Spiders Are Here-Autumn In Virginia
Updated: Oct 8
October 2, 2026
By PESTOUT
There are several types of spiders that can be found across Virginia. Not only do we want to prevent ourselves from any dangerous types of spiders, but most people do not want the non-dangerous spiders in their homes either.
Non-Dangerous Spiders
House spiders
Wolf spiders
Jumping spiders
Barn spiders
They are considered a nuisance that you can find in your Hampton Roads homes, especially in your cabinets and basements.
House spiders: They can be found in corners, hiding under beds, or just crawling across the floor in your home. Most people think that all spiders are dangerous, but spiders can be very beneficial creatures. They do not seek human contact and they are actually very busy eating the very insects that you don’t want in your house.
Wolf spiders are large, hairy spiders that you can find in dark, warm places like cabinets, basements, windows, house plants, around doors and garages. They look much worse than they are but they are not dangerous. This group of spiders can even be found in open fields throughout Virginia. People think that they are very dangerous which is wrong. They do not attack people. They are very beneficial because they eat other insects and other spiders.
Jumping spiders are white and black daring jumping spiders and are very common in Virginia. There are more than 5,000 species throughout the world. This harmless spider can jump up to 45 times the length of their body. The jumping spider can be found in well-lit outdoor areas and of course, in your house but they only jump if they are teased, disturb or they feel that they are under attack.
Barn spiders are usually found at this time of the year in Virginia. You can recognize these spiders because they are yellow or brown, and have striped legs. It is a known fact that if they are close to each other they can be very aggressive towards one another. If the barn spider has a meal on his web, then he will proceed to wrap it on the web with silk until he is 100% sure it won’t escape. They are known for making large webs in between trees in your yards. This spider gained its popularity through the children’s book “Charlotte’s Web”.
Dangerous Spiders
Besides the non-dangerous types of spiders in Virginia, there are spiders that can be harmful to people. They can get into your homes and be a danger to you or your family.
Black Widow is a glossy black spider that has a reddish-orange hourglass shape on its belly and is approximately ½ inch in length. The black widow is not aggressive, but it can harm you if it feels that you may destroy its nest. They build their nests in woodpiles, in the corners of garages, inside rotting tree stumps or anywhere that there is a small unoccupied or undisturbed hole. If you disturb its nest and it bites you, then you will not feel the pain for several hours. You may experience fever, nausea, a burning feeling in the skin, and difficulty in breathing. If you ever think that you have been bitten by a Black Widow spider, you should seek medical attention right away.
Brown Recluse Spiders are tan to dark brown in color and can be easily recognized by the violin-shaped found on the top of this dangerous spider. The brown recluse spider can be found in basements, attics, and crawl spaces. A brown recluse spider bite can lead to serious health issues. Sometimes these health issues can lead to skin ulceration, tissue deterioration, and scarring. Again, if you think that you have been bitten by a brown recluse spider, you should seek medical attention before any damage from the bite spreads to the surrounding tissue.
What Can You Do About Spiders?
While many spiders found around Virginia homes are harmless, most homeowners would still prefer not to share their living space with them. Spiders are often attracted to areas where other insects—their food source—are present. Reducing insect activity and eliminating places where spiders can hide can help make your home less inviting.
Here are a few ways you can help reduce spider activity around your home:
1. Remove webs regularly. Vacuum or sweep away spider webs, egg sacs, and spiders found in corners, basements, garages, around windows, and other areas of the home.
2. Reduce clutter. Spiders prefer quiet, undisturbed areas. Keeping basements, garages, attics, closets, and storage areas organized can reduce potential hiding places.
3. Seal entry points. Check around windows, doors, utility penetrations, and other openings where spiders and insects may enter. Repairing damaged screens and sealing gaps can help keep pests outside.
4. Keep the exterior tidy. Trim vegetation away from the home and avoid stacking firewood, boxes, or other materials directly against the foundation. These areas can provide shelter for spiders and other pests.
5. Reduce their food source. An increase in spiders may also indicate that other insects are present around your home. Managing ants, flies, mosquitoes, roaches, and other insects can make your property less attractive to spiders.
6. Use caution with unfamiliar spiders. Avoid handling spiders you cannot confidently identify. If you are concerned about potentially venomous spiders or are ex
periencing recurring spider activity, a professional pest inspection can help identify the problem and determine the appropriate treatment.
Don’t Let Spiders Make Themselves at Home
As temperatures change across Hampton Roads, spiders may begin looking for sheltered areas in and around your home. If you’re seeing more spiders, webs, or other pest activity, PESTOUT is here to help. Our experienced pest control professionals can inspect your property, identify problem areas, and provide effective treatment to help keep spiders and the insects they feed on under control.