Spider Bite Pictures – What Do Spider Bites Look Like?

It’s only natural to assume that you’d know when you’ve been bitten by a spider. After all, when you live through a huge fear, you’d think you’d be aware that your nightmare has just come true. Still, it’s 100% possible to notice a bite and have zero clue what kind of creepy insect it came from.

As a whole, spider bites don’t actually happen as much as people think. “Spiders get blamed for a lot of skin irritations that are not their fault,” explains Nancy Troyano, Ph.D., a board-certified medical entomologist with Ehrlich Pest Control.

That said, spider bites can and do happen. Some are completely harmless—causing just a bit of redness and swelling—and heal up after just a couple of days, while other venomous bites can cause serious complications, especially if you don’t see a doctor right away.

But how can you know for sure if that bite you’re dealing with is from a spider—and a dangerous one, at that? We tapped a doctor and entomologists for tips on what to look for and rounded up photos to give you an idea of what spider bites could look like. Here’s how to identify them, and what you should do if you’re unlucky enough to receive a bite.

First, why do spiders bite?

Breathe a sigh of relief: Most types of spiders don’t actually go out of their way to bite humans. “Spiders bite humans as a defense mechanism, a last resort to protect themselves,” says Troyano. When spiders do bite, they do so to paralyze their prey—however, you’re not it.

That said, there can be situations where a common house spider (like a jumping spider or wolf spider) might mistake you for prey or feel like you’re threatening them, even if you’re not trying to take them on. Maybe you put your hand in an old baseball glove where a spider took up residence or you happen to accidentally prop up your feet right near where they were hanging out. Whatever it is, an innocent move to you could seem like a threatening one to a spider, causing them to bite.

There is a possible exception, though: Yellow sac spiders—yellowish or pale beige spiders that like to build tent-like silk structures—are reported to be “recreational biters” meaning, “they bite us just for the fun of it,” says Howard Russell, M. S., an entomologist at Michigan State University.

What does a spider bite look like? Are there typical symptoms?

CREDIT: mia! / Flickr

Flickr Creative Commons / mia!

If you’re bitten and see a spider scurrying away, the odds are pretty high that it was the culprit. If you’re not sure where your bite came from, it might be trickier to pin down. “With a few exceptions, it is very hard, even for medical professionals, to positively identify a bite or skin irritation as a spider bite.” Troyano says, and the fact is true for many insect bites. However, there are a few signs that it could be from a spider:

✔️ Two tiny holes: Spiders have two fangs, so you might see two tiny holes in the center of the bite, Russell says.

✔️ Redness and swelling: When a spider bites, foreign proteins from its saliva are injected into your skin, Troyano explains. That can cause a localized reaction that’s similar to what might happen with if you were bitten by a mosquito or stung by a bee. You might have swelling bite, redness, or irritation around the bite site.

✔️ Mild pain: As for what it feels like, Troyano says most people compare it to how you’d feel when you’re stung by a bee—so, not fun.

✔️ Possible itching: This symptom depends on how you personally react to an insect bite, but some spider bites can cause the release of the compound histamine in your body, and that can cause itching, says Nick Kman, M.D., an emergency medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

In the U.S., there are two types of spider bites that can cause more severe reactions: the brown recluse and black widow.

Brown recluse spider bites

The brown recluse—also known as the fiddleback or violin spider—has a distinct violin-shaped marking that starts at the top of its head and goes down its back. It’s also identified by its six eyes instead of the typical eight. It likes to hide in homes—preferably in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, shoes, or basements—and sheds, most commonly in the Midwest and southern states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The brown recluse cannot bite a human without “some form of counter pressure,” per the CDC—say, you slip your foot into a shoe and trap it. However, its bite can be extremely painful should you be unlucky enough to get one. “In the case of 90% of brown recluse bites, reactions are not severe, but they can be,” Troyano says. “If the spider’s bite includes a large enough dose of hemotoxic venom, it can cause necrotic wounds or lesions that can take months to heal or require surgical repair.” This can appear as a white blister or discolored ulcer and cause other system-wide symptoms like muscle aches and a fever.

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Reactions to a brown recluse spider bite can also vary based on the health and age of the person who is bitten, Troyano says. For an elderly or diabetic person who may be immunocompromised, healing from a bite may be more difficult than for someone with a healthier immune system

Black widow spider bites

Identifying a black widow is easy: It has a shiny, jet black exterior with a bright-red, hourglass-shaped marking on the underside of its abdomen. Unfortunately, black widow spiders do like to hang out in homes, particularly in the southern and western parts of the U.S.

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You can typically find them in garages or workplaces with lots of debris. Black widows tend to build webs where there are lots of corners, edges, or tall grass—and accidentally stumbling through one of these is when a bite is most likely.

Black widow bites are also rare “but can be extremely dangerous, even deadly,” Troyano says. If you’re bitten by a black widow, you’ll notice two distinct puncture marks and might feel burning, redness, and swelling at the bite site—and this can eventually spread to other parts of your body, the CDC says. Unlike other spider bites, the black widow’s bite injects neurotoxic venom, which can cause muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, sweating, tremors, and weakness.

