Spiders inspire more fear and myths than nearly any other pest. They show up in folklore, horror movies, and everyday conversations as something to be avoided at all costs. But the reality is much different. While certain spider species do deserve caution, most are not nearly as dangerous—or widespread—as people believe. In fact, spiders are often beneficial, keeping insect populations in check.
For commercial facilities, though, the presence of webs or an unexpected spider sighting can cause alarm among employees, tenants, and customers. Understanding the truth about different spider species helps take the fear factor out of the equation and knowing how to prevent and control spider activity keeps your business looking professional.
Let’s break down the myths about some of the most talked-about spiders in North America—and explore how Sprague Pest Solutions helps protect facilities from spider concerns.
Myth 1: Black Widows Are Aggressive and Deadly
The truth: Western black widow spiders (Latrodectus hesperus) are among the most infamous species in the U.S., instantly recognizable by their glossy black bodies and red hourglass markings. They’re often portrayed as aggressive attackers, waiting to bite unsuspecting victims. In reality, black widows are shy and reclusive. They prefer to hide in undisturbed areas like woodpiles, storage sheds, or cluttered corners.
Bites typically occur only when the spider is accidentally pressed against the skin, such as when putting on gloves or moving stored boxes. While their venom is potent and can cause muscle pain, nausea, and sweating, fatalities are extremely rare, especially with modern medical care. Black widows are a spider to respect—but not one to fear unnecessarily.
Myth 2: Brown Recluse Spiders Are Everywhere
The truth: Few spiders have the reputation of the brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa). With their violin-shaped marking, they’ve become the go-to culprit for mysterious skin wounds. But here’s the reality: brown recluse spiders are not found everywhere. Their natural range is largely confined to the Midwest and Southern United States.
Even within their territory, recluse bites are uncommon. Most reports of recluse activity outside their range are actually cases of mistaken identity, since many harmless spiders look similar. And while their venom can cause tissue damage in rare cases, most bites heal without complication.
The lesson? Just because a spider is brown doesn’t make it a recluse—and just because a bite looks bad doesn’t mean a spider is to blame.
Myth 3: Hobo Spiders Are Dangerous House Invaders
The truth: For decades, hobo spiders (Eratigena agrestis) were thought to be a serious medical concern, blamed for necrotic bites similar to the brown recluse. More recent research, however, has found no evidence that their venom is harmful to humans. Hobo spiders are shy, and if they do bite, their effects are no worse than a mild insect sting.
These spiders typically build funnel-shaped webs in basements, window wells, and other secluded areas. While they can be unnerving, they don’t pose the medical threat once believed.
Myth 4: Tarantulas Are Fierce Attackers
The truth: Thanks to Hollywood, tarantulas loom large in the imagination as aggressive, oversized spiders ready to attack. The reality is much less dramatic. Tarantulas are slow, docile, and non-aggressive. In fact, many people keep them as pets.
Their bites are rare and comparable to a bee sting in terms of discomfort. More often, tarantulas rely on flicking tiny irritating hairs from their abdomen as a defense mechanism rather than biting. While not native to most of the U.S., their presence in pet trade and desert regions has kept their myths alive.
Myth 5: Cellar Spiders (“Daddy Longlegs”) Have Deadly Venom But Can’t Bite Humans
The truth: This is one of the most persistent spider myths of all time. The story goes that cellar spiders (Genus Pholcus), often mistaken for harvestmen, have venom more toxic than a black widow’s but lack fangs long enough to pierce human skin.
The reality? Cellar spiders are completely harmless. Their venom is not dangerous to humans, and they are capable of biting, though they rarely ever do. Instead of posing a threat, they spend their time in corners, ceilings, and basements, feeding on flies, mosquitoes, and even other spiders. They are allies, not enemies.
Why Spiders Matter—and Why They Don’t Belong in Your Facility
Spiders are beneficial in nature. They reduce insect populations, providing natural pest control. However, in commercial settings—whether food processing plants, retail stores, or office buildings—the presence of spiders and their webs can create serious challenges:
- Negative Impressions: Webs around entryways or in corners send the wrong message to customers, visitors, or employees.
- Health & Safety Concerns: While most spiders are harmless, their presence may cause anxiety and distraction, impacting workplace comfort.
- Underlying Pest Problems: Spiders appear where food sources are abundant, often signaling an underlying insect issue.
That’s where professional pest management comes in.
How Sprague Protects Commercial Facilities from Spider Problems
At Sprague Pest Solutions, we take a comprehensive approach to spider management. Our goal isn’t just to remove spiders but to address the conditions that allow them to thrive.
- Dewebbing Services: Routine dewebbing keeps your facility’s exterior and interior free of unsightly webs, improving your professional appearance and eliminating the hiding places spiders return to.
- Insect Reduction Programs: Since spiders follow their prey, reducing flying and crawling insect populations is key to keeping spider activity low. Our targeted treatments and monitoring programs make your facility less attractive to both insects and spiders.
- Customized Solutions: Every facility is unique. Whether you’re dealing with high spider pressure around loading docks, sensitive environments like food production, or customer-facing spaces, Sprague designs treatment plans to fit your needs.
By combining preventive services with targeted control, Sprague helps ensure spiders don’t become a distraction, or a brand risk, for your business.