Spiders

Spiders are arachnids. Arachnids are joint-legged invertebrate animals that all have eight legs. There are many species of spiders native to Oklahoma. Most are harmless to people but there are a few that may cause serious reactions in sensitive people.

Common spiders found in Oklahoma are the Brown Recluse, Black and Brown Widow, Wolf Spider, Brown Grass Spider, Hobo Spider (aka Aggressive House spider), Comb- footed House Spider, Granddaddy Log- Legs and the Garden Spider.

Call Mother Nature's today and schedule your appointment for a free pest evaluation. At Mother Nature's, "we know the secret."

Brown Recluse Spider- Brown recluse spiders are common throughout the South Central United States. The largest population of the brown recluse is found in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas. It is a medium sized spider with the best and most significant characteristic being their six eyes (most spider have eight) arranged in a semi circle of three pairs on top of the head and a violin- shaped marking extending from the eye area to the abdomen.

In native states, the brown recluse spider will establish populations inside parts of building, homes that are dry, littered and undisturbed for long periods of time. The spider can be found outdoors in protected area, under rocks and loose bark. Brown recluse spiders are non-aggressive and normally attempt to escape whenever they are threatened. Bites most often occur when the spider is inadvertently trapped, like putting on clothing where the spider is hiding or when putting on your shoes. You can also encounter then when cleaning closets and other undisturbed storage areas where the spider is living.

Solution: There are actions that can be taken to guard against a brown recluse spider bite. Call Mother Nature's today. We offer free pest evaluations and can provide spider control in and around your home.

Black Widow/ Brown Widow Spider- The female black widow has a shiny black body and usually a red hourglass-shaped marking on the underside of her abdomen. On some, the distinct hourglass is replaced with several triangles or spots in an irregular longitudinal area. The female has long black legs. The male is considerably smaller than the female, usually a patterned brown color and is not a threat to people. In resent years the Brown Widow has been spotted in Oklahoma and the same description and caution is to be used near the female. The Black Widow female can be very harmful to humans, caution should be used near the female and if bitten; seek medical attention. Most bites occur when humans inadvertently come into contact with a part of the spider's body or the web is accidentally touched.

The Black/Brown Widow is usually found in its irregular shaped web near the ground. Common web sites are under stones, loose bark, water faucets, wood -piles, covered water meter area, rodent burrows, garages, storage buildings, outhouses and barns.

Solution: Call Mother Nature's today. We offer free pest evaluations and can provide spider control in and around your home.

Wolf Spider- Small wolf spiders are less than one inch in length whereas some species are as large as two inches. Wolf spiders are fast-moving ground predators. The wolf spider does not make webs, they prefer to move about wandering from one place to another. Wolf spiders are dull in color. The male species of the wolf spider is darker than the female and has more distinct markings. The greatest enemy of the wolf spider is the hunting wasp. Wolf spiders will only bite if they are provoked.

Solution: Call Mother Nature's today. We offer free pest evaluations and can provide spider control in and around your home.

Hobo Spider- The hobo spider is a member of the genus of spiders, meaning funnel web spiders. It's bite is generally considered to be medically significant. Hobos make a funnel structure of silk sheeting and lie in wait at the end of the funnel and prey on insects to find their way into the webs. They sometimes build their webs in human habitants, though the spiders is not known for being aggressive, they will normally avoid contact with humans. Most bites occur when the spider is accidentally stepped on, touched or squeezed by a human. The spider's venom is strong enough to cause considerable localized pain and can result in a severe reaction in sensitive people.

Solution: Call Mother Nature's today. We offer free pest evaluations and can provide spider control in and around your home.

Garden Spider- Garden Spiders have bold yellow marking on a black, long shaped abdomen and long legs banded in yellow and black. Garden spiders are considered to have attractive markings and colors, making them fun to watch by some people. They build their webs where insects often fly; meadows, gardens and exterior light fixtures. These spiders are not aggressive and are not considered poisonous to humans. They will bite if they feel threatened but the venom is not poisonous to people.

Solution: Call Mother Nature's today. We offer free pest evaluations and can provide spider control in and around your home.

Comb-footed Spider- Comb footed spiders, also known as cobweb spiders, are very common spiders outdoors and indoors. They are small to medium-sized spiders. Comb-footed spiders are usually brownish or grayish. They build irregular webs in many places, including wood and stone piles and in quiet areas of buildings, such as basements. A common type of comb-footed spider found indoors is the house spider. They are not considered aggressive or poisonous to people.

Solution: Call Mother Nature's today. We offer free pest evaluations and can provide spider control in and around your home.

Brown Grass Spider- The grass spider is common around homes and edges of foundations. They commonly build a funnel shaped web. They can be teased out by gently touching the outer web with a stick. Their venom is hemotoxic but is much less than severe than the Brown Recluse. The most common symptoms are local swelling, redness and itching. They are commonly mistaken as the brown recluse spider, because of their size and description. Grass spiders are common outside but are seen indoors, usually after coming in through an exterior opening.

Solution: Call Mother Nature's today. We offer free pest evaluations and can provide spider control in and around your home.

Granddaddy Long Legs- the granddaddy long leg is not an actual spider but is in the arachnid family. They are closely related to mites. The legendary myth that follows the granddaddy long legs is that is very venomous and harmful. Fact is they are not venomous; they don't have venom glands or fangs. They are web-weaving arachnids and are distributed worldwide. They hang inverted in messy, tangled webs. These webs are constructed in dark and damp recesses, in caves, under rocks and in undisturbed areas in buildings and cellars, hence the common name "cellar spiders". However, they are also commonly found in warm, dry places, such as household windows and attics. They prey on insects, spiders and are known to eat Hobo spiders as well. This makes the Granddaddy Long Leg beneficial to us.

Solution: Call Mother Nature's today. We offer free pest evaluations and can provide spider control in and around your home.