The 8 Most Common Spiders in Kentucky Homes
And How to Keep Them Out
-The Four Seasons Pest Solutions Team
07/24/2025
Spiders are a part of life in Kentucky, and nobody knows that better than all of us here at Four Seasons Pest Solutions! Whether you’re flipping on a basement light, pulling decorations from the attic, or enjoying a summer evening on the porch, chances are you’ve crossed paths with at least one of these eight-legged pests, and, quite possibly, almost had a panic attack! While most spiders are harmless and even beneficial to the environment, some become unwelcome house guests, and a couple could even pose a risk to your health.
Here’s a look at the 8 most common spiders in Kentucky, based on data gathered from incoming calls, their unique characteristics, and how to control them in and around your Kentucky home:
🕷 1. Common House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)
- Description: Small brown to tan body with bulbous abdomen and long legs. About 1 inch in total diameter.
- Web Type: Messy, tangled cobwebs are often found in corners or basements.
- Bite Risk: Harmless to humans.
- Control Tip: Regular vacuuming/cleaning and sealing entry points help prevent infestation.
🕷 2. Wolf Spider (Hogna spp.)
- Description: Large, fast, hairy spider. Gray or brown with dark markings. Range from 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter.
- Habitat: Found on the ground, especially in basements, garages, and under furniture.
- Bite Risk: Can bite if provoked, causing mild pain or redness.
- Control Tip: Declutter, reduce ground-level humidity, and seal cracks.
🕷 3. Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa)
- Description: Small, tan to light brown with a violin-shaped marking on its thorax (back). Average about 1 – 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Habitat: Dark, undisturbed areas like attics, closets, cardboard boxes, old furniture, etc.
- Bite Risk: Yes. Bites are medically significant. May cause necrotic skin ulcers.
- Control Tip: Professional inspection recommended. Reduce clutter and use sticky traps for monitoring.
🕷 4. Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans)
- Description: The adult female is shiny black with a red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. They range from 1 – 1.5 inches in total diameter.
- Habitat: Outdoors in sheds, woodpiles, garages, under decks, and especially on the western or southern-facing walls.
- Bite Risk: Yes, potentially dangerous. Causes muscle pain, nausea, or cramping.
- Control Tip: Wear gloves when working outdoors, knock down webs, and contact a pro if found indoors.
🕷 5. Cellar Spider (Pholcus phalangioides)
- Description: Often mistaken for daddy longlegs, with a tiny body and extremely long, thin legs. Total size can exceed 2 inches in diameter.
- Web Type: Loose, irregular webs in corners and basements.
- Bite Risk: Harmless.
- Control Tip: Regular dusting and vacuuming keeps them away.
🕷 6. Orb Weaver (Araneidae family)
- Description: Variable-sized, colorful spiders with bulbous bodies. Includes the yellow garden spider and barn spider. Sizes range from a total diameter of a 1/2 inch up to 6 inches!
- Web Type: Large, circular webs built outdoors, especially in eaves, along trails, etc.
- Bite Risk: Harmless and beneficial, preys on flying insects.
- Control Tip: Typically seasonal and outdoor. Remove webs near entryways if needed.
🕷 7. Jumping Spider (Salticidae family)
- Description: Small, stout spiders with thick legs and large front eyes. Black, gray, or iridescent green. Average about 1/2 inche in total size.
- Behavior: Daytime hunters that jump when disturbed.
- Bite Risk: Bites are harmless, rare, and mild.
- Control Tip: Use perimeter sprays and seal gaps in doors or windows. *These are very beneficial spiders outdoors.
🕷 8. False Black Widow (Steatoda grossa)
- Description: Brown to purplish body, often confused with black widow but lacks the red hourglass. Range from 1 to 1.5 inches in total diameter.
- Web Type: Cobwebs in dark, quiet places.
- Bite Risk: Not dangerous, but can cause minor localized pain.
- Control Tip: Knock down webs and treat corners with residual dust or sprays.
Spider Control Tips for Kentucky Homes
Whether you’re dealing with harmless web builders or venomous recluses, a few simple steps can help reduce spider populations in and around your home:
✅ Eliminate Webs
Remove webs regularly from corners, ceilings, crawlspaces, and porches.
✅ Reduce Outdoor Attractants
- Keep outdoor lights off or use yellow bug bulbs (these lights attract less spider prey).
- Move firewood, compost, and debris away from home foundations.
✅ Seal Up the Structure
- Repair torn screens, seal cracks in siding and foundations, and install door sweeps.
- Spiders sneak through gaps as small as 1/16 of an inch.
✅ Remove Clutter
Cardboard boxes, piles of clothes, and old storage containers create ideal hiding places for spiders.
✅ Vacuum Regularly
Vacuum baseboards, behind furniture, corners, and under appliances to remove egg sacs and webs.
✅ Use Sticky Traps
Place traps in corners, closets, or garages to monitor spider activity and reduce the population.
✅ Professional Treatment
For persistent problems or dangerous species, such as brown recluse or black widow spiders, call the pros at Four Seasons Pest Solutions!
Conclusion
Spiders are a natural part of Kentucky’s ecosystem, but they don’t have to be part of your living room. Whether you’re trying to keep cellar spiders out of your basement or need help identifying and removing venomous intruders, Four Seasons Pest Solutions is your local expert in spider control. Our staff are certified, trained, professional, and ready to help!
And remember, it’s okay to live among pests… but you don’t have to live with them!