If you head to the ER immediately, you should be okay. “There are approximately 2,200 bites reported each year, but there has not been a death related to a widow spider in the U.S. since 1983,” says Marc Potzler, a board-certified entomologist and technical services manager with Ehrlich Pest Control.

So, how long do spider bites last?

If you’re bitten by a generally harmless spider for some reason, the reaction will be “fairly immediate and happen within the first 24 hours,” Troyano says. “Most will go away just after a couple of days.” However, the healing process can become longer if the bite area becomes infected (often signaled by excessive swelling, pain, and feeling hot to the touch).

In the case of brown recluse or black widow bite, it may take weeks to properly heal, depending on the severity of the reaction or if an infection ensues.

How to treat a spider bite

Russell says that most spider bites don’t require anything more than you’d do for a mosquito bite or bee sting, like washing the wound and using hydrocortisone cream. You can also apply ice to the bite itself to minimize any swelling. And, if you find that your bite is itchy, Dr. Kman recommends taking an antihistamine like Benadryl or Zyrtec.

But if you suspect you’ve been bitten by a brown recluse or black widow, you don’t want to take it lightly. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you’ll want to seek medical attention ASAP, as they can also be signs of infection:

• The bite spot is hot to the touch.
• The bite spot becomes a wound or lesion.
• You develop a fever.
• You have signs of anaphylaxis (difficulty breathing, swelling of tongue or airways, dizziness, loss of consciousness).
• You have moderate to excessive swelling.
• You have any neurological symptoms, like muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, sweating, tremors, or weakness.

If you actually saw the spider that bit you, Troyano recommends trying to capture it and putting it in a plastic bag so you can show your doctor if you end up needing to see one.

Again, spider bites aren’t super common. If you have a mysterious bite that shows up on your body and you’re not sure where it came from, the odds are much higher that a mosquito or similar insect is to blame.

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Spider bites: Identification and treatment

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Spider bites are uncommon, but they can be painful and sometimes dangerous. However, very few species in the United States can harm humans.

A spider will only bite in self-defense, for example, when they feel trapped or under threat. This could happen if a person puts their hand in a box where a spider is living or puts on a jacket that has a spider hiding inside.

Most spiders use venom to kill their prey. In this sense, most spiders are venomous.

However, in nearly all spiders, their venom is too weak to have a significant effect on a human. Also, the fangs of many species cannot pierce human skin. If a spider does bite, it will usually cause no more harm to a person than a moderate insect bite.

However, some species produce venom that is powerful enough to harm a person. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list two types of spider as venomous in the U.S. — black widow spiders and brown recluse spiders.

This article will look at how to identify a spider bite, which species in the U.S. and nearby are dangerous, what to do if a venomous spider bites, and how to prevent bites.

Spider bites are often hard to diagnose.

Spider bites do not produce many distinctive features by which people can identify them. They can look similar to many other bug bites. According to a 2011 study, they can also resemble a number of bacterial and other infections.

For this reason, a spider bite can be hard to diagnose, unless the person takes the spider that bit them to the doctor.

General symptoms of a spider bite may be:

• swelling around the bite
• itching or a rash
• pain radiating from the bite
• muscle pain or cramping
• skin blisters that turn reddish purple
• headache
• nausea and vomiting
• fever, chills, and sweating
• difficulty breathing
• increased blood pressure
• anxiety or restlessness

People who experience these symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible.

In time, a bite from a brown recluse spider can result in ulceration and tissue death. In rare cases, some types of spider bite can be life threatening.

If someone knows or believes a venomous spider has bitten them, they should see a doctor immediately if they experience any of the following:

• severe pain
• abdominal cramping
• breathing problems

If someone is unsure if the spider that bit them is hazardous, they should contact their doctor to be sure. Proper diagnosis can lead to more effective treatment and shorter recovery time.

If possible, catch the spider or take a photo of it for identification.

Anaphylaxis

If a person has an allergy to spider venom, they may experience a severe reaction known as anaphylactic shock.

Symptoms of anaphylactic shock include:

• severe itching, swelling, or redness
• rash or hives
• difficulty breathing or a wheezing cough
• stomach cramps
• rapid swelling of the tongue, lips, eyes, or throat
• loss of consciousness

Anyone who starts to experience any of these symptoms needs immediate medical attention.

People who know they have an allergy may carry an auto injector with them. Anyone else who is nearby may need to help them use this device to deliver vital medication for their allergy.

The CDC consider two spiders to be dangerous in the U.S. These spiders are the brown recluse and the black widow.

Brown recluse

The brown recluse spider likes to hide in dry, dark corners, such as rock piles, woodpiles, and closets. It lives in the Midwest and southern States.

It is brown with a violin shaped pattern on its back.

A brown recluse can only bite under physical pressure, for example, if it is trapped against a person’s skin.

