Spider Bites

Barn Weaver Spiders: The Least Harmful

The barn weaver spider is more typically known as a common house spider. The spider poses no threat and is more helpful in killing ground-dwelling insects. These spiders live 2 -5 years with females living longer. If you do get a bite from a house spider, wash the area with warm water and soap.  If you need pain relief, over the counter meds will help. The worst house spider bite can feel like a pin or needle. If you see more house spiders than what you are comfortable with, call, and we can inspect any hotspots.

Yellow Sac Spiders: A Cause for Concern

Yellow sac spider is not the most dangerous, but their venom is excruciating when they bite because their fangs are large. Swelling and redness will occur from yellow sac spider bites. They like to hide in high places like the corner of the wall. Yellow sac spider bites occur when they fall off the ceiling, then landing on people because they become startled, then bite.  Mostly hunting at nighttime, yellow sac spider bites usually happen when you don’t know they are there, and brushing them away scares them enough to bite.

Wolf Spiders: Camouflage With Nature

Wolf spiders are the most common spiders in Wisconsin. Their bites happen when they become threatened, so do not handle them. If bitten, the skin feels like burning, itching, and swelling occurs in the bite area.  Sometimes, lymph nodes will swell in reaction. Wolf Spiders are hard to notice because they blend in with leaves. When planning on a camping trip, make sure to have allergy topical skin treatment or oral antihistamine, like Benadryl, for itch relief in your first aid bag, because one of the most common places to come across a wolf spider bites is in a wooded area.

Northern Black Widow: Seek Medical Attention

The northern black widow spider bites have no reports of deaths in the United States, but that doesn’t mean their bite is painless.  Agony and discomfort accompany a black widow bite.  Often when they inject you with their venom, your body responds with flulike symptoms. There is only one black widow spider antivenom available in emergency care, Antivenin Latrodectus mactans (Merck & Co, Inc, Whitehouse Station, NJ.)

However, unless they feel like they are in danger, these spiders rarely bite. What makes a black widow reaction even rarer is the fact that only the female is venomous. You can find these spiders in garages and tall grass in your yard. Look around your grill and patio set; there is a chance a northern black widow happens to make her web overnight.

The Brown Recluse Spider: Most Harmful and Terrifying Situation

One of the most dangerous spiders in the United States is the brown recluse spider. The good news is, they are shy and non-aggressive.  You can likely find them hiding in boxes, under furniture, and other warm, dry spots. Brown recluse bites can trigger swelling, pain, headaches, and stomach cramps. In worst-case scenarios, the swelling around the bite area travels further through your body. Seek medical attention immediately if bitten by a brown recluse.

It’s rare, but with these sider bites necrosis occurs, this is when the poison kills the skin cells, causing deep ulcers. The brown recluse spiders are the most dangerous animal in Wisconsin.