Few creatures evoke as strong a reaction as spiders. While they play a beneficial role in the ecosystem by controlling other insect populations, that benefit is quickly forgotten when you discover one in your bathtub or basement. Seeing a spider can be unsettling for many people, turning a once comfortable space into a source of anxiety.
Understanding the types of spiders common to our area and their habits can help demystify these eight-legged arachnids. While most spiders you’ll encounter are harmless, a few can be of medical concern, making it essential to know what you’re looking at.
At Proterra Pest Control, we believe providing clear information is the best way to help our neighbors feel more secure in their homes. We are committed to being a reliable resource for the Kennewick community.
Spiders are common in homes across the Tri-Cities, and while most are harmless, knowing what you’re dealing with can help you stay safe and avoid unnecessary worry. Fortunately, many spiders can be identified safely by observing their web style, size, and location.
Here are a few common types found in our area:
Common house spider. Small to medium-sized with a brownish body and faint markings. Builds messy, tangled webs in corners, closets, and quiet indoor spaces.
Cellar spider. Long, thin legs and a small, pale body. Often found in basements or crawl spaces, creating loose, irregular webs in damp areas.
Female black widow. Shiny black body with a rounded abdomen. Look for a red or orange hourglass marking on the underside. Builds strong, messy webs close to the ground in dark, protected spots like sheds, garages, or under patio furniture.
Wolf spider. Large and hairy with a gray or brown body and dark stripes. It doesn’t spin webs but is often seen moving quickly along baseboards or across floors while hunting.
Funnel-web spider. Brown or gray with a stocky build. Creates dense, funnel-shaped webs in shrubs, tall grass, or near the foundation of your home. The spider typically hides in the narrow end of the funnel.
If you notice any of these spiders around your home, especially near entry points or in undisturbed areas, it may be time to reexamine your pest control needs.
Facts About Kennewick’s Spiders
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The spiders in and around Kennewick are diverse, comprising everything from harmless web-builders to more reclusive hunters.
Here are some key facts about our local spiders:
Not all spiders build webs. While we often associate spiders with intricate webs, many species, like the wolf spider, are active hunters that chase down their prey instead of trapping it.
Spiders are not insects. They belong to a separate class of animals called arachnids, which are characterized by having eight legs, two main body parts, and no antennae.
Their presence indicates other pests. Spiders go where they can find food. An increasing number of spiders in your home is often a sign of another underlying insect problem.
Black widows are reclusive. The most concerning spider in our region, the black widow, is shy and prefers to build its messy, irregular webs in dark, undisturbed places like woodpiles, sheds, and crawl spaces.
Proterra pest Contol comes to our home quarterly speaks with us to find out about any other problems we may be having they are thorough and I’ve always been successful getting red of mice and spiders, our main pests. We would highly recommend them.