When they bite, the following may happen:

1. The initial bite will be painless, but it will become increasingly painful over the next 2–8 hours.
2. There may be two small puncture marks with swelling around them.
3. A red ring may form around the pale center of the bite.
4. A white blister usually forms, and a lesion or ulcer can develop. The ulcer will turn bluish violet, and the center will be hard and sunken. Some skin may slough.
5. After this, the wound will usually heal, but this may take several weeks.
6. Without treatment, tissue death (necrosis) may occur in some cases.

Other symptoms include:

• headache
• nausea
• musculoskeletal pain
• general feeling of being unwell

Children may have a more severe reaction throughout the body, including:

• weakness
• fever
• joint pain
• hemolytic anemia, where blood cells die faster than the body makes them
• low platelet levels in the blood
• organ failure
• blood clots throughout the body
• seizures

A bite from a brown recluse spider can be fatal.

No specific antidote is available to treat a brown recluse spider bite, but the lesion will need medical attention. Treatment options may include:

• antibiotics to prevent an infection
• surgery to remove dead tissue

The most severe effects of a brown recluse spider bite will not occur immediately. However, the sooner a person seeks help, the lower the chance that tissue damage will occur.

People who live in an area with potentially hazardous spiders should take precautions to avoid bites.

Example of some precautions to take are:

• Always zip up tents when camping and wear pants when hiking in areas where spiders are common.
• Turn shoes upside down and tap them on the ground before putting them on.
• Always check before reaching into boxes or in areas that are not regularly disturbed.
• Keep basements and yards free of clutter.
• Wear gloves when gardening or getting wood from the woodpile.

Learn more here about the brown recluse spider.

Doctors often misdiagnose a spider bite. This may be because the person says it was a spider, but they do not know which type. Sometimes another condition can resemble a spider bite.

Other causes include:

Most spiders will not bite a person, and very few are dangerous.

Some spiders like to rest in dark or sheltered places, such as shoes. If a person puts their foot or hand in a place where a spider is living, some spiders can bite.

People who live or spend time in areas where there are brown recluse or black widow spiders should know how to recognize them.

They should also check items such as boxes and boots for spiders if they have not used them for a while. Other forms of protection include wearing gloves when gardening or working around a wood or rock pile.

Anyone who has concerns about a bite or other skin symptoms should see a doctor for a diagnosis.

A range of products is available for purchase over the counter or online, including antihistamines, ibuprofen, and antibiotic ointment.

Common Florida Spiders: Dangerous or Harmless?

Florida is home to a wide variety of creatures, and arachnids are no exception. We have all kinds of spiders here. But we will be focusing on the spiders that make themselves a pest in our yards, gardens, homes, and businesses.

Poisonous Spiders In Florida

All spiders have some kind of venom with which to paralyze and consume their prey, but not all venom is medically important to humans. Spiders that have a venom capable of causing severe illness, and even death, are considered poisonous. In Florida, we have five species of poisonous spider: the brown recluse spider, and four species of widow spider.

Brown Recluse Spiders

The most prominent characteristic of the brown recluse is the dark brown violin mark on its light brown back. This mark is oriented with the stem of the violin pointing toward the abdomen of the spider, and is hard to miss. You may also notice that this is not a hairy spider. This lack of hair is helpful in distinguishing brown recluse from other brown spiders, such as the funnel weaver spider or wolf spider.

The reputation of the brown recluse precedes it. While this spider definitely deserves respect for the necrotic properties of its venom, it is not the thing of nightmares many stories paint it to be. This spider has the word recluse in its name for good reason. Brown recluse spiders don’t prefer to be around humans. You are most likely to come in contact with this spider when visiting an attic space, storage room, garage, shed, or outbuilding. Be careful when opening stored boxes.

Widow Spiders

We all know the black widow. This spider needs no introduction. You may even be aware that this jet black, hairless spider can be easily identified by the red hourglass mark on the bottom of its abdomen. But, what you may not know is that we have two species of black window in the state: the southern black widow and the northern black widow. While there is a visual difference between these two spiders, like the presence of red dots on the top of the abdomen, and a break in the middle of the hourglass mark on the bottom of the abdomen, there are few differences between these spiders as they relate to humans. This can also be said of the other two widow spiders in Florida, the brown widow and the red widow.

All widow spiders have a venom that can be deadly to humans, but the risk of dying from a widow spider bite has significantly decreased since the discovery of antivenom. However, it is still extremely painful to be bitten by one, and these bites come with many unpleasant physical symptoms, such as sweating, muscle cramps, chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Fortunately, the black widow is a skittish creature that will flee when approached. Bites usually only happen when humans reach into or come near to where a black widow is hiding, like when putting a foot into a boot, putting on a shirt, reaching into a pile of logs, or flipping over a rock.

Non-poisonous Spiders In Florida

There are many more non-poisonous spiders in Florida than there are poisonous ones. Too many to cover here. But there are three that deserve mentioning.

