When it comes to states known for big things, Texas is usually the first one that comes to mind. In the land of spiders, though, Virginia boasts some pretty big arachnids. While the biggest ones tend to be the scariest, the good news is that they’re not poisonous. At the top of the list is the Wolf Spider. This beast’s body can reach an inch and a half and have a leg span of over 4 inches. It’s no surprise that speed is one of their greatest assets. They can reach speeds of 2 feet per second which they use to track down prey. They are known for their excellent eyesight, having three rows of eyes. The eyes don’t move, but that’s not necessary when you can see in four directions at the same time. This makes them easily seen at night because light reflects in their eyes very well.
Next up is the Black and Yellow Garden Spider. Female’s bodies can be over an inch with a leg span of around two and a half inches. Males are less than half that size. If they committed a crime, it would be tough to find them because of the number of aliases, writing, zipper, corn, and McKinley, to name a few. They are also called the zigzag spider due to the zigzag pattern of their webs. The webs are a telltale sign of them, about 2 feet in diameter, with supports that can stretch more than 3 feet apart. Watch where you walk in the fall because that’s when they are most active. They are not particularly aggressive but walk into one of the impressive webs, and you may get bitten.
Tied for 3rd place are the Barn and Grass Spiders. These species can reach a body length up to ¾ of an inch. The barn can live for about seven years, dropping over nine eggs sacs, containing hundreds of young. They are also fast spiders and not aggressive, but try not to disturb them during mating season, which runs from May through July. Grass Spiders are also known for their distinctive webs. They are large in a horizontal sheet, up to three feet wide, a tunnel located nearby, and found on grass, fences, and most ground cover. As temperatures outside fall, they can make their way inside.
No mention of spiders would be complete without mentioning the two most-feared ones in the United States, the Brown Recluse and Black Widow. The Brown Recluse has not established a permanent presence in Virginia but can make their way here in suitcases and moving boxes. Their urban legend precedes them, and most claimed sightings are actually wolf spiders.
The Black Widow, though, is the only poisonous spider native to Virginia. They like moist, dark places, like woodpiles, but can also make their way into your home for warmth. Their bites, while painful, are treatable and rarely fatal.
Spiders, in general, are not fun to come across. If you have issues with any of the over 50 species in Virginia, contact Victory Pest Management. We are veteran-owned and have been servicing Midlothian and the surrounding areas for over 15 years. We offer free estimates with contract and no-contract services available.
