Common Spiders In North Carolina + Identification Guide!

There are many different types of spiders in North Carolina, and it can be difficult to identify them without prior knowledge. In this blog post, we will cover the most common types of spiders in North Carolina. We'll discuss how to identify these spiders, as well as how to prevent them from entering your home. Stay safe and learn all you can about the most common spiders in North Carolina!

What Is A Spider?

Spiders are arachnids. They have eight legs, two body segments, and a head with mouthparts that can pierce the skin. They do not have antennae or wings like insects do; instead, they spin silk from their spinnerets at the end of their abdomen which is used to trap insects that they will use as food.

Common Types Of Spiders In North Carolina:

There are many different types of spiders in North Carolina. Some species include the black widow spider, brown recluse spider, brown widow spider and wolf spiders (which are large with long legs). The following list is not exhaustive but gives an idea of what you might find living near your home:

Black Widow Spider In North Carolina:

The black widow spider is one of the most venomous spiders in North Carolina. They are usually shiny and black with a red hourglass shape on their underside. They can be found living in woodpiles, under rocks, or around homes throughout North Carolina. These are located more commonly in Western NC, so we focus on these spiders with our pest services in Boone NC!

Black widows will bite humans if they feel threatened but fortunately, their venom isn't life-threatening to most people, unless you have a serious allergic reaction.

Brown Recluse Spider In North Carolina:

The brown recluse spider is also one of the most venomous spiders in North Carolina, and are generally found on the Western side of NC. They are light to dark brown and have a violin-shaped marking on their head. They can be found living in woodpiles, under rocks, or around homes throughout North Carolina and are relatively common along those with wooded areas surrounding their homes.

Due to their shy nature, they tend to stay away from people and prefer dimly lit locations such as your basement or attic.

Brown recluses will bite humans if they are messed with and they are trying to protect their home, but generally aren't very aggressive if they are left alone. We've noticed an uptick in brown recluse activity this year, especially in Asheboro, NC, so you should consider our pest control services in Asheboro, NC if you've noticed brown recluses or other spiders!

Other Brown Spiders In NC:

When you see a brown spider, most people are instantly afraid that it's a brown recluse. That being said there are a handful of other common brown spiders in North Carolina, so you shouldn't immediately panic. When trying to identify brown spiders in NC you should look specifically for the violin-shaped marking on the back of their head, this is the biggest identification marker.

Other brown spiders can include:

• Wolf Spiders
• Cellar Spiders
• Funnel Web Spiders
• Fishing Spiders
• And Others!

Wolf Spiders In North Carolina:

Wolf spiders are very common in North Carolina and can be found living in tall grass, under rocks, or around homes. They are dark brown with white markings on their heads and abdomens. Wolf spiders can grow up to two inches long, making them one of the larger species of spider you may find in your home. 

Wolf spiders in North Carolina generally aren't aggressive and will only bite humans if they feel threatened. The bites from wolf spiders are generally not harmful but can be painful.

Cellar Spiders In North Carolina:

Cellar spiders are one of the most common spiders found in North Carolina. These small, long-legged arachnids can grow up to an inch long and have a dark brown body with light yellow markings on their abdomen. They live both indoors and outdoors under rocks or tall grass where they hunt other insects by wrapping them up in silk webs. 

Cellar spiders are known to hunt and kill other types of spiders and other insects which actually makes them a beneficial spider to have around your home.

Trapdoor Spiders In North Carolina:

Trapdoor spiders are another common spider found in North Carolina. These spiders get their name from the fact that they build a small, underground "trapdoor" out of soil and webbing which they use to hide during the day. Trapdoor spiders range in color from light brown to black and can grow up to one inch long. They tend to have shiny heads which is a good indicator of these types of spiders.

They are commonly found outdoors in North Carolina and generally won't venture indoors since they can't build their trapdoors inside. 

Large Spiders In NC:

There are a few species of spiders in NC that are rather large. Although large spiders can be more frightening, generally they aren't very dangerous to humans and pets, and they are spiders that feed on other pests around your home.

Some large spiders in NC include:

• Southern Trapdoor Spider
• Carolina Wolf Spider
• Rabid Wolf Spider
• Brown Recluse