False Black Widow Spiders

While this spider is often mistaken for a black widow spider, there are two distinct differences. The first is visual. The false black widow is not actually black; it’s brown. And it does not have the red hourglass mark on the bottom of its abdomen. The false black widow is also not a poisonous spider, like its cousin. The bite from a false black widow is not medically important.

Funnel Weaver Spiders

These spiders rarely enter homes, but they can be scary when you come across them in your yard or in your garden, especially if you mistake them for the brown recluse. Fortunately, these spiders have hair to help you tell them apart from those brown recluse spiders. And though a bite from this spider may hurt, it is likely to only leave a painful bite and a red welt. If you see a tangled web that looks like a funnel, especially over the entrance to the burrow of a wild animal, you might want to steer clear. You’re likely to find a funnel weaver spider inside.

Wolf Spiders

Here is another spider that gets mistaken for the brown recluse quite a bit. But, like the funnel weaver spider, these spiders are hairy. In fact, you may have more trouble telling wolf spiders apart from funnel weaver spiders than you will brown recluse. One clue wolf spiders give is that these are spiders you’re more likely to find in your shed, garage, exterior closet space, or basement, especially if you have any water or moisture in these places. Wolf spiders don’t create webs, like the funnel weaver. They hunt for their meals.

For assistance with these and other common spiders in northern Florida, reach out to us at McCall Service. We’re looking forward to serving you.

Spider Bite Identification | Heron Home & Outdoor

Metro Orlando FL | Kissimmee – Sanford – Leesburg

We’ve all heard the myth that spiders like to bite people when they’re asleep. The truth is, spiders rarely bite. Although almost all spiders have venom and fangs, most are not large enough to inflict any serious harm to humans. Most spiders are more interested in attacking bugs than they are humans, but there is still the occasion where someone might accidentally touch a spider or encroach on its space, making it feel threatened. Spiders will bite to protect themselves.

Is My Spider Bite Serious?

Almost all spiders have the ability to bite, but many are too small or not venomous enough to cause harm unless an individual is allergic. There are, however, two species of spiders that have bites that are known to cause moderate to severe reactions: the brown recluse spider (also known as the violin spider) and the black widow spider. The majority of spider bites are harmless, usually causing redness, swelling, or itchiness around the bite. However, in the case of a more serious spider bite, it is important to know what to do.

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Identifying a Spider Bite

Spider bites can sometimes be difficult to identify. Many reports of spider bites were actually caused by other common insects such as ticks or fleas. Even some misdiagnosed skin infections have been accused of being the result of a serious spider bite. It’s important to have a basic understanding of the following symptoms that may occur when someone is bitten by a black widow or brown recluse. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, medical attention should be sought immediately:

1. Black widow spider bite symptoms:
   • Faint redness and swelling
   • Profuse sweating
   • Severe pain or cramping in the abdomen
   • Intensified stiffness and pain (within an hour) around the bite
2. Brown recluse spider bite symptoms:
   • Mild stinging
   • Intense pain and redness (within 8 hours)
   • A red ring around the bite and purple or dark blue coloring
   • Deep open sores or ulcers and necrosis (dying tissue)

How to Care for Spider Bites

To care for a spider bite, be sure to wash the bite area with soap and water. If the arm or the leg has been bitten, keep it elevated, and control swelling and pain with ice packs, antihistamines, and over-the-counter medications. In the case of a more serious spider bite, make sure to bring a photo or specimen to your healthcare provider to help with identification, and to help determine the level of treatment needed. It is also important to make a note of all symptoms experienced, and any additional questions you might have for your nurses and doctors.

Spiders are harmless for the most part, but there are times when they will bite, whether it’s by accident or as a form of defense. Even though many times spider bites are misdiagnosed, it’s beneficial to understand the signs and symptoms of bites, and when to seek medical attention.

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Spider Bite | Boca Raton, Florida

Is this your child’s symptom?

If NOT, try one of these:

Symptoms of a Spider Bite

• Most spider bites cause local pain, redness and swelling. It’s much like a bee sting reaction.
• A few spiders (such as the Black Widow) can cause a more severe reaction.
• Helpful if spider seen on the skin or around the child

Cause of Spider Bite Reactions

• Most spiders have tiny fangs. They inject venom into the skin.
• The venom is what causes all the symptoms.

Types of Spider Bites

Black Widow Spider Bite

• A shiny, jet-black spider with long legs (total size 1 inch or 25 mm).
• A red (or orange) hourglass-shaped marking on its under-side.
• Causes immediate local pain and swelling.
• Sometimes, you can see 2 fang marks at the bite site.
• Severe muscle cramps (especially stomach cramps) occur within 1 to 6 hours. These last 24 to 48 hours.
• Rarely causes death. Exception: bitten by several spiders or small child is bitten.
• Note: many are dry bites because the fangs are small.
• The brown widow spider is related to the black widow. It is found in southern US.
• Brown widow spider bites are treated the same as black widow bites.

