How do mosquito bites differ from spider bites. What are the distinct characteristics of each type of bite. How can you identify and treat mosquito and spider bites effectively. What measures can be taken to prevent these insect bites.

Understanding the Basics: Mosquito vs Spider Bites

When it comes to insect bites, distinguishing between mosquito and spider bites can be crucial for proper treatment and prevention. While both can cause discomfort, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart.

Mosquito Bites: More Than Just an Itch

Mosquito bites are often misunderstood. Do mosquitoes actually bite? Technically, they don’t. Female mosquitoes use their straw-like mouth to create a tiny incision in our skin and then extract blood. This process is not for their nutrition but for the proteins found in animal blood, which are essential for their egg development.

Mosquito season typically begins when nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In regions like Central Texas, this season can extend nearly year-round, posing a persistent challenge for residents.

Spider Bites: A Different Kind of Concern

Spider bites, unlike mosquito bites, are often painful rather than itchy. They can cause red welts with visible dots at the center, which may develop into blisters. In some cases, spider bites can lead to more severe symptoms, especially if the bite is from a venomous species like brown recluses or black widows.

Identifying Mosquito Bites: Telltale Signs and Symptoms

Recognizing a mosquito bite is crucial for proper treatment and prevention. What are the key characteristics of a mosquito bite?

• Red, itchy welts on exposed skin
• Often found on hands and ankles
• May not be felt immediately but becomes itchy later
• Can persist for several days
• Multiple bites are common

Some individuals may experience more severe reactions, including hives, due to an allergic response to mosquito saliva. It’s important to note that not everyone reacts to mosquito bites in the same way. Some lucky individuals might spend time outdoors during mosquito season without experiencing significant discomfort.

Decoding Spider Bites: Symptoms and Potential Dangers

Spider bites can be more concerning than mosquito bites due to their potential for serious complications. How can you identify a spider bite?

• Red welts that are more painful than itchy
• Visible dots at the center of the welt
• Possible blister formation
• Fluid seepage or crusty appearance
• Painful red rings or splotches around the bite site

In cases of bites from venomous spiders, additional symptoms may include:

• Headaches
• Fever
• Swollen glands
• Muscle cramps
• Breathing difficulties

If you experience any of these more severe symptoms following a suspected spider bite, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Delaying treatment could lead to serious infections or tissue damage in extreme cases.

Mosquito Bite Prevention: Strategies for a Bite-Free Summer

Preventing mosquito bites is essential for enjoying outdoor activities without discomfort. What steps can you take to reduce your chances of being bitten?

1. Use effective mosquito repellents
2. Wear long pants and sleeves when outdoors
3. Eliminate standing water in your yard
4. Keep your lawn mowed and landscaping trimmed
5. Address drainage issues in low-lying areas

Remember, different mosquito species are active at various times of the day, so there may not be a “safe” time to be outdoors without protection. Consistent use of repellents and protective clothing is key to preventing bites.

Spider Bite Prevention: Creating a Spider-Free Environment

Reducing the likelihood of spider bites involves creating an environment that’s less attractive to these arachnids. How can you make your home and yard less inviting to spiders?

• Seal cracks and crevices in your home’s foundation and walls
• Remove clutter and debris from your yard
• Keep firewood and storage items away from your house
• Use natural spider repellents like peppermint oil or vinegar
• Regularly clean and vacuum your home, especially corners and dark areas

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the spider population in and around your home, minimizing the risk of bites.

Treatment Options: Managing Mosquito and Spider Bites

When it comes to treating insect bites, the approach differs depending on whether you’re dealing with a mosquito or spider bite. How should you manage these different types of bites?

Treating Mosquito Bites

For most mosquito bites, simple home remedies can provide relief:

• Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
• Use over-the-counter anti-itch creams
• Take an oral antihistamine to reduce itching and swelling
• Apply a mixture of baking soda and water to the bite

It’s crucial to avoid scratching mosquito bites, as this can lead to secondary infections. If you experience severe allergic reactions or signs of infection, consult a healthcare professional.

Treating Spider Bites

Spider bite treatment depends on the severity and type of spider involved:

• Clean the bite area with soap and water
• Apply a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling
• Elevate the affected area if possible
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed

For bites from potentially dangerous spiders or if you experience severe symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. In some cases, antivenom may be necessary.

The Ecological Role of Mosquitoes and Spiders: A Balanced Perspective

While mosquitoes and spiders can be nuisances or even dangers to humans, it’s important to consider their ecological roles. How do these creatures contribute to our ecosystem?

Mosquitoes in the Ecosystem

Despite their reputation as pests, mosquitoes play several important roles:

• They serve as a food source for many animals, including birds, bats, and fish
• Some species of mosquitoes are pollinators
• Mosquito larvae help filter water in aquatic ecosystems

While controlling mosquito populations is important for public health, complete eradication could have unforeseen ecological consequences.

