What You Need to Know About Spiders

According to entomologist Rick Vetter of the University of California, Riverside, most spiders are helpful to humans and the environment. Most of the 3,000 species of spiders found in the United States are not poisonous, even if aggressive: take the pale sac spider as an example. This common spider, found inside many homes, causes the most spider bites, but its venom is not considered dangerous.

This does not mean that spiders are completely harmless, however. Nearly all types of spiders have venom, and a few species have venom toxic enough to be of consequence to humans.

The yellow sac spider builds nests of silken tubes under stones, or in grass or leaves. A small spider, often measuring only about 0.6 of an inch or less, its venom is made up of a substance that can impair the functionality of your body’s cells or even destroy them completely. Unlike some other spiders, this species is not particularly docile. Often found inside homes and other structures, female yellow sac spiders have been known to bite as a defense mechanism while protecting their eggs.

Though this spider’s cousin, the black widow spider, receives a great deal more press, the venom of the brown widow spider is thought to be twice as powerful. The brown widow is thought to be a native of Africa, though the first specimen was identified in South America. It is considered to be an invasive species and can be found in the Gulf Coast states as well as southern California.

The appearance of the brown widow spider can vary significantly from one specimen to the next. Their body color can range from tan to almost black. Their abdomens sport ornate markings of white, yellow, brown, orange, or black, with an orange hourglass marking. Though the brown widow spider is not aggressive and injects only a small amount of venom when it bites, it has been linked to at least two deaths.

Wolf spiders comprise a large group that boasts about 125 species found throughout the United States. The largest of these has a body about an inch in length with legs that are similar in size.

These dark, hairy arachnids are often found outdoors, where they build tubular nests lined with silk under stones or logs and in the grass and in leaf litter. Known for their running speed, wolf spiders can be found inside homes, especially if they have an insect population that entices them. They are not considered to be aggressive and generally only bite in self-defense. Although venomous, most people will experience only noticeable trauma at the bite site due to its fangs. However, allergic reactions have resulted in dizziness, nausea, and elevated heart rates.

The brown recluse spider is considered to be one of the most dangerous spiders in the country. Only about 0.25 inches in length with one-inch legs, their venom destroys the blood vessel walls near the bite. This can sometimes result in a large skin ulcer which can take months to heal and which may become infected. In rare cases, these infections can be fatal.

One other potentially dangerous spider species is the hobo spider. The hobo spider can measure about half an inch in body length, with legs that can grow as long as two inches. This brown arachnid’s bite is so painless that it is often initially overlooked. But in some cases, after about 24 hours, the wound site will begin to blister. Within 36 hours, the blister can disintegrate and leave a gaping, oozing sore. Other symptoms of a hobo spider bite are weakness, temporary memory loss, nausea, fatigue, and vision impairment. The hobo spider’s habitat is primarily within the states of Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Oregon, Montana, Colorado and Washington.

The treatment of a spider bite depends on the species. In most cases, washing the site of the bite with soap and water will be necessary. You might experience some redness and swelling in this area.

You will probably feel a slight pinprick at the time of a black widow spider bite. But within a few hours, you may notice muscle cramps, stiffness, fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and other symptoms. If you are bitten by a brown recluse spider, there will be stinging and redness at the site. Later, the area will blister before forming an ulcer. Both of these spider bites warrant more care than than you can administer at home. After washing the area with mild soap and water, apply a cool, damp cloth to it and elevate the bite if it is on a limb. Then seek out medical attention as soon as you can.

Spiders are often found near their source of food. If you have an insect problem inside your home – such as ants in the spring – chances are that you will also start finding more spiders as well.

Some types of spiders like to live in moist or damp environments. These include places like your basement, shed or garage.

If spiders continue to appear in the corners of your home no matter how often you sweep the areas down, you most likely have an infestation. It is during these times, when typical cleaning and trapping strategies aren’t working, that you should call in a professional to deal with it.