Brown Recluse Spider Bite

• A brown spider with long legs (total size ½ inch or 12 mm).
• A dark violin shaped marking on top of its head.
• Causes pain at the bite. Blisters form within 4 to 8 hours.
• The center becomes bluish and depressed (crater-like) over 2 to 3 days.
• Skin damage may require skin grafting in 10% of cases.
• Other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, muscle pain can occur. No life-threatening symptoms occur.
• Brown recluse spiders are hard to identify. If you can, bring the spider along in a jar.

Non-dangerous Spider Bites

• More than 50 spiders in the U.S. have venom. Their bites cause reactions that are not serious. This includes pain or redness at the bite site.
• The bites are painful and swollen. This lasts for 1 or 2 days. They can feel and look like a bee sting.
• Some single, unexplained, tender bites that occur during the night are due to spiders.

When to Call for Spider Bite




Call 911 Now Trouble breathing or wheezing Passed out (fainted) or too weak to stand You think your child has a life-threatening emergency Call Doctor or Seek Care Now Fever and bite looks infected (spreading redness) Your child looks or acts very sick You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours New redness starts more than 24 hours after the bite. Note: any redness in the first 24 hours is due to venom. More than 48 hours since the bite and redness now getting larger Bite starts to look bad (such as skin damage, blister or purple color) Bite pain lasts more than 2 days You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent Contact Doctor During Office Hours You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Call 911 Now

• Trouble breathing or wheezing
• Passed out (fainted) or too weak to stand
• You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Fever and bite looks infected (spreading redness)
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• New redness starts more than 24 hours after the bite. Note: any redness in the first 24 hours is due to venom.
• More than 48 hours since the bite and redness now getting larger
• Bite starts to look bad (such as skin damage, blister or purple color)
• Bite pain lasts more than 2 days
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Care Advice for Non-dangerous Spider Bites

1. What You Should Know About Spider Bites:
   • Most spider bites look and feel like a bee sting.
   • The main symptoms are pain and redness.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Clean the Bite:
   • Wash the bite well with soap and water.
3. Cold Pack for Pain:
   • For pain or swelling, use a cold pack. You can also use ice wrapped in a wet cloth.
   • Put it on the bite for 20 minutes.
4. Pain Medicine:
   • To help with the pain, give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
   • Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
   • Use as needed.
5. What to Expect:
   • The swelling and pain lasts for 1 to 2 days.
   • It should not be any worse than a bee sting.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Severe bite pain lasts more than 2 hours after pain medicine
   • Stomach pains or muscle cramps occur
   • Bite pain lasts more than 2 days (48 hours)
   • Bite starts to look infected
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the ‘Call Your Doctor’ symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.




Copyright 2000-2021. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

Symptoms, Signs & Spider Bite Treatment




November 5, 2012



In truth, spiders are not intentionally harmful to humans. Most spider bites occur when humans accidentally trap or brush up against a spider and receive a defensive bite. On rare occasions, spiders may have a serious lapse in judgment and bite a human finger (or other body part) mistaking it for a caterpillar or other such prey. Even then, most spiders are too small and not capable of breaking the skin with their fangs, or their venom too weak to be dangerous to humans. Simply put – most spider bites are accidental, harmless and require no specific treatment.

Still, that is not enough to stop spiders from having a bad reputation. It is common for any unexplained skin irritation to be called a “spider bite.” In fact, most skin lesions and bite symptoms that are attributed to spiders are rarely actually due to a spider bite. Research has shown that 80 percent of presumed spider bites are actually bites from other insects, or due to skin infections such as MRSA (a resistant staph infection).

Yet, occasionally, a spider bite will cause real harm. Especially with larger spiders, the bite itself may be painful and cause injury. However, far more concerning is the spider’s venom, which can include necrotic agents or neurotoxins. Spider bites rarely transmit infectious diseases.

Most spider bites are less painful than a bee sting. Pain from non-venomous spider bites typically lasts for five to 60 minutes while pain from venomous spider bites frequently lasts for longer than 24 hours. The rate of a bacterial infection due to a spider bite is low (less than one percent). 

The two spiders of greatest concern in the United States are the brown recluse and the black widow spiders, most commonly found in southern states. Both species prefer warm climates and dark, dry places. Typically, these are timid, non-aggressive spiders, often found in dry, littered, undisturbed areas such as closets, woodpiles and under sinks.

Common Spider Bite Symptoms

Most spider bites are relatively harmless and may not cause any noticeable symptoms. In fact, some bites initially attributed to spiders can turn out to be bites from other bugs or insects, as well as even skin infections. If a spider bite does cause a reaction, these are the most common symptoms:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Pain
• Itching or rash

Dangerous Spider Species

Black Widow Spiders

Black widow spiders can be found throughout North America, but are most common in the southern and western areas of the United States. Male widows, like most spider species, are much smaller and generally less dangerous than the females. Widows tend to be non-aggressive, but this spider will bite if its web is disturbed or if it feels threatened, especially after laying eggs. The more dangerous female is a dark colored spider with a red hourglass shape on the underside of its abdomen. While the bite feels like a pinprick and at first may go unnoticed or seem rather minor, the black widow spider’s venom is reported to be 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake. Early on there may be slight swelling and faint red marks. Within a few hours, though, intense pain and stiffness begin. Other signs and spider bite symptoms include: chills, fever, muscle cramps, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and severe abdominal pain. Typically, black widow bites are less common, but more severe than brown recluse bites. That said, no one in the United States has died from a black widow spider bite in more than 10 years.

