4 Major Common Spiders in NJ

By Horizon Pest Control

Spiders are beneficial insects, acting as population control for harmful insects. Some gardeners will purposely place certain spiders in their gardens to protect their vegetation; however, once spiders begin invading the living area, that becomes a game-changer for the humans in the environment. Even though not all spiders are harmful, most people don’t want them in their homes.

Here Are the Top Four Most Common Spiders in New Jersey

The Black Widow

Black Widow SpiderThe black widow spider is considered a poisonous spider, and its bite can cause a painful, even severe, reaction in humans. Its body is shiny black with an orange or red mark on the underside of its abdomen. The mark may look like two triangles or have an hourglass shape. The black female widow can bite through human tissue and inject venom, causing a painful reaction. The male is unable to do this. While rarely fatal, the bite of the black widow can cause severe discomfort. If you are bit, the sooner you receive medical attention, the milder your symptoms will be – or your symptoms may alleviate entirely.

How to Determine The Black Widow Spider:

  • Jet black and has a red hourglass shape on the bottom of its bulbous abdomen
  • Much bigger than average house spiders

Yellow Sac Spider

Yellow Sac SpiderThese aggressive but non-poisonous spiders are notorious for biting humans. Although a yellow sac spider bite is not poisonous or harmful, they cause an “intense stinging” pain similar to a hornet or wasp. The body of the yellow sac spider is pale yellow, and they are around a quarter of an inch. They spin papery, white sacks of silk, hence the name, and you may see them in corners, under shelves, along with ceilings, or behind pictures.

How to Determine The Yellow Sac Spider:

  • Pale yellow, tan, brown, or green
  • Dark fangs
  • Long, translucent legs
  • Black “feet”

American House Spider

Common House SpiderThe American house spider is one of the common spiders in New Jersey. In terms of aggression, they are the polar opposite of the yellow sac spider. When threatened and not under rough care, the American house spider prefers to play dead and rarely bites. They are typically tiny spiders, measuring about a quarter of an inch. However, they can be as long as 1 inch with their legs stretched out. This spider is usually a dull brown with an almost dappled pattern of varying shades. They are timid, and many homeowners never see the actual spiders, although they do see their tangled cobwebs.

How to Determinate an American House Spider:

  • Yellow-brown
  • Large, round, shiny abdomens
  • Thin legs

Wolf Spider

A very large Wolf spiderAnother common New Jersey spider species is the wolf spider. These are more enormous spiders, around an inch and a half, are either black or dark brown and have a hairy or fuzzy appearance. They strongly resemble the tarantula, which can cause some people to be intimidated or downright afraid. Wolf spiders prefer crawl spaces, basements, sheds, and garages instead of cohabitating with humans (usually much to the humans’ relief). They do not spin a web but instead live in the ground where they can pounce on their prey as it passes. The wolf spider is not aggressive and typically only bites when continually provoked despite its appearance.

How to Determinate a Wolf Spider:

  • Furry, brownish grey
  • Large
  • Move quickly

Are you dealing with these common spiders in New Jersey?  If you have a spider problem, call the experts in NJ spider control. At Horizon, our experienced, knowledgeable technicians can help you with any of your pest problems. Give us a call to schedule an inspection, and let our family take care of you.

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