At Wake Pest, we’ve spent years learning about the various spider species that call Raleigh, North Carolina, and its surrounding areas home. While most of these eight-legged neighbors are entirely harmless—and often even beneficial—understanding which spiders are likely to show up in your house is the first step in managing them responsibly.
Raleigh’s moderate climate, with its warm summers and relatively mild winters, offers spiders plenty of opportunities to thrive. According to the North Carolina State University’s Department of Entomology, over 800 spider species may be found throughout the state—though only a handful usually show up indoors.
Common Species You Might Encounter
Here are a few spiders we come across most frequently in our pest control services:
- House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum): Common house spiders are small to medium in size (around a quarter-inch to a half-inch in body length) with a brownish, sometimes translucent coloration. You’ll often find them in ceiling corners, building messy webs to catch flying insects.
- Wolf Spider (Lycosidae family): These robust hunters can appear intimidating due to their size (some can reach up to an inch or more in body length). They are usually brown or gray with distinct patterning. Wolf spiders don’t spin webs; they chase down prey, which is why you may see them scurrying along baseboards or in garages.
- Cellar Spider (Pholcidae family): Also known as “daddy long-legs” (though not to be confused with harvestmen), cellar spiders have skinny legs that can be up to two inches long. Their bodies are small, and they favor dark, damp spaces like basements, cellars, or crawl spaces.
- Jumping Spider (Salticidae family): These small spiders (usually under half an inch) have a stout body and short legs, with iridescent or colorful markings. They actively hunt rather than build webs and can be found on windowsills or walls, especially in bright, open areas where they can spot prey.
- Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans): One of the more concerning species, female black widows are shiny black with a distinctive red or orange hourglass marking on the abdomen. They typically hide in protected areas like woodpiles, sheds, or garages. While their bites can be medically significant, they’re rarely fatal when treated promptly.
Physical Characteristics to Look For
Spiders can vary dramatically in appearance, but there are a few common traits that can help you categorize them:
- Body Shape: Spiders have a two-part body: the cephalothorax (which includes the head and thorax) and the abdomen. Different species have different silhouette shapes—some are rounder, others more elongated.
- Color Patterns: Many spider species have unique color patterns. Pay attention to markings on the abdomen or legs. For instance, the black widow’s red hourglass is a dead giveaway.
- Web Structure: The shape and type of web can also hint at the species. Orb weavers create circular webs, while house spiders weave messy, irregular webs.
- Movement and Hunting Style: Wolf spiders and jumping spiders are active hunters that roam around, whereas cellar spiders and house spiders remain in or near their webs.
Behavior and Potential Risks
One of the most significant misconceptions about spiders is that they’re out to bite people. In reality, most are shy and will scurry away when given the chance. Bites are rare and usually happen if a spider is trapped against the skin or feels threatened.
Venomous Species: In North Carolina, the two spiders typically regarded as potentially harmful are the black widow and the brown recluse (though the brown recluse is less common in our immediate region, it can occasionally be found in certain parts of the state). If you suspect you’ve encountered a venomous spider, don’t handle it. Call professionals like us to confirm and handle removal safely.
According to the CDC, black widow bites can cause symptoms such as muscle cramps, abdominal pain, and in some cases, more severe complications. Brown recluse bites can lead to tissue damage around the bite site. While these instances are relatively rare, it’s crucial to remain vigilant.
Where Spiders Tend to Hide
Spiders love dark, undisturbed corners. Common places to check include:
- Basements and crawl spaces
- Attics and storage rooms
- Inside boxes, boots, or shoes left unused for long periods
- Behind and under furniture
- In garages, sheds, and woodpiles
Spiders gravitate toward these areas because there’s typically a steady supply of other insects to eat, and they can remain relatively undisturbed.
How We Can Help
Our team at Wake Pest understands that seeing a spider casually stroll across your living room can be unnerving. That’s why our approach to spider control is both preventive and responsive. We focus on addressing the root cause—usually an abundant insect food source or easy entry points—while also removing existing spiders or webs in and around your home.
We pride ourselves on using eco-friendly methods whenever possible, which can include targeted treatments that are low-impact on the surrounding environment. We also help you identify potential entry points—like unsealed windows, gaps under doors, or cracks in the foundation—and we provide recommendations for sealing these areas to prevent future visits from unwanted eight-legged guests.
Spiders: Friends or Foes?
Although spiders can certainly cause a scare, it’s important to remember that most of them are actually helpful. They eat a variety of insects, including pests like mosquitoes and flies, which can carry diseases. By keeping insect populations in check, spiders serve as a natural line of defense against other, more harmful pests.
However, if you have a significant infestation, fear of venomous bites, or if the presence of spiders is simply too anxiety-inducing for your household, you have every right to seek professional help. After all, it’s your home—you should feel comfortable and safe in it.
Interesting Statistics
- Some estimates suggest that spiders consume an average of 400-800 million tons of insects globally each year.
- A single house spider can eat as many as 2,000 insects in one year, according to entomological research.
- The majority of spider species are not dangerous to humans, with fewer than a dozen globally considered a significant medical concern.
Practical Tips for Homeowners
If you’re looking to coexist peacefully with these critters—or at least keep their numbers under control—here are some practical tips we often suggest:
- Reduce clutter: Spiders love a good hiding spot, so keep areas like basements and garages organized.
- Seal entry points: Use caulk or weather stripping to block gaps and cracks in doors, windows, and your home’s foundation.
- Check storage areas: If you’re putting on a pair of garden gloves or boots that haven’t been used in a while, give them a quick shake first.
- Address moisture issues: Spiders and insects alike gravitate towards damp areas. Fixing leaks and using a dehumidifier can help.
Wrapping Up
We hope this guide has helped you feel more comfortable identifying and understanding the common household spiders in the Raleigh area. At Wake Pest, our mission is to empower you with knowledge so you can make the best decisions for your home. Whether you decide to handle minor spider sightings yourself or call in our friendly team for a professional assessment, we’re here to help keep your home safe and pest-free.