Types of Spiders in Illinois

Types of Spiders in Illinois

Illinois is home to a wide variety of spider species. While most are harmless and even beneficial, a few deserve special attention. Here is a guide to the spiders you are most likely to encounter in your Central Illinois home.

Brown Recluse

The brown recluse is the most medically significant spider in Illinois. These medium-sized, tan to brown spiders have a distinctive violin-shaped marking on their cephalothorax and six eyes in three pairs. They hide in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, attics, and storage boxes. Brown recluse bites can cause necrotic wounds and should receive medical attention.

Common House Spider

The common house spider is small, yellowish-brown with mottled markings, and builds messy cobwebs in corners, window frames, and basements. They are completely harmless and are the source of most cobwebs found in homes.

Wolf Spider

Wolf spiders are large, hairy, fast-moving spiders that hunt prey on the ground rather than building webs. They are typically gray or brown with mottled markings. Wolf spiders often enter homes in the fall and can be alarming due to their size, but they are not dangerous to humans.

Cellar Spider

Also known as daddy longlegs spiders, cellar spiders have very long, thin legs and small bodies. They build loose, irregular webs in basements, garages, and other damp areas. Cellar spiders are harmless and actually prey on other spiders, including brown recluses.

Yellow Sac Spider

Yellow sac spiders are small, pale yellow to light green spiders that build silken tubes or sacs in upper corners of rooms. They are active nocturnal hunters and are responsible for many indoor spider bites in Illinois. Their bites cause local pain and redness but are not medically serious.

Jumping Spider

Jumping spiders are small, compact spiders with large front-facing eyes that give them excellent vision. They are active during the day and hunt prey by stalking and pouncing. They come in various colors and are often found on sunny windowsills. Jumping spiders are harmless and can even be considered charming.

Garden Spiders

Several large orb-weaving spiders are common in Illinois yards and gardens, including the black and yellow garden spider. These spiders build large, circular webs and are beneficial predators of garden insects. They rarely enter homes and are not dangerous.

Professional Spider Control

If you are concerned about spiders in your home, particularly brown recluses, Terminix can help. We offer thorough spider inspections and targeted treatment services. Contact us today for a free inspection.