two reddish triangles on the underside and hangs upside down in a messy, strong web. A brown recluse is light to dark brown with a dark violin mark and six eyes and no spines on its legs. It hunts at night and uses its web as a retreat.
Why they show up here
Spiders go where insects go. In a place where crickets gather around lights each fall, the corners near those lights are full of food. Widows pick protected cavities and structures open to the outdoors: garages, ventilators, rain spouts and gas and electric meters. That list could describe the side of many houses here. AgriLife says they can be found all year in sheltered spots such as sheds, garages, attics and crawl spaces.
AgriLife calls the brown recluse a major household pest in Texas. It favors rarely disturbed places such as junk piles, cluttered closets and seldom-used storage, indoors and out. Bites usually happen when one gets trapped against skin, so stored clothing and boxes are where to be careful.
You may also see tarantulas on the road in mating season. AgriLife says their bites are not dangerous, and they aren't a reason to call.
What a visit usually involves
This describes common practice. The company you speak with decides the details.
Expect a walk through the places spiders use, webs knocked down, and treatment of cracks and edges as needed. AgriLife says recluses are hard to control even for experts, so clutter reduction and sticky traps usually go along with anything the company applies. The traps also show whether numbers are falling.
Ask how often the company would come back and what you need to clear out first.
Keeping them out
- Tape stored boxes shut and keep them off the floor.
- Shake out shoes and clothes stored in a garage.
- Shield outdoor lights so that they draw fewer insects.
- Prune shrubs that touch the house.
When to call
Call if you keep finding widows or recluses in places people use. If someone is bitten and feels unwell, get medical care rather than calling a pest company. AgriLife says a black widow bite can bring intense pain within 1 to 3 hours.
Common questions
Do I need treatment for ordinary house spiders?
Often no. AgriLife says most spiders are largely beneficial. Removing webs and sealing gaps goes a long way.
How do I know it's a brown recluse?
Look for the violin mark and six eyes. Plenty of brown spiders aren't recluses. AgriLife has pictures, and a company can confirm it.
Got pests in the house right now?
Call and say what you've seen and your ZIP code. You'll be connected with an independent pest control company. Allow a few minutes for the conversation.
Calls answered: Early morning to late evening