Most spiders around North Texas homes are harmless and even helpful: they eat crickets, flies and other insects. But nobody wants webs across every eave, wolf spiders in the living room or, worse, a brown recluse in a closet or a black widow in the garage. Those two are the spiders of real medical concern in Collin County, and they're the reason many families call us. Around the Block is a family-owned, Christian-owned company that has handled spiders for Collin County homes since 2012.
Get a free estimate → or call (469) 340-0200.
Spiders we see most in North Texas
Brown recluse: Tan to brown with a darker violin shape behind the head. Hides in closets, attics, garages, boxes and shoes. Shy, but its bite can cause a serious wound.
Black widow: Shiny black with a red hourglass underneath. Builds messy webs in woodpiles, meter boxes, under patio furniture and in garage corners. Its bite needs medical attention.
Wolf spiders: Large, hairy and fast. They hunt on the ground and wander inside in fall, often following crickets.
Orb weavers and cellar spiders: Webs on eaves, porches, lights and corners. Harmless, but they make the outside of the house look neglected.
Signs of a spider problem
Webs coming back on eaves, porch lights and window frames within days
Spiders in sinks and tubs, or along baseboards
Small, tan egg sacs in garage corners or behind stored boxes
Lots of crickets or other insects. Spiders follow their food.
How we treat spiders
Inspect. We look for the species, where they're hiding and what they're eating. Heavy cricket activity means heavy spider activity.
Web sweep and exterior treatment. We knock down webs on eaves and around doors, windows and lights, then treat the foundation and the places spiders hide.
Inside and the garage. We treat cracks, corners, closets, attic access and garage edges where recluses and widows hide.
Go after the food. Our quarterly plan also covers crickets, ants and roaches, so spiders have less to eat.
Follow up. We come back 30 days after the first visit, then every quarter. Re-treatments between visits are free. Our organic program runs on a two-month schedule.
What you can do at home
Store items in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes in garages and closets.
Shake out shoes, gloves and clothes that have been sitting in the garage.
Move woodpiles and bricks away from the house.
Switch porch lights to yellow bulbs to attract fewer insects, and fewer spiders.
Install door sweeps and seal gaps around windows and utility lines.
Where we see spiders most
Homes near woods and creeks, like those in Fairview, Lucas and Murphy, see more brown recluses and black widows. New neighborhoods in Melissa and Anna see big wolf spider seasons that follow the late-summer cricket swarms.
Spider control FAQ
How do I know if it's a brown recluse?
Look for a uniform tan-brown color, long thin legs and a dark violin shape on the back. If you're not sure, catch it in a jar or take a photo and show us. We'll identify it.
Can you get rid of all spiders?
We can greatly reduce them and keep webs off the house. Spiders will always be around outdoors, but a regular plan keeps them out of your living space.
Do I need to leave the house during treatment?
Usually not. We'll tell you what we're using and where, and when it's okay for kids and pets to be in treated areas.
Why do spiders come back so fast?
Usually because there's plenty to eat. Treating crickets and other insects, plus sealing entry points, is what makes the difference.
Do you knock down webs?
Yes. We sweep webs from eaves, doors, windows and porch lights as part of the exterior treatment.
Are spiders included in the quarterly plan?
Yes. Spiders are covered inside and out, garage included, along with the crickets and insects they feed on. Re-treatments between visits are free.
What should I do if I think I was bitten by a brown recluse or black widow?
Contact your doctor or Poison Control right away. If you can safely catch the spider in a jar, keep it so it can be identified, then call us to treat the home.
Related pages
Get your free estimate
Request a free estimate, or call (469) 340-0200 (office: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm).
Around the Block Pest Control: family-owned and Christian-owned · 8720 Silverado Trail, STE 3B, McKinney, TX 75070 · TX license #0782331 · Serving McKinney, Allen, Plano, Frisco, Prosper and Collin County since 2012