Are House Spiders Poisonous?
Some of the most common spiders found in Virginia and Maryland include the common house spider (or American spider), the wolf spider, the brown recluse spider, and the black widow. House spiders, in particular, have fangs that they use to paralyze their prey, and these may affect human beings as well.
Contact with a house spider may cause allergic reactions in some individuals, for instance. Here are three common household spiders that might be considered poisonous:
Brown recluse spider
Although this species can easily be found in the house, they are not easy to notice because of their brown color which acts as a sort of camouflage. They can cause an allergic reaction on contact thanks to the venom in their fangs.
The brown recluse spider has a smoother appearance than other similar species. It can be challenging to spot this spider due to its dull colour but you can differentiate it from other house spiders by the classic violin mark on the back. Its abdomen does not have any markings, and the legs have no thick hairs. Such spiders prefer inhabiting warm, dark, quiet places. Since they like hiding, it is easy for them to bite without notice.
Brown recluse bites are characterised by red, itchy skin. The bitten area then turns into a blister before worsening and becoming an open sore with tiny red dots. You may also experience nausea and fever. Toxins from the bite may lead to tissue death or necrosis that can take a long time to heal. Read more from Pest aid…
When dealing with house spiders, you need to be careful because they also like nesting around warm, dark places, so you may not easily notice them.
Hobo Spider
This spider is responsible for most spider bites in homes. They have hairy legs, a herington pattern, and mottled coloration. Their bite is usually painful and can bring some symptoms including fever, red swelling, and nausea.
What they look like: Hobo spiders are tannish-brown and the top of the spider may look mottled, with darker and lighter spots, Potzler says. They look pretty hairy and have spiny hairs coming off the legs.
Where you’ll find them: While they’re usually outside, they sometimes venture indoors. “It can hide in clothing, beds, and shoes,” Potzler says.
Can they harm you? Yes. “The hobo spider can inflict a painful bite that results in localized red swelling and some pain, but no necrotic lesion,” Potzler says. Usually, symptoms will get better within 24 hours with OTC painkillers and ice. Read more from Prevention…
In case of a bite from a hobo spider, it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention to ease and treat the symptoms.
Black widow spider
These are mostly associated with urban habitats. The females have a bright red mark in form of a dot on their undersides, while the male are smaller and actually less poisonous compared to the females.
Though their bites are rare, they’re one of the most harmful—and can be potentially fatal. Black widow spider bites aren’t even typically painful at first, which makes them tricky to track. Toxins from black widow spider venom affect the nervous system, and symptoms most often resemble the flu. More severe reactions result in rigid muscles, sweating, severe pain, and patchy paralysis.
Luckily, black widows are timid arachnids with markedly unique features that make them simple to identify. Their bodies are usually jet-black and shiny all over, except for a distinct red marking on their abdomen. A well-fed spider can appear brown due to their enlarged black body becoming stretched and full. Widow spiders nest primarily outside within clutter and build their webs in doors, near vents, and in spaces where traffic from other insects is likely.’’ Read more from Joshua’s pest control…
The black widow spider’s bite can also cause, fever, nausea, or even muscle cramps. It’s important to seek medical attention immediately if bitten by one.
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