In Oklahoma, we experience multiple types of spiders that range from harmless to dangerous. It is common to be frightened when encountered with a species that may or may not cause severe health problems if bitten by them. The best way to get ahead of the fearful threats of these unknown hunters is to learn how to differentiate which is harmful for humans. With Owasso Pest Control by Platinum Pest & Lawn, we identify, treat and protect against Common Oklahoma Spiders daily.
Spiders hunt to seek their insect prey or other pests. Often found near or around homes, spiders do significantly provide beneficial purposes in our ecosystem. They are the primary predators of insects, keeping population control in check among other ecological balances, by consuming unwanted pests and reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Our crops and gardens are also better regulated by these spiders. They contribute a key role in the food chain, as they also are a vital food source for birds, lizards and various species among us. Platinum Pest & Lawn is a locally owned and operated Owasso Pest Control company that is proficient in identifying which species is of concern.
The barn spider is a tan-ish brown color that has a tinge of red and orange and varying markings on its abdomen. They are generally found in backyards, gardens, and woodlands; although it is more likely to spot them at night near outdoor lights when they are most active, because of their nocturnal nature. Also known as the spotted orbweaver, their name derives from the orb-shaped web they weave. Flying insects get caught in their sticky spiral designed webs and are most noticeable in late summer through early fall. If provoked, this species will bite and not cause venomous danger to humans.
Often confused with the brown recluse, the male southern house spiders have a similar light brown coloration and body structure, but lack the distinctive violin-shaped marking on their cephalothorax. They will have velvety light gray hair on their abdomen. The female southern house spider is rarely active or seen; however, the males typically roam to hunt for insects and females to mate with, without having a territory. These species use their legs to comb webbing, creating a velcro-like spikey netting to capture their prey, which does not produce an adhesive webbing. They are not aggressive and instinctively play dead when threatened. Owasso Pest Control helps identify and protect against these pests, call Platinum Pest & Lawn today for your general pest control services at 918-376-0857.
A more dangerous species of spider for humans to encounter is the brown recluse. Sometimes, their bites do require medical attention and are known for causing “holes” in the flesh; it is their tissue-destroying venom containing sphingomyelinase D, which causes the skin around the bite to die. This is one of three spiders in the United States with dangerous venom; the other two are the Chilean recluse and the black widow spider. The brown recluse is light brown to medium brown in color, with gray-ish legs. They are identified by the distinct violin marking on the dorsal side of their cephalothorax, with a black line tracing down from it pointing to the rear of the spider. Other common names for the brown recluse are fiddleback, brown fiddler, or violin spider. We are here to handle all of your Owasso Pest Control needs through Platinum Pest & Lawn.
The Carolina wolf spider has a gray-ish brown color with a dark underside and the males have orange along their sides. This species does not make webs to catch their prey, they will ambush instead by coming out of their burrows. Most commonly known, the female wolf spider carries her egg sacs on her back during their incubation. Generally, they eat crickets and grasshoppers. They react to vibrations they sense, in addition to their sight and olfactory senses. Their venom is a paralytic agent used against their prey and as a method of defense against infection from microbes that may be present in their prey.
Female Southern black widows are known for their tendency to kill and consume their male mate after copulation, due to their inability to escape. They are potent venomous spiders found throughout the Southeastern regions of the United States. The female is shiny black with a distinctive red hourglass or triangular markings on its back or underside. The black widow’s typical habitat includes wood and rock piles, outhouses, garages, sheds, basements, rodent burrows, and hollow tree stumps. They do construct sticky webs by producing a strong silk for trapping their prey. They do not weave distinguishable patterns of webbing, because they are limited by food sources. If you get bitten by this species, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. You won’t regret calling in the professionals for your Owasso Pest Control services by Platinum Pest & Lawn, to eradicate these venomous spiders.
One of thirty species of tarantulas found in the United States is the brown tarantula. There are over eight-hundred documented tarantula species worldwide. Similar to the wolf spider, the brown tarantula burrows into the ground, instead of weaving/spinning webs. They hunt at night and line their burrow entrance with silk to alert themselves against potential predators. Their venom is harmful to small animals, but is not known to be life-threatening against humans. Common areas you will find these species are near small rocks, logs, arid/dry regions.
The white banded crab spider has a white line that runs through the plane of their eyes. Their body color can alter between white and yellow, depending on their surroundings. They get their name from their resemblance to crabs, in their shape and front legs. Crab spiders are non-web weaving spiders. They are attracted to flowers and will sit and wait for pollinators to land, to be captured and eaten. Because they are diurnal, the white banded crab spider is active during the day. Their smaller size helps them travel, hunt and stay protected from predators also. They are beneficial to have around and are harmless to humans. Contact Platinum Pest & Lawn for Owasso Pest Control today at 918-376-0857 for more information about our services and membership specials!
