Spiders

How to identify spiders

Most spiders in Wichita-area homes are harmless hunters, but two are worth knowing on sight. Brown recluses are common in Kansas: tan to brown, about the size of a quarter with legs, with a darker violin-shaped mark on the back. They hide in boxes, closets and basements. Black widows are glossy black with a red hourglass on the underside, usually in woodpiles, window wells and garages. Yellow sac spiders are pale yellow to cream with darker jaws, and often wander indoors, resting in the corners where walls meet ceilings.

Signs you may have a problem

• Webs in eaves, window wells, garages and basement corners
• Small silk egg sacs tucked into corners and clutter
• More sightings in fall as spiders and their prey move indoors
• Spiders caught on glue boards along baseboards

Why it matters

Most spiders are more nuisance than threat, and they feed on other insects. Brown recluse and black widow bites can need medical attention, though, and recluses in particular can build up quietly inside a home. Regular service treats entry points and builds a barrier outside, which cuts down both the spiders and the insects they feed on.

Common in: Wichita, Derby, Andover, Newton, Haysville, El Dorado, Hutchinson, McPherson, Arkansas City, and across Central Kansas.