DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPIDERS IN YOUR HOME

Spider's Web — Newburgh, IN — Pass Pest Control

There are thousands of different types of spiders, some more harmful than others. While you are most likely not going to find a deadly spider in your home, they are not usually something people welcome with open arms. Most spiders you find in your home are quite harmless and can be helpful pest managers. We do however understand that as homeowners you would like to keep these pest managers outside as opposed to in. Here are a few common spiders you might be noticing in your home this winter.

American House Spider

The house spider is on the smaller size, no bigger than a nickel. They are a brownish grey color with white markings. These spiders create tangled, messy webs, often creating the cobwebs you often find in corners and around light fixtures. They usually hide in corners, underneath cabinets, and basements. Typically, they will only bite in self-defense but are harmless to humans.

Wolf Spider

There are more than 200 species of wolf spiders throughout the country. They can range in size, the largest growing up to an inch and a half. They are typically gray, brown, or black with what looks like fur. Unlike normal spiders they do not spin a web to catch prey but hunt them down instead. They can usually be found in basements, garages, and sheds. They harmless to humans and would rather hide from us than bite.

Daddy Longlegs

These long-legged friends are probably very familiar to you, but if not, they have a small, brown, round body and eight skinny, long legs. You can typically find them in dark, damp places like cellars, basements, and sheds. Unlike most spiders, daddy longlegs like to continue to build onto their webs, which can leave a mess of cobwebs over time. There is a myth that these spiders are one of the more poisonous spiders around, but they cannot bite through human skin. However, these spiders remain harmless to humans, and the transmission of poison through a bite has not been proven.

Brown Recluse

You may have guessed by the name, but these spiders are obviously brown, they can be identified by the violin shaped marking on their head. Also, unlike most spiders they have six eyes as opposed to eight. You will typically find them in undisturbed corners in your home, basement, and shed. They also like to hide in folded towels, sheets, and piles of clothes. These bites are harmful to human and can cause necrotizing wounds, meaning it kills the surrounding cells and tissue. If you suspect you have been bitten, it is wise to contact your doctor immediately.

Black Widow

Black widows can be identified by their shiny black color and red hourglass shape on their underside. They can be found in mailboxes or garages, but they typically like dark corners, edges, and tall grass. Black widows can be very dangerous to humans. Around 2,200 bites are reported a year, but there has not been a black widow related death since 1983. If you have been bitten you may experience intense pain, muscle stiffness, possible nausea and vomiting usually within a few hours of the bite. If you or someone you know has been bitten go to the ER or contact a doctor immediately.

Getting Rid of Spiders

Usually, the best way to get rid of spiders, that does not involve stepping on them, is vacuuming them up or capture them in a cup and put them back outside. If you are looking for a more permanent solution here are some preventative measures to keep spiders out of your home:

Seal cracks around the home with caulk
Trim back vegetation from the home
Repair torn screens and openings in doors and windows
Inspect firewood before bringing it into the home
Use a dehumidifier in the home, as many spiders are attracted to moisture in the air

Don’t let pest take over your home or business this winter. Our team of experts is here to assist you with all your pest problems. Call Pass Pest Control at 812-575-4244 to schedule your free inspection today.

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Hand holding a magnifying glass over a bed, enlarging a bee illustration near a bedroom scene

BED BUGS: What They Are, How to Identify Them and How to Eliminate The

August 19, 2026

Bed bugs are small, parasitic blood feeding insects that can a comfortable home into a very unpleasant residence. Although they are not known to transmit diseases to people, their bites can cause itching and irritation, and an infestation can be difficult to correct without a complete application. However, in larger infestations the problem can cause open wounds due to scratching that can become infected. What are Bed Bugs? Bed bugs are small, dark brown insects that feed on blood. Adult bed bugs are about the size of apple seed where younger bed bugs are about the size of a grape seed and lighter in color. They are compact insects, allowing them to hide in cracks and crevices that are about the width of a dime. Despite their name, bed bugs aren’t limited to beds. They can hide in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, couches, chairs, carpets, cracks and other areas where individuals might rest. How to Identify Them? Bed Bugs can be difficult to spot because they are good at concealing themselves. Most common indications of an infestation are: Blood stains on bedding and mattresss Small dark spots indicating bed bug droppings Small eggs or cast skins Active bedbugs around tufts in the mattress, couches, chairs and cracks and crevices Red bites that occur in lines Where do they originate from? Bed bugs are excellent travelers. Bedbugs have a claw like hook similar to a tick which makes them the ultimate hitchhiker. They can enter a home through luggage, clothing, used furniture, bedding, and other personal belongings. They may also spread between rooms or apartments through cracks and other openings as well as person to person. How do you eliminate bed bugs? A few steps to take reduce your exposure to bed bugs: Inspect used furniture before you place it into the home. Use caution when traveling- inspect head boards, mattresses and all hotel furnishing before removing your items from your suitcase. Carefully check contents of luggage when returning home. Keep rooms organized which will make inspection easier in case of infestation. If you are suspicious of an item treat it for bedbugs before you place it into your home What Do I Do if I Find Bedbugs? Don’t discard of your furniture. Moving the items around can spread the infestation and make the problem worse. Start by carefully inspecting the area where bedbugs were observed. Wash and dry bedding on the highest setting available. Vacuuming is a valuable tool in helping to control infestations but can’t eliminate bedbugs on its own. Bed bugs can conceal themselves in cracks and crevices. Professional pest management may be necessary if the infestations is well established. What to Do? Bed bugs are an unpleasant, but they are a manageable pest problem. Early detection makes treatment easier. If you suspect and problem, inspect carefully, avoid spreading potentially infested belongings and consider contacting a qualified pest control professional for an appropriate treatment plan. If you are experiencing a reoccurring bed bug problem it is likely that you are coming into contact with an infected person or infested item. The key is to act in an organized manner rather than relying on a single treatment for moving to another room. With careful inspection and the correct treatment protocol bed bugs can be eliminated. There are many types of treatments for bedbugs and all of them work to a certain extent depending on the level of infestation and the condition of the home being treated. Heat is a very common way to control bedbugs but it only has about an 80 percent success rate. High clutter and easy avenues to avoid heat impact the ability of heat treatments to be successful. Temperatures have to be maintained at a level of 140 degrees or higher for at least three hours to see optimum results. Uncontrolled heat applications that maintain heat at 150 degrees for higher can result in serious damage to furniture, wiring and belongings. Chemical applications tend to perform very well in small to medium infestations but are challenged by aggressive, more populated bed bug infestations. Cryogenic applications do an excellent job of killing bedbugs on contact but do very little in controlling hidden infestations and leave no chemical residual for long term control. Fumigation is likely the most reliable method. Performed at the proper dosage rate a variety of insects and rodents can be eliminated with fumigation. However, fumigation tends to be more expensive that other applications and leaves no residual as chemical applications will.