Spider Control in Memphis
Most spiders around a Memphis house are harmless and eat other bugs. The one worth a professional is the brown recluse, which can live in closets and garages in large numbers. Spider control is mostly an inspection and sticky traps to measure activity, followed by clutter reduction and treatment of cracks and voids.
Call (901) 668-7063Ask for an inspection
We only refer companies with a current Tennessee Department of Agriculture pest control charter. Check one yourself.
On this page
If you have seen a brown spider with a violin-shaped mark, save it in a jar or take a clear photo. Identification comes first.
The spiders worth calling about
Brown recluse
The brown recluse is found throughout the south central and Midwestern United States, according to the University of Kentucky. Adults with legs extended are about the size of a quarter, tan to brown, often with a fiddle-shaped mark behind the head. They hide in dark, undisturbed places like boxes and closets, or in attics and garages. Infestations in a home range from a few spiders to several hundred.
They are not aggressive. Most bites happen when a spider is trapped against skin, in clothing or bedding. Bites are rare, but the venom can cause a serious wound, so an infestation deserves attention. Our brown recluse guide goes further.
Black widows
Shiny black with a red hourglass underneath, usually in woodpiles, meter boxes, under patio furniture and in the corners of sheds. Wear gloves when you reach into those places.
Everything else
Wolf spiders and cellar spiders look alarming and are harmless to people. If they bother you, knocking down webs and turning off porch lights at night (which draw the insects they eat) does a lot.
What spider control includes
- An inspection of closets and storage rooms, plus the attic and crawlspace.
- Sticky traps along walls to see where activity is and how much there is.
- Treatment of cracks and voids, plus the perimeter where spiders and their prey come in.
- Advice on clutter and storage. Cardboard boxes in a garage are a recluse hotel; sealed plastic bins are not.
For brown recluses, expect more than one visit. Treatment alone rarely ends an established infestation; it works with clutter reduction and sealing.
Why Memphis houses get them
Wooded lots and storage areas give recluses the dark, undisturbed places they like, and mild winters with only about 6 nights a year at 20°F or colder (NOAA, 1996 to 2025) mean the insects they eat are around most of the year.
What it costs
Spider work is usually priced as part of general pest control. This Old House puts a one-time general visit at $50 to $500 nationally (March 2026). A recluse infestation that needs several visits will cost more; ask for the full plan in writing. See the cost guide.
Questions homeowners ask
Are brown recluses common in Memphis?
The brown recluse's native range covers the south central United States, which includes west Tennessee. They hide in quiet spots and are seen less often than they are present.
How do you get rid of brown recluse spiders?
Start with sticky traps and less clutter. A company adds sealing and treatment of cracks and voids over several visits.
Should I worry about every brown spider?
No. Most brown spiders are not recluses. Save one in a jar or photograph it for identification.
What should I do if a brown recluse bites me?
Call your doctor, and bring the spider if you can. Call 911 for a severe reaction.