Common Spiders In Pittsburgh

There are a wide variety of potential pests that could be in your home if you live in Pittsburgh. Of course, everyone worries about termites or wasps, but no potential invader strikes as much fear in so many people as spiders! Many people panic at the sight of spiders, and having one in their home, not to mention several, is an unthinkable horror. It’s important to note, however, that some spiders are more harmful than others, so let’s take a look at what kind of spiders are present in Pittsburgh and how much of a threat they pose.

Cellar Spider (Daddy Long Legs)

To some, daddy long legs are especially grotesque. Their proportions stand out as being unnatural and unsettling. While these creatures may be unpleasant to look at, they don’t present much of a threat. Daddy long legs do not bite humans and are not venomous or poisonous to humans.

Orb Weavers

Orb Weavers in Pennsylvania typically have a body length of around an inch with a distinct color and pattern to the body. Orb weavers like to stay motionless in their web for long periods, waiting for prey to fly or crawl into their trap.

Grass Spiders (Funnel Spiders)

Grass or Funnel spiders are common in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania. They sping long, large, tubular webs with a funnel located on one side that guides their food source into their nest.

Jumping Spiders

Some common species of jumping spiders in Pittsburgh include:

• the long-bodied cellar spider
• the zebra jumper
• the emerald jumper
• the bold jumper
• and the bronze jumper

Jumping spiders move extremely quickly, and are able to jump out of the way of predators, or humans trying to step on them. Jumping spiders vary in size and color, but as a whole, are not known to bite humans.

Brown Recluse

Brown recluse spiders are relatively small, ranging from a quarter of an inch to an inch in width. They can be recognized most easily by their brown color and a pattern on their back in the shape of a violin. Despite their small size, the bite of a brown recluse can make some people very sick and can even kill the tissue around the area of a bite. Brown recluse bites are very serious and often go overlooked at first because the bite itself is not painful. 

Wolf Spider

Wolf spiders are somewhat larger than brown recluse spiders, coming in at around an inch to an inch and a half across. Wolf spiders can be identified by the thick coat of fine hair around their body, perhaps giving way to their name. They range in color from brown to grey and lack the presence of any distinguishable pattern on their back. While they are venomous, their bites are not nearly as severe as that of the brown recluse.

House Spider

The most common spider to come across in North America is the house spider. Pretty much everyone’s seen one, whether they know it or not. House spiders are small, typically no more than a quarter of an inch, and have a light grey color. Their bites are not usually dangerous but can be quite painful for up to 16 hours.

Spider Prevention

If you want to prevent spiders from getting into your Pittsburgh home, here are some tips:

• Replace torn screens and caulk up any gaps to eliminate entry areas for insects as well as the spiders that feed on them. House spiders in PA will try to get in through holes in window and door screens as well as any gaps around windows and doors or cracks in your foundation. 
• Install yellow lights or sodium vapor lighting in exterior light fixtures. These kinds of lights attract fewer insects, which in turn will attract fewer spiders to your home.
• If you store wood outside your home, keep the woodpile located a safe distance from the home. Spiders like to hide in woodpiles and if you store the pile right up against your home, you’re inviting insects and spiders indoors.
• Cut back tree branches and shrubs that may be touching the exterior of your home. These kinds of vegetation can act as a ‘bridge’ to your home for invading insects and spiders.

If you want guaranteed spider prevention, getting your house set up with a year-round pest control plan will target the most common pests of every season and give you a spider and pest-free home. Year-round pest control is offered at a flat rate, making it easier to budget for your pest control needs and often saving money over having to call for pest control and perhaps even repair services after you see an infestation. Contact Witt Pest Management to learn more about our pest control services.