Spiders · North Arkansas
Brown recluses like it here as much as we do.
Arkansas is right in the middle of brown recluse country, and black widows are common in sheds, woodpiles and crawlspaces. Most spiders in your house are harmless and some even help. These two are the reason people call.
- Recluse body
- About 3/8 inch
- Active
- Spring to fall
- Where
- Closets, attics, boxes
- Risk
- Two that bite
Signs
How to tell you have a spider problem
One spider is a spider. These mean there's a population.
- Spiders in the bathtub or sinkRecluses wander at night and can't climb back out of smooth tubs.
- Shed skins and messy webs in storageBrown recluses leave small, irregular webs in boxes, closets and behind furniture. Their shed skins pile up in quiet corners.
- Lots of webs on the eaves and porchUsually means plenty of insects drawn to your lights. Fewer bugs means fewer spiders.
- Spiders in shoes, gloves or clothes on the floorA favorite recluse hiding spot, and how most bites happen.
Where they hide
Where they hide
Brown recluses like dry, dark, undisturbed places: closets, attics, cardboard boxes, the space behind headboards and dressers, and clothes left on the floor.
Black widows stay low and outside: woodpiles, sheds, under deck boards, meter boxes, crawlspace vents and the underside of outdoor furniture.
Every spider follows its food. A porch light that pulls in moths and crickets every night is a buffet.
Know what you've got
The spiders we see around here
Brown recluse
Tan to brown with a dark violin shape on its back pointing toward the rear. Six eyes in pairs instead of eight. Legs all one color, no stripes or spines. Shy, but bites when it gets pressed against skin.
Black widow
Shiny black with a red hourglass on the underside. Messy, strong webs low to the ground. Bites are rare but can make you very sick.
Wolf spider
Big, hairy and fast, often mistaken for a tarantula. Hunts on the floor at night and doesn't build webs. Not dangerous.
Garden and house spiders
Orb weavers on the porch and cobweb spiders in corners. They eat other bugs and rarely bite.
Our process
How we treat spiders
Every job starts with a free inspection. Most homes end up on our quarterly plan, which includes free re-treats between visits. See the plans.
Free inspection
We find which spiders you have and where they're living, and set sticky monitors in closets and attics for recluses. Confirm they use monitors.
Inside
We treat the cracks, closets, baseboards and attic spaces where they hide.
Outside
Eaves, foundation, crawlspace vents and woodpiles. We knock down webs and treat for the insects they eat.
Keep it up
Brown recluses are hard to wipe out completely. Quarterly service keeps the numbers down for good.
Before we get there
What you can do today
- Shake out shoes, gloves and clothes that have been on the floor or in the garage.
- Store things in plastic bins with lids instead of cardboard boxes.
- Pull beds a few inches off the wall and keep bed skirts off the floor.
- Wear gloves when you move firewood or clean out the shed.
What not to do
- Don't leave piles of laundry on the floor.
- Don't count on sprays alone. Without cutting off their food and hiding spots, they come back.
FAQ
Spiders questions
What do I do if a brown recluse bites me?
Wash it with soap and water, put a cold pack on it and see a doctor, especially if it gets worse over a few days. If you can, catch the spider in a jar so it can be identified. Plenty of skin sores get blamed on recluses that turn out to be something else, so let a doctor look at it.
How do I know it's a brown recluse?
Look for the violin shape on its back, six eyes in three pairs, and legs that are all one color. If you're not sure, catch it and we'll tell you.
Can you get rid of brown recluses for good?
In an infested house, honestly, it takes time. They live a long time and hide well. Regular treatment, sticky monitors and less clutter bring the numbers way down.
Are wolf spiders dangerous?
No. They look scary and move fast, but they're not a medical concern.
Keep reading
Other pests we treat
Think you've got spiders?
We'll come out, find what you've got, and tell you what it takes. No charge, no pressure.