Spiders as Eco-Friendly Pest Control

Spiders are often considered beneficial for several reasons:

• They help control insect populations, including harmful pests
• Many spiders prey on mosquitoes, aiding in natural mosquito control
• They play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance

Understanding the ecological importance of these creatures can help us approach pest control in a more balanced and environmentally friendly manner.

Innovative Approaches to Mosquito and Spider Control

As our understanding of these creatures evolves, so do our methods for controlling their populations. What are some cutting-edge approaches to managing mosquitoes and spiders?

Advanced Mosquito Control Techniques

• Genetic modification to reduce mosquito populations
• Use of bacteria like Wolbachia to prevent disease transmission
• Development of more effective and eco-friendly repellents
• Implementation of mosquito-trapping systems in urban areas

These innovative methods aim to control mosquito populations while minimizing environmental impact and reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.

Eco-Friendly Spider Management

• Use of ultrasonic devices to repel spiders
• Development of non-toxic spider deterrents
• Implementation of integrated pest management strategies
• Encouraging natural spider predators in garden ecosystems

These approaches focus on managing spider populations without resorting to harmful chemicals or disrupting local ecosystems.

Global Impact: Mosquito-Borne Diseases and Spider Venom Research

The study of mosquitoes and spiders extends far beyond simple pest control. How are these creatures impacting global health and scientific research?

Mosquitoes and Global Health

Mosquitoes are vectors for numerous diseases, including:

• Malaria
• Dengue fever
• Zika virus
• West Nile virus
• Chikungunya

Efforts to control these diseases often focus on mosquito population management and prevention of bites. Global health organizations are constantly working on new strategies to combat mosquito-borne illnesses, especially in regions where these diseases are endemic.

Spider Venom in Medical Research

While spider bites can be dangerous, spider venom is proving to be a valuable resource in medical research:

• Potential treatments for cardiac arrhythmia
• Development of new pain medications
• Research into treatments for neurodegenerative diseases
• Exploration of anti-cancer properties in certain spider venoms

These studies highlight the potential benefits that can arise from understanding and harnessing the unique properties of spider venom.

Climate Change and Its Impact on Mosquito and Spider Populations

As global temperatures rise, the distribution and behavior of mosquitoes and spiders are changing. How is climate change affecting these creatures and their interactions with humans?

Mosquitoes in a Warming World

Climate change is having several effects on mosquito populations:

• Extended mosquito seasons in many regions
• Expansion of mosquito habitats into new areas
• Increased rates of mosquito-borne disease transmission
• Changes in mosquito breeding patterns and life cycles

These changes pose new challenges for mosquito control and disease prevention efforts worldwide.

Spiders Adapting to New Environments

Climate change is also affecting spider populations and behavior:

• Shifts in spider species distribution
• Changes in spider behavior and hunting patterns
• Potential increases in encounters between humans and certain spider species
• Alterations in spider venom potency due to environmental stress

Understanding these changes is crucial for predicting and managing potential increases in spider-related incidents in the future.

Public Education and Awareness: Key to Effective Management

Educating the public about mosquitoes and spiders is crucial for effective management and prevention of bites. What are some key areas where public awareness can make a difference?

Mosquito Awareness Campaigns

Effective public education about mosquitoes should focus on:

• Understanding mosquito breeding habits
• Proper use of repellents and protective clothing
• Importance of eliminating standing water
• Recognizing symptoms of mosquito-borne diseases
• Community-based mosquito control efforts

By empowering individuals with knowledge, communities can significantly reduce mosquito populations and the risk of bites.

Spider Education Initiatives

Public education about spiders should emphasize:

• Identifying common spider species in the area
• Understanding which spiders are dangerous and which are beneficial
• Proper methods for safely removing spiders from homes
• Recognizing signs of spider bites and when to seek medical attention
• Implementing spider-friendly pest control methods

By fostering a better understanding of spiders, we can reduce unnecessary fear and promote more harmonious coexistence with these important creatures.

Future Directions: Integrating Technology in Pest Management

As technology advances, new possibilities emerge for managing mosquito and spider populations. What innovative approaches are on the horizon?

Smart Mosquito Control Systems

Future mosquito management may include:

• AI-powered mosquito detection and tracking systems
• Drone-based larvicide application in hard-to-reach areas
• Smart urban planning to reduce mosquito breeding sites
• Development of personalized mosquito repellent formulations

These technologies aim to make mosquito control more efficient, targeted, and environmentally friendly.

High-Tech Spider Management

Emerging technologies for spider management include:

• Advanced imaging systems for spider identification and monitoring
• Development of spider-specific, non-toxic repellents
• Use of robotics for safe spider removal in sensitive areas
• Implementation of predictive models for spider population dynamics

These innovations could revolutionize how we manage spider populations while minimizing harm to beneficial species.

As we continue to coexist with mosquitoes and spiders, our understanding and management strategies will undoubtedly evolve. By staying informed and adapting our approaches, we can better navigate the challenges posed by these fascinating yet sometimes troublesome creatures.

