Spider Control in Mid-Missouri: Protection for Your Home and Family

From the harmless to the medically significant, here is what you are likely to see around Mid Missouri:

⚠️ The Dangerous Duo (Medically Significant)

While most spiders are harmless, Missouri is home to two species that require professional attention:

• Brown Recluse (Fiddleback): Recognizable by the dark violin-shaped mark on its back. They love dark, undisturbed areas like cardboard boxes, attics, and closets.

• Black Widow: Famous for the red hourglass on the underside of its shiny black abdomen. They typically build messy webs in woodpiles, garages, and crawl spaces.

🕷️ Common Nuisance Spiders

These spiders are not considered a health threat but can be a major nuisance:

• Wolf Spiders: Large, hairy, and fast. They don’t build webs; they hunt on foot. They often wander indoors during the fall looking for warmth.

• Yellow Garden Spiders (Orb Weavers): Large, colorful spiders that build beautiful circular webs in your landscaping.

• Cellar Spiders (Daddy Longlegs): Known for their tiny bodies and extremely long legs, they are commonly found in damp basements and corners.

• Jumping Spiders: Small, fuzzy spiders that are active during the day and can be seen "jumping" on walls or windowsills to catch prey.