Brown Recluse Spiders

The brown recluse spider, also known as the violin spider, is most commonly found in the south-central, mid-western and southern states of the United States. Most encounters with this spider occur from moving boxes or rooting about in closets, attics, garages or under beds where they may have nested. Brown recluse spiders typically take up residence in dry, warm and dark environments such as basements, woodpiles and closets. These spiders are brown in color with a characteristic dark violin-shaped (or fiddle-shaped) marking on its head. Whereas most spiders have eight eyes, brown recluses have six equal-sized eyes. These spiders will bite if they feel trapped, such as when a hand reaches into a box in the attic or a foot slides into a shoe that the spider has made its home. The bite produces a mild stinging, followed by local redness and intense pain within eight hours. A fluid-filled blister forms at the site and then sloughs off to leave a deep, enlarging ulcer. Systemic (or generalized) reactions from a brown recluse spider bite vary from having spider bite symptoms like a mild fever and rash to nausea and listlessness. Generally, brown recluse spider bites are reported much more frequently than black widow bites, but while the brown recluse bite may cause very significant local skin reactions, it is much more unusual for these spider bites to cause generalized symptoms. Since these bites can develop over the course of three or more hours while taking about three weeks to heal, it’s important to pay attention to someone who has been bitten throughout the process. Brown recluse venom has been known to cause severe allergic reactions in children and elderly adults, as well as those with preexisting medical conditions. Unfortunately, brown recluses are almost communal and can be sometimes be found in great numbers.

What To Do About Spider Bites

• If you suspect a spider has bitten you, try to bring it with you to the doctor so they can determine the best course of treatment based on the species.
• Clean the site of the spider bite well with soap and water.
• Apply a cool compress over the spider bite location (using a cloth dampened with cold water or filled with ice).
• If you suspect the bite is from a black widow or brown recluse spider, and the bite is on an extremity, elevate it.
• Consider tying a snug bandage above the bite and elevate the limb to help slow or halt the venom’s spread. Ensure that the bandage is not so tight that it cuts off circulation in your arm or leg.
• Adults can take aspirin or acetaminophen and antihistamines to relieve minor signs and spider bite symptoms (but use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers).
• Seek medical attention for any severe spider bite symptoms and signs, or if they continue to worsen for more than 24 hours.

When to Worry About Spider Bite Symptoms

If a local reaction continues to get worse for more than 24 hours, it may be time to seek medical attention. Look for redness spreading away from the bite, drainage from the bite, increase in pain, numbness/tingling, or a discoloration around the bite that looks like a halo or bull’s-eye. If generalized spider bite symptoms set in, be concerned. In very rare cases, there have been reports of spider bites (by spiders considered otherwise harmless) causing allergic reactions – including anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening condition (much like may result from the sting of a bee, or wasp in a highly allergic person).

For More Information

Contact a pest professional if you think you may be dealing with a spider infestation. To learn more about different types of spiders and the threats they pose to our health, check out our spider Pest Guide section or watch this Health Checks video on spider bites.

Dangerous & Deadly Spiders in Florida

Venomous Spider Bite Identification & Treatment for Black Widow, Brown Recluse

It’s not insane to think that the majority of humans hate spiders.

These creepy crawlers come in many different shapes and sizes, and always seem to strike fear into us without even physically coming close to us. Not to mention, the majority of spiders are essentially harmless and actually helpful to the environment.

Some spiders, however — especially those in the warmer climates, in states like Florida, Georgia, and Texas — should be feared and avoided for good reason. Commonly found in Florida, the black widow and brown recluse are two of the deadliest species of spider known to man. Injecting venom into their victims after biting, these Florida residing spiders will make you check twice before entering spider territory.

If you are unlucky enough to come into contact with either of these poisonous arachnids, here’s some helpful information to help you identify them, as well as how to treat a bite if necessary.

Black Widow Spider Basic Facts

Fairly easy to identify, the black widow spider is sure to make your skin crawl. Only the female black widow is dangerous to humans. Females have black, shiny, globe-shaped bodies equipped with a distinguishing red hourglass marking. Usually found in sheds, barns, basements and just about any structure that has been undisturbed for a long time, the widow spiders have frequently come into contact with humans

Black Widow Spider Bite Symptoms

These spiders often bite when trapped against human skin. This often occurs when reaching under an object where the widow spider is hiding, or when putting on clothing. Although a female widow bite can be lethal, today’s medicine makes them less dangerous.

Not painful at first, the venom injected from a black widow bite quickly spreads through your veins. Attacking the nervous system, the bite causes swelling, reddening, nausea, muscle spasms, and deep pain. In severe cases, the venom attacks the nervous terminals, making it hard to breathe and swallow. If left untreated, the venom can cause sweating, chills, fever, and paralysis.

Brown Recluse Spider Basic Facts

As its name suggests, the recluse spider is brown or tan in color and prefers to be left alone. Its distinguishing violin-shaped mark on the front half of its body is commonly used for identification. Found in out-of-the-way places like basements and attics, humans are less likely to encounter this spider. If it feels trapped, however, it will bite you and can deliver powerful venom similar to that of the black widow.

Brown Recluse Spider Bite Symptoms

With symptoms caused by the bite of a brown recluse varying according to the age of the victim, the bites are more dangerous in kids, young adults, and the elderly.

At first, the area surrounding the bite becomes swollen and later changes the skin to appear red and hardened. Symptoms such as fever, shivering, nausea, and vomiting also occur. Eventually, the affected area grows to an ulcer. Causing deep pain for the victim, ulcers have dry bottoms, blue or gray borders, and cause reddish skin around the surrounding area.

Black Widow & Brown Recluse Spider Bite Treatment

If you suspect you have been bitten by either of these spiders, quickly clean the wound area with soap and water, then seek medical treatment from a hospital. Avoid doctor’s offices or urgent care centers, as they are not usually equipped to deal with these types of injuries. You will most likely need antivenin and narcotic pain relievers only available in a hospital setting. If possible, bring the spider to the hospital so the physician can identify the spider and give a proper diagnosis

If you need to remove these poisonous spiders in your home, or just want to make sure there are none, contact us for a free inspection today.

90,000 Worker in Australia was bitten again by a poisonous spider in the penis

September 28, 2016

Photo author, Getty Images

Photo caption,

Red-backed black widow spiders are widespread in Australia. Each year, they bite up to 2 thousand people

In Australia, a poisonous spider bit the penis of a 21-year-old construction worker for the second time.

On Tuesday, Jordan, the worker’s name, decided to use a mobile toilet at a construction site in Sydney, where a similar incident happened to him five months ago.

Jordan, who does not want his last name to be revealed, reported that the spider bit him in exactly the same place as the first time.

“Something I have had bad luck lately,” he says. “I was sitting in the toilet and minding my own business, when suddenly I felt myself stung. I looked down and saw the legs of a spider under the seat.”

According to him, after the first bite, he became very careful in the use of mobile toilets.

“After the first bite, I didn’t want to use them anymore.But our toilets were cleaned that day, and I decided that everything would be all right that day. I carefully examined the toilet seat and did not notice anything suspicious. And here you are – now I can’t straighten up from the pain. “

According to Jordan, he does not know which spider bit him. One of his colleagues brought him to the city hospital, where he was injected with an antidote serum.

No big deal

“The first time my comrades were worried about me,” says Jordan.“This time it was hard for them to take it all seriously. ”

He was released from the hospital the same day. He plans to go to work soon, but vows that he will never use the mobile toilet again.

Red-backed spider that we meet. in Australia, it is a close relative of the “black widow” species and has a characteristic red stripe on the abdomen.

Its bite causes severe pain, sweating and vomiting.

Although there are cases of death of people from the bite of this spider in medicine, since 1956, when antidote serum appeared, such cases were no longer recorded.

Experts told how to escape from the attack of snakes and poisonous spiders

With the onset of the abnormal heat in Moscow and the region, there were more frequent attacks on people by snakes and poisonous spiders. For most of the victims, this was a complete surprise, so experts especially for “Vechernyaya Moskva” gave some advice on how to recognize a dangerous insect or reptile in nature.

One of the most common insects in the Moscow region, according to entomologist, candidate of biological sciences, Moscow State University Dmitry Rubtsov, is the karakurt, which can be easily recognized by the presence of thirteen red, sometimes with a white border, dots or spots on the upper surface of the abdomen. They are dangerous in that they settle near human dwellings in sheds and other auxiliary structures, and during long rains they try to penetrate into houses.

“The bite of a female karakurt is a mortal danger to humans,” the specialist warns. “Even such large animals as a camel and a horse die from her attack.”

To avoid collision with karakurt, when resting in nature, you need to choose flat areas of land without stones, a large number of rodent burrows and accumulations of dry vegetation.It is not safe to walk barefoot in such places.

When spending the night in nature, it is necessary to carefully examine the bed, clothes and sleeping bag.

Of the poisonous snakes, common vipers are most often found in these latitudes, which themselves never attack first, but can try to defend their territory if a person invades there without demand. Therefore, the first commandment of a vacationer is to be careful, try to avoid a sudden meeting with a frightened or angry snake.

