The Homeowner’s Guide to
Spiders in Ohio

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In Ohio, everything from our dense forests and sprawling fields to urban neighborhoods can provide ideal habitats for a huge range of spider species. While many spiders in Ohio are harmless and can even play a role in controlling insect populations, finding them inside your home can be a cause for concern. This is especially true for venomous spiders like black widows and brown recluses. 

This guide will help you identify common spiders in Ohio and provide tips on keeping your home spider-free.

Get help with your roach problems by calling the spider control pros at Hawx Pest Control! Call (888) 372-9514 today.

Common House Spiders in Ohio

Ohio homeowners often encounter several different types of spiders inside their homes, from basements to porches. Here are the types you’re most likely to see:

House Spiders

Common house spiders in Ohio are small to medium-sized, usually brown or gray with faint markings. They build tangled webs in corners, window frames, and closets. These spiders are non-aggressive and pose no threat to humans. Their presence often means there’s a steady supply of insects in the home, as they feed on flies, mosquitoes, and other small pests.

Wolf Spider

The Ohio wolf spider is a larger species, with bodies ranging from 1/2 inch to 2 inches in length. While they can appear intimidating due to their size, wolf spiders are not aggressive, and bites are rare. Wolf spiders are typically brown with darker markings, providing excellent camouflage in natural settings. Unlike other spiders, they do not spin webs. Instead, they prefer to chase down their prey. Wolf spiders tend to wander indoors during cooler months, so you may see more of them around when the temperatures dip.

Jumping Spiders

Jumping spiders in Ohio are small, compact spiders with stout bodies and short legs. They are often black or gray with distinctive white, red, or blue markings. Known for their excellent vision and, yes, jumping ability, these spiders like to hunt during the day. They might enter homes while chasing down prey but are harmless to humans.

Cellar Spiders

Sometimes referred to as daddy longlegs, cellar spiders in Ohio have small bodies about 1/4 inch long, but their legs can span up to 2 inches, giving them a sort of gangly appearance. These spiders are typically light brown or gray and are known for constructing messy, irregular webs in dark, damp places like basements, crawl spaces, and under sinks. Despite the urban myths you may hear, cellar spiders are harmless to humans and can help reduce unwanted insect populations.

Orb Weaver Spiders

Orb weaver spiders in Ohio are characterized by their large, intricate, wheel-shaped webs with zig-zag patterns in gardens, forests, and around homes. They vary in color and size, often displaying bright patterns of black and yellow on their bodies. Despite their sometimes alarming appearance and size, orb weavers are not harmful to humans and prefer to keep to themselves.

Other Common Spiders in Ohio

While most spiders in Ohio are harmless, there are a few species that homeowners should be cautious about.

Black Widow Spider

Black widow spiders in Ohio are somewhat rare but can still be found in secluded, dark areas like woodpiles, garages, and sheds. Females are shiny black with a distinctive red hourglass shape on the underside of their abdomens. Their venom is potent, and bites can cause severe symptoms. However, black widows are not aggressive and will bite only when they feel threatened or surprised.

Brown Recluse Spider

While not native to our state, occasional sightings of brown recluse spiders in Ohio do happen. These spiders are light to dark brown with a violin-shaped marking on their backs. As the name implies, they prefer to stay out of sight, hiding under large appliances, furniture, and even piles of clothes on the floor. Their bites can be severe, leading to skin ulcers and systemic symptoms if left untreated.

Yellow Sac Spider

Yellow sac spiders in Ohio are small arachnids with a pale yellow or greenish color. They build silken sacs in corners, ceilings, or behind pictures rather than typical webs. They are active hunters and may bite if threatened, causing a painful, itchy welt. While their venom is relatively mild, it’s still wise to avoid handling them.

Spider Prevention in Ohio

To minimize encounters with spiders in your home, consider taking the following steps:

  • Seal entry points: Inspect your home for cracks and gaps, especially around windows, doors, and foundations. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal these openings to prevent spiders from entering.
  • Get rid of clutter: Keep storage areas tidy. Boxes, piles of clothes, and other clutter provide hiding spots for spiders.
  • Maintain your yard: Trim vegetation away from your home’s exterior. Remove leaf piles, woodpiles, and other debris where spiders might reside.
  • Regular cleaning: Vacuum and dust regularly to eliminate webs, egg sacs, and insects that spiders prey on.
  • Use screens: Check your window and door screens to ensure they are fully intact and don’t have gaps or holes. This will help keep spiders and other pests out while still allowing fresh air to come inside. 

How to Get Rid of Spiders in Your Ohio Home

If you’re facing with an active spider issue on your property, these steps can help:

  • Vacuum: Use a vacuum cleaner and its attachments to remove visible spiders, webs, and egg sacs. Dispose of the vacuum bag in a lidded trash can outside immediately so the spiders can’t escape back into your home.
  • Limit their food supply: Reducing the number of insects inside your home limits the spiders’ food supply, making your space a lot less appealing to them.
  • Professional pest control: For significant infestations or concerns about venomous spiders, it’s always best to consult professionals who have the tools, knowledge, and technology to fully address the problem.

We know that finding spiders in your Ohio home can be unsettling, no matter the species. At Hawx Pest Control, our team is trained in spider identification in Ohio and utilizes targeted solutions combined with modern tech and tools to clear your property of spiders—whether they’re common household spiders or more dangerous types like black widows. 

Don’t let spiders make you feel uneasy in your own home. Let the experts at Hawx restore your peace of mind with a safe and comfortable living environment. Contact us today for a free estimate and find out how we can help.

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