Most spiders around Austin are harmless and even helpful. Two are worth knowing on sight: the black widow and the brown recluse. Both are shy and bite only when pressed against skin, but their bites can need medical care.
Black widows
Shiny black with a red hourglass on the belly. They build messy, tangled webs low to the ground in quiet spots: garages, sheds, woodpiles, under patio furniture, around water meters and in the corners of outdoor storage.
Brown recluses
Tan to brown, about the size of a quarter with legs out, often with a darker violin shape behind the head. They hide indoors in boxes, closets, attics, behind furniture and in clothes or shoes left on the floor.
Keeping them out
- Store things in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes
- Shake out shoes, gloves and clothes that have been sitting in the garage
- Wear gloves when moving firewood or reaching into storage
- Keep beds and couches pulled a few inches from the wall
- Keep the rest of the bug population down, since that’s what spiders eat
Regular service treats the garage, eaves and quiet spots where these spiders hang out. See spider control for more.
Need help? Request service online or call (737) 420-7691. Osborne Pest Control is locally owned, with no contracts.
Posted on November 06, 2026 in Pest Tips