There are many different types of spiders in North Carolina. Some of the most common include the black widow, brown recluse, and hobo spiders. Each of these spiders is unique and can be found in different parts of the state. In this guide, we’re going to cover the most common types of spiders in North Carolina, as well as how to identify each of these species!
There are almost different 50 different species of spiders found in NC, so it can be difficult to understand what type of spiders you’re dealing with. That being said, out of all of these spiders, only about 5-10 of these species are considered common spiders that you’d actually run across. So we’ll be focusing on the most common species as well as the most dangerous spiders in North Carolina:
Black Widow Spiders In North Carolina:
The first spider on our list is the black widow. Black widows are found throughout NC and are easily recognized by their glossy black bodies and red hourglass-shaped markings on their abdomens. Female black widows are typically larger than males and can reach sizes of up to 1.5 inches in length. These spiders spin webs that are usually around 2-3 feet in diameter and can be found in a variety of locations such as bushes, trees, sheds, garages, and even inside homes.
Black widows are considered to be the most dangerous spider in North Carolina as their venom is highly toxic to humans. Thankfully, black widow bites are relatively rare and usually only occur when the spider feels threatened or if it’s accidentally backed into a corner.
Black widow spiders are usually found in the southeastern and southwestern parts of the state. They generally will spend their time hiding in stacks of wood, or dimly lit locations such as your attic or basement. Although commonly found outdoors, these spiders are still commonly found in larger metro areas such as Raleigh or Charlotte.
Although they’ve gotten a bad rap, these spiders very rarely bite humans.
Brown Recluse Spiders In North Carolina:
Brown recluse spiders are one of the most feared spiders in North Carolina as their bites can cause serious health problems in humans. These spiders are small, brown, and have a violin-shaped marking on their backs. Brown recluses typically grow to be around 1/2 to 2/3 of an inch in length and spin webs that are around 3-6 inches in diameter.
Brown recluse spiders are most commonly found in the eastern and central parts of North Carolina. These spiders prefer to live in dark, secluded areas such as basements, closets, and attics.
Similar to the black widow, these spiders have the potential to cause serious medical issues with a bite, but thankfully they are quite skittish and would much prefer to hide rather than fight a human.
Wolf Spiders In North Carolina:
Wolf spiders get their name from the way they hunt their prey. Unlike other spiders who build webs to catch food, wolf spiders actively stalk and chase down their meals.
These spiders can grow to be fairly large, with some species reaching lengths of over 2 inches. Wolf spiders are generally dark brown or gray in color and have stripes or other markings on their bodies. Wolf spiders can often be confused with brown recluse spiders due to their size and brown color.
Wolf spiders are found throughout North Carolina and are most commonly seen in the months of April through October when they are actively hunting for food.
While wolf spider bites are usually not harmful to humans, they can cause minor discomfort and swelling. These spiders should be avoided if possible, but if you must interact with them, use caution and avoid getting bitten.
That being said, wolf spiders in NC are actually great spiders to have around your property because they will actively help with pest control around your home and will keep to themselves!
Hobo Spiders In North Carolina:
Hobo spiders are also found throughout the state of North Carolina. These spiders are brown in color and have a chevron-shaped marking on their backs. They are often mistaken for brown recluse spiders, but hobo spiders do not have a fiddle-shaped marking on their backs.
Hobo spiders are relatively large in length and can span from 1 inch – 1.5 inches in length.
That being said, hobo spiders generally aren’t considered dangerous to humans. They can bite and they technically have venom, but it doesn’t pose a threat to humans.
Cellar Spiders In North Carolina:
Cellar spiders are one of the most common types of spiders found in the state of North Carolina. They get their name from the fact that they’re often found in dark, damp places like basements and cellars – hence the name “cellar spider.”
These spiders are generally harmless to humans and pose no threat. They are small in body size, typically only reaching about 1/4 inch in length, but have long legs that can reach up to around 2 inches in length.
Cellar spiders are also sometimes called “daddy long-legs,” although this is a different type of spider altogether, they do look very similar.
Trapdoor Spiders In North Carolina:
Trapdoor spiders are another common type of spider found in North Carolina. They get their name from the fact that they build burrows with a “trapdoor” that they can close off to keep predators out.
These spiders are also generally harmless to humans and pose no threat. They are slightly larger than cellar spiders, typically reaching about 1/2 inch in length.
Trapdoor spiders usually build their burrows in gardens or other areas with loose, soft soil. They are most active at night when they hunt for food.
Final Thoughts On Spiders In North Carolina:
As mentioned earlier, there are quite a few different species of spiders that call NC home. That being said, many of these spiders are only located in very specific parts of North Carolina, so I wanted to only cover the spiders that you’re likely to run across.
If you think you’ve been bitten by a spider, take a look at our guide on identifying spider bites, and/or contact a home pest control service that covers spiders.