Spiders Found During Home Inspections

Spiders have an ominous, but often undeserved reputation.  Though most spiders are venomous and considered predators, of the thousands of species found in the United States, few are actually considered a health threat.  In fact, spiders are actually helpful in controlling other pests in the home or garden since they feed on other insects and spiders.  They generally bite and inject venom into their prey.  Spiders, however, rarely bite humans.  If they do, the bite is usually accidental or a defensive response.  The simplest method of controlling spider infestation is to reduce the pest population (other insects) inside the home so they seek a more dependable food supply outside the home.

One of the most common misconceptions about spiders is that they are insects.  Spiders are arachnids and are actually closely related to mites, ticks and scorpions.  Spiders have two body parts (cephalothorax and abdomen), eight legs and usually six to eight eyes, while insects are classified by having three body parts (head, thorax and abdomen), six legs, and  generally two compound eyes or up to three single eyes.  The average life span of a spider is usually one to two years, but some can live five years and up to 20 years. 

The two most common types of spiders that are considered health threats in the U.S. are the black widow and brown recluse.