The literal stuff of nightmares

While they aren't very big (female black widows only get to be about ½ inch), black widows strike fear in the hearts of many homeowners. Characterized by their jet-black bodies and distinctive red markings with the female typically displaying a red hourglass mark. In homes, they can be found building webs under desks and other furniture. If you are unlucky enough to be bitten by one of these spiders, seek immediate medical attention, as their venom has systemic effects on the body like muscle spasms and abdominal cramps.

Brown recluses, as their name suggests, are reclusive arachnids and tend to hide in boxes and other dark areas. They'd rather hide than bite you, but if they do bite you, watch out! Brown recluses are one of the few spiders in North America with medically significant venom, meaning that a bite from these guys require immediate medical attention.

Similar to brown recluses, wolf spiders are solitary hunters that use their excellent eyesight, rather than a web, to hunt and ambush their prey.

Often confused with wolf spiders and even brown recluses (the markings are different, but we don't blame you for not wanting to get too close), hobo spiders are typically called funnel-web spiders because of the funnel-like web they use to trap prey. They can grow to be up to 17 mm long and dark brown in color.

Cellar spiders, sometimes called daddy long-leg spiders, are characterized by their long slender legs and irregular web shape. Expect to find spindle-legged spiders in your attic or cellar where the environment is dark and damp.

Small and furry, these spiders tend to ambush their prey rather than wait for it to crawl into their web. As their name suggests, these spiders can jump up to six inches. That may not seem very high, but it's probably enough to startle you.