Spider Control Services in Southeast Michigan

American House Spiders

House spiders are the most common spiders found in Michigan homes. They spin webs in corners, crawl spaces, basements, and other undisturbed areas and are largely harmless to humans. While a bite may cause mild irritation, house spiders are not considered dangerous. Their presence in large numbers is usually a sign that other insects are providing a food source

Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are large, dark brown, and fast-moving, which makes them startling to encounter indoors. Unlike most spiders, wolf spiders do not spin webs. Instead they actively hunt their prey at night, often on floors and along baseboards. They are not considered dangerous to humans, though a bite can cause localized pain and swelling. Wolf spiders typically enter homes through gaps in foundations and doors in fall as temperatures drop.

Orb Weavers

Orb weavers are most commonly found outdoors in gardens and along the exterior of the house, where they build large, distinctive circular webs. They are harmless to humans and beneficial in the yard as they catch flying insects, but they become a nuisance when they establish themselves around entry points, eaves, and window frames.

Jumping Spiders

Jumping spiders are small, compact spiders with eight legs and notably large front eyes. They are curious, fast-moving, and occasionally found indoors, though they prefer to live outdoors. Jumping spiders are harmless to humans and rarely a sign of a larger spider infestation.

Black Widow Spiders

Black widow spiders are one of the few genuinely dangerous spiders found in Michigan. Identifiable by their shiny black bodies and the distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen, black widows are not aggressive but will bite if disturbed. Black widow venom is potent and a bite requires medical attention for humans and pets alike.

Cats and dogs are naturally curious and may paw at or attempt to eat a black widow, which can result in a serious reaction that requires emergency veterinary care. Black widows prefer dark, undisturbed areas like basements, crawl spaces, garages, and wood piles. If you identify or suspect a black widow in or around your home, do not attempt to handle it and keep pets away from the area. Contact Defender Pest for safe, professional removal.

Brown Recluse Spiders

Brown recluse spiders are not native to Michigan and cannot survive our winters outdoors, but they can and do arrive inside homes through infested boxes, furniture, and secondhand items. Brown recluse are among the most dangerous spiders in the United States. They are identifiable by their light brown color and the violin shaped marking on their back. Brown recluses hide in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, attics, and storage spaces and are rarely seen.

A brown recluse bite can cause serious tissue damage in both humans and pets and requires immediate medical attention. Cats in particular may disturb brown recluse in storage areas or closets without you realizing it, so if your pet is showing signs of swelling or distress and you suspect a spider bite, contact your veterinarian right away. If you suspect brown recluse activity in your home, contact us right away.