“During a picnic, before sitting on a grass or a log, you need to make some noise, rub your hand or tap with a stick,” explains veterinarian-herpetologist, traveler Oleg Shumakov.“These actions will scare off the reptile. They usually crawl away when they hear knocks, footsteps or voices. It is also worth remembering that the snake never attacks first. She shows aggression only in case of danger. “

Experts remind that it is impossible to catch and kill a dangerous reptile. Likewise, do not put a tourniquet on an arm or leg bitten by a viper. This can lead to death of the limb and gangrene. Burn the bite site or make an incision. – also useless, experts remind ..

But the treatment of the affected area with a solution of potassium permanganate and the intake of an antihistamine are mandatory, and then an appeal to a doctor and the introduction of a special serum.

7 Most Common Types of Household Spiders 💡 Cleaning | RU.HomeInteriorz.com

There are about 3400 species of spiders in North America. Spiders are arachnids and they are related to scorpions, mites and mites. Unfortunately, spiders can and do infiltrate our homes. Fortunately, the most common types of house spiders are harmless to humans, but there are exceptions.

American House Spider (

Parasteatoda tepidariorum )

American House Spider is a comb-like spider, a common type known for its webs.

They are part of a group known as spider webs, usually building websites in places like basements, closets, and sliders.

• color : Brown, brown or grayish with darker brown patterns
• Size : small to medium (nickel-sized, including legs
• Features : rounded belly

Generally harmless, these spiders create messy websites that look unsightly.

Long-Lived Basement Spider (

Phalcus phalangioides )

Sometimes referred to by the dad as the long hair, the long bodily spider is not the same as the long-lived dad. The Burke Museum claims that while long-lived dads are also arachnids, they are cleaners, “terrestrial living things,” with one body part and two eyes. Spiders have two body sections and usually eight eyes.

A spider with long rib cages builds canvases, often in basements, basements, crawlers, garages and other dark rooms.

• color : light brownish brown, beige or gray
• Size : small, round body
• Features : long, skinny legs

The basement spider is not poisonous.

Brown Hermit (

Loxosceles reclusa )

The Brown Hermit is part of the brown spider family. According to the Penn State Department of Entomology, the brown recluse is established in 15 states and can be found across the country in climates that range from the high humidity of Florida to the arid desert regions of Arizona and the cooler temperatures of the Midwest.

You can find them indoors in basements, attics, slides, between walls, in furniture and even in clothes. They are often carried into the home through boxes and bags.

• color : brown or grayish
• Size : oval body, about 1/3 “length
• Features : 3 pairs of eyes plus dark, violin markings on the body

Brown recluse venom has cytotoxin, which can attack the tissue at the site of the bite.Medical treatment is required as dangerous reactions from the poison can occur. These may include, but are not limited to, chills, fever, rash, pain, and nausea. Children are more sensitive to spider bites than healthy adults and can suffer life-threatening reactions, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Sac Spiders (

Families Clubionidae , Miturgidae , and Corinnid spiders )

Sac spiders do not make webs. It is typical to spot these spiders near the ceiling or high along the wall.The Sack Savior is active all year round, usually at night.

• color : light, yellow, beige
• Size : oval body, about 1/2 “long
• Features : 2 rows of 8 small eyes

Harmless to most people, spider bite bag can cause swelling and mild soreness at the site Anyone with a spider allergy or sensitivity can experience a reaction that may require treatment.

Leaping spiders (

Familial Salticidae )

Leaping spiders tend to hunt for prey during the day. You can find them inside a window, screen door, along a wall, or any surface exposed to daylight. They move in fast leaps.

• color : brown, black, brown, gray, beige
• Size : compact, almost an inch long
• Features : thick hair, front legs that are larger than others

Jumping spider bite similar bee sting, but is usually harmless.Children or anyone who is allergic to spider bites can have a reaction that can differ from person to person.

Wolf spiders (

Family Lycosidae )

Wolf spiders are larger than many other common spiders. They can enter your home through foundation cracks, windows, or through an attached garage. Considered a hunting spider, they eat insects and can even make good pets.

• color : brown, black, brown, greyish beige
• Size : large, bodies longer than an inch
• Features : an elongated body with hairy legs

Harmless to humans, spider spiders are brown sometimes wrong for the brown recluse.However, anyone who is allergic to spider bites can develop a reaction that may require medical treatment.

Hobo Spider / Funnelweaver (

Tegenaria agrestis)

The hobo spider is considered an aggressive spider that creates funnel webs. They are also known as funnel-shaped and are commonly mistaken for brown recluses and wolf spiders due to their brown color. You can find them in dark areas of the basement or hide under a fireplace.

• color : brown, brown
• Size : oblong body about 1/2 “long
• Features : solid color without marking

Agile spiders or spider spiders are not dangerous, but some people can be irritated at the bite site Like other spider bites, children may have a stronger reaction than an adult

While most common household spiders are not a threat to humans, you may not want them to share their home.If you have an invasion problem, there are many ways to get rid of spiders. If you prefer not to fight them in the front lines, you can find help from your local spider kill service.

Video instruction: 10 THE VILEST INSECTS THAT LIVE IN APARTMENTS.

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