Mosquito Versus Spider Bites | Chem-free Blog

Mosquito Versus Spider Bites

March 17, 2022

Category: Pest Control

When you get a red, itchy bite, you may wonder about mosquito versus spider bites. It’s important to know what bit you, so you’ll know what to expect and how to treat the bite. But how can you tell the difference between the two?

One of the biggest differences is how the bite feels. For most people, mosquito bites are just itchy. Spider bites, on the other hand, can be red, swollen and painful. There are other differences that can help you determine what might have bitten you, and what to do about it.

How to Identify a Mosquito Bite

The term “mosquito bite” is actually misleading. Mosquitoes are small, flying insects that come out in warmer weather and suck the blood of humans and other animals. Male mosquitoes don’t actually bite people, however. They feed on flower and plant nectars.

Only female mosquitoes bite people—and they don’t technically bite. They use their straw-like mouth to create a tiny incision in our skin and then suck out the blood. Mosquitoes don’t do this for their own nutritional needs. They do it for the proteins found in animal blood. They need these proteins for their eggs, to help them develop properly.

When it’s cold outside, mosquitoes either die off or hibernate through the winter. They become active again during warmer months, starting when nighttime temperatures are regularly above 50 degrees. This is called mosquito season. It’s also when mosquitoes begin breeding again. Here in Central Texas, mosquito season can last nearly all year long.

Mosquito bites don’t bother everyone. Some people can spend time outside during mosquito season without having to slap constantly at these annoying pests. For most of us, though, mosquito bites cause red welts on the skin that are very itchy. Some people are even more reactive to mosquito bites and may experience hives as an allergic reaction to the bites.

Mosquito bites are found mostly on exposed skin—any skin that mosquitoes can easily reach. They do seem to like biting people on their hands and ankles especially, though. You may or may not feel the mosquito biting you in the moment, but there’s a good chance you will feel the bite after the fact. It may be itchy for several days.

How to Identify Spider Bites

Like mosquito bites, spider bites can cause red welts. But these bites are less likely to be itchy, and more likely to be painful. They might also have visible dots in the center of the welt at the exact spot of the bite. The spot may turn into a blister. It may also seep fluid or turn crusty. Mosquito bites rarely do this unless scratching them too much breaks the skin and causes a secondary infection.

Some spider bites develop painful red rings or splotches around the bite site. These can be a sign of spreading infection. Depending on the type of spider that bit you, the bite may be serious. Bites from spiders like brown recluses or black widows often need medical attention. These spiders’ bites can cause more symptoms besides just the painful bite itself. They can cause headaches, fever, swollen glands, muscle cramps and breathing trouble.

If you have what may be a spider bite and you’re experiencing any of these more serious symptoms, it’s important to contact your doctor as soon as possible. Without proper treatment, a serious spider bite can turn into a major infection. The skin and flesh around the bite might even be severely damaged. It’s very important to get medical attention quickly.

How to Reduce Mosquito and Spider Bites

A single mosquito can bite you more than once. These pests often fly in groups, so many mosquitoes may bite you at the same time. If you spend more than a few minutes outside when these pests are active, you’re likely to get multiple bites. Spiders, on the other hand, usually bite someone only once or twice. This is another way to tell mosquito vs. spider bites apart.

If it’s mosquito season, chances are good mosquitoes will bite during the day. Unfortunately, there are many different types of mosquitoes that are active at various times of the day. This means there may not be any “safe” time of day to spend time outside without being bitten. To reduce bites, you’ll need to use mosquito repellent. Wearing long pants and sleeves will also help protect your skin.

There are also several steps you can take to make your yard less attractive to mosquitoes. Since these pests breed in standing water, be sure to dump out any water left in pots, kids’ toys and bird baths after rain, or after running the sprinklers. Many homeowners notice an uptick in mosquitoes after rain. Mowing the lawn and keeping the landscaping trimmed also helps reduce mosquito populations. So does resolving drainage issues in low areas of the yard.

If there’s an uptick in spider activity around your home or yard, it likely means you have another pest problem as well. Spiders eat bugs and insects. When there are more spiders around, it means there are more bugs and insects around for spiders to eat.

Contacting a pest control professional is the best way to resolve pest problems you may be dealing with. Mosquitoes, spiders and other pests don’t stand a chance against treatments administered by a trained pest control professional.

Do Spiders Eat Roaches?

If you have a roach problem in your home, you may wonder about natural pest control. There are certain insects that eat other insect pests. Do spiders eat roaches? If you have both spiders and roaches, can the spiders help keep the roaches at bay? These are questions many people ask of pest control professionals. Let’s dig into the answers.

The simple answer is that several types of spiders do eat roaches if they get the chance. American house spiders, wolf spiders, huntsman spiders, jumping spiders and running spiders all eat roaches. So do brown recluses and black widows—though these are both dangerous spiders for humans to be around, so they are not spiders you want in your home.

Most people don’t want any spiders in their homes, regardless of what kind they are. Furthermore, while spiders can eat roaches, they can’t eat enough to be effective pest control against other pests. If you have spiders in your home, it can only be because you have another pest problem—whether that is roaches, ants, earwigs