While most spiders in Kentucky are not venomous, it can be difficult to identify what type you have in your home. If you are unsure whether a species on your property is dangerous or if you start seeing more spiders than usual, call a pest control specialist for help. The following guide outlines more information about common Kentucky spiders.

A Guide to Spiders Found in the Bluegrass State

1. Brown Recluse

A brown recluse spider is roughly the size of a quarter, including the legs. It has six eyes and a dark, violin-shaped pattern on the top of its body. Some people mistake harmless cellar spiders for brown recluses, but cellar spiders have longer legs and hang upside down from their webs. Recluses are not web-hanging creatures, preferring to hunt for prey on the ground. 

This type of spider is venomous. Their venom destroys the walls of blood vessels around the bite area, sometimes causing a skin ulcer. While these spiders rarely cause death in humans, you should still seek medical attention if you are bitten.

2. Black Widow 

The black widow spider is the only other species in Kentucky that poses a serious health threat to humans from their bite. Females are about 1.5 inches long, with a shiny black body and an hourglass-shaped red or orange mark on their back. Males are smaller and lighter in color with red or pink spots.

This species spins webs that appear haphazard without any particular pattern. Webs in homes are sometimes found under appliances and furniture. Call pest control if you find any evidence of black widows.

3. Orb Weaver

The best way to identify an orb weaver is from their web, which is very organized and looks like a circular grid. They are often found on porches and in gardens, and they sometimes build webs in doorways. They are frequently mistaken for brown recluses because some of them are tan or dark brown. However, these leggy creatures have bright yellow markings. In comparison to orb weavers, brown recluses spin irregularly patterned webs.

4. Yellow Sac

These spiders are around the size of a nickel with their legs outstretched. They have yellow abdomens with a tan head and legs. They are commonly found in homes, and while they do bite, they’re not harmful to humans unless an individual is allergic. Most people will experience moderate pain, similar to a bee sting. Instead of trapping prey in webs, yellow sac spiders hunt and forage after dark.

If you are worried about a spider infestation in your home, turn to Leitchfield Exterminating for help. This knowledgeable company has been serving residential and commercial customers throughout central Kentucky since 1975. They use proven pest control methods to deal with everything from bed bugs and termites to rats and mice. Call (270) 234-1295 or visit them online to schedule a free inspection and consultation.