Here in Texas, we’re no strangers to spiders. In fact, there are almost 900 species of spiders in the state!
While most of these spiders are harmless to humans, there are a few that can deliver a nasty bite.
In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to 10 of the most common spider species found in Texas and tell you everything you need to know about them.
Key Takeaways
- From brown recluse spiders to the common house spider, there are hundreds of spider species you might find in the Lone Star State.
- Though most spiders here are harmless, there are a few venomous spiders whose bite warrants immediate medical attention.
- If you notice an infestation of spiders in your home, it’s a good idea to call a pest control company as soon as possible.
| Name of Spider | Identifiable Traits | Habitat | Risk to Humans | Web Type |
| Twin-Flagged Jumping Spider | Black, brown, gray, tan, or white, ¼” long, flag-shaped markings | Southwestern US, wooded areas with leaf litter | None – can bite, but not venomous | Females make silk nest for laying eggs but do not catch prey in webs |
| Communal Spider | Red with long legs | Eaves or window sills in houses, sheds, or garages | None | Large orb-shaped webs |
| Black and Yellow Garden Spider | Long black legs and body with yellow markings | Gardens and other outdoor areas | None – beneficial since they feed on garden pests | Circular-shaped web |
| Sylvana Jumping Spider | Brown with white and black markings | Wooded areas | Not dangerous to humans | Does not spin a web but instead makes a silken shelter under leaves or bark |
| Six-Spotted Fishing Spider | Eight eyes, gray to brown body | Near water sources | Can bite, but its venom is not potent | Nursery web |
| Spiny-Backed Orb Weaver | White, black, and red with distinctive spines | Tropical and subtropical climates, indoors and outside | Webs can be a nuisance, but they are not harmful | Flat, orb-shaped web in trees, shrubs, window, or outdoor area |
| Huntsman Spider | Large (up to 5 inches long in leg span) and hairy with two claws | Often found in homes | Not poisonous, but bite can cause nausea or headache | Does not build a web, hunts and forages for food |
| Western Black Widow | Black with a distinctive hourglass mark on abdomen | Woodpiles, dark or dry places | Extremely venomous | Spin webs with no definite shape or form, can vary in appearance |
| Brown Recluse | Up to ¾” long, brown to blackish gray in color | Debris and woodpiles | Extremely venomous | Irregular, loosely constructed web |
| Red House Spider | Red color, long legs, up to ⅓” long (males much smaller than females) | Homes and gardens | Painful bite but does not cause a reaction in most cases | Tangled mess of webbing attached at multiple points to floors and walls |
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Twin-Flagged Jumping Spider
The Twin-Flagged jumping spider is a species of spider that is found in the southwestern United States. The spider gets its name from the two distinct flag-like markings on its back.
The Twin-Flagged jumping spider is a small spider, typically only growing to be about 1/4 inch long. The spiders are brown or black in coloration with white or light gray markings.
The spiders are not considered to be dangerous to humans, and their bites are not venomous. The Twin-Flagged jumping spiders are known for their ability to jump long distances, up to 50 times their body length.
The spiders build webs in order to lay eggs and capture prey, but not in the traditional sense. The spiders will use their web to sense the vibrations of prey walking by. When prey is detected, the spider will jump out and capture the prey with its legs.
Communal Spider
The communal spider is a type of arachnid that is known for its large webs. These spiders are typically found in warm, humid climates and often build their webs near water sources.
Communal spiders are not considered to be dangerous to humans. These spiders typically build orb-shaped webs, which can span up to 10 feet in diameter.
The communal spider is an important part of the ecosystem and helps to control the population of insects. However, their large webs can sometimes be a nuisance.
Black and Yellow Garden Spider
The Black and Yellow Garden Spider is a species of arachnid that is commonly found in gardens and wooded areas.
These spiders are easily identifiable by their black and yellow markings, which are used to warn predators of their venomous bite. Garden spiders typically build webs between plants, using their silk to capture prey.
While the bite of a garden spider is not considered dangerous to humans, it can be painful and cause swelling. These spiders are also known to be aggressive and have been known to attack people who come too close to their web.
Sylvana Jumping Spider
The Sylvana jumping spider is a small, hopping spider that is found in North America. It is black with white spots on its abdomen, and it has large, prominent eyes. The Sylvana Jumping Spider typically lives in wooded areas, where it hunts for insects.
Although it is not considered to be dangerous to humans, it can bite if it feels threatened. Like other jumping spiders, the Sylvana jumping spider does not build a web to catch its prey but instead makes a small silken nest on the ground or in the leaf litter.
Once an insect is caught in the nest, the spider quickly moves in to inject it with venom. The venom paralyzes the insect and allows the spider to eat it at its leisure.
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Six-Spotted Fishing Spider
The Six-Spotted Fishing Spider is a species of spider that is found in North America. It is a member of the Dytiscidae family of spiders, which are also known as water spiders or raft spiders.
The Six-Spotted Fishing Spider gets its name from the six spots that are found on its abdomen. It is brown in color.
The Six-Spotted Fishing Spider is often found near water sources, such as ponds and streams. It is a proficient swimmer and can even walk on the surface of the water. The Six-Spotted Fishing Spider preys on small insects and other spiders. It uses its web to trap its prey and then injects it with venom.
The venom of the Six-Spotted Fishing Spider is not harmful to humans. However, the spider will bite if it feels threatened. The bite is painful but not dangerous.
Spiny-Backed Orb Weaver
The Spiny-Backed Orb Weaver is a type of spider that is found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The most distinctive feature of this spider is the row of spines that runs down its back. These spines help to protect the spider from predators and also make it difficult for prey to escape once they are caught in the spider’s web.
The Spiny-Backed Orb Weaver builds Orb webs, which are characterized by their round shape and the radial symmetry of their web structure. These webs are usually built in open areas, such as fields or gardens, where there is plenty of room for the spider to build its web.
Although the Spiny-Backed Orb Weaver is not considered to be dangerous to humans, its bite can be painful and cause swelling and redness at the site of the bite.
Huntsman Spider
Huntsman spiders are large, fast-moving spiders that are found in tropical and temperate regions around the world. They are typically brown or gray in color, with long legs and a large, flat body.
Huntsman spiders are capable of running quickly and are often seen running across floors or walls. They live in a variety of habitats, including forests, deserts, and urban areas. Huntsman spiders are not considered to be dangerous to humans, but their large size and quick movements can be unsettling.
They are unique in that they do not build webs but instead actively hunt for their prey, hence the name.
Western Black Widow
The Western Black Widow spider is one of the most dangerous spiders in North America. These spiders are easily recognizable by their glossy black bodies and distinctive red markings.
Western Black Widows are found throughout the western United States, typically in dry, dark places like wood piles or beneath rocks. These spiders are shy and reclusive, but they will bite humans if they feel threatened.
The venom of a Western Black Widow is extremely potent, and bites can often be fatal if not treated immediately. Luckily, these spiders are not aggressive and will only bite if provoked.
However, it is important to be aware of the dangers these spiders pose and to take precautions when entering their habitat.
Brown Recluse
The brown recluse, also known as the violin spider, is a small spider with a long, thin body. It is usually brown or tan in color, with a dark brown or black violin-shaped mark on its back.
The brown recluse is found in the United States, often in southern and midwestern states. It prefers to live in dark, secluded places, such as inside homes, in attics and crawl spaces, behind baseboards and picture frames, and in storage boxes and clothing that has not been worn for some time.
Although the brown recluse is not aggressive, it will bite humans if it feels threatened. Its bites can cause serious skin reactions, including necrosis (death of tissue).
The brown recluse’s web is usually found near the ground in hidden places, such as beneath porches and stairs. The web is not sticky like most spider webs and is loosely constructed.
Red House Spider
The red house spider is a small spider that is commonly found in homes. It is brown or reddish-brown in color, and it has a wide, round abdomen. The red house spider is not aggressive, and it generally only bites humans if it feels threatened. However, its bite can be painful, and it can cause swelling and bruising.
The red house spider typically builds a web in corners or in spaces between furniture. It sometimes also builds webs near doors and windows. The red house spider is not considered to be dangerous to humans, but it should be avoided if possible.
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Conclusion
While most of these spiders are harmless to humans, there are a few that can deliver a nasty bite. In this blog post, we introduced you to 10 of the most common spider species found in Texas and told you everything you need to know about them.
So the next time you see a creepy-crawly in your home, don’t panic! Just refer back to this blog post and you’ll know exactly what kind of visitor you have—and whether or not you need to call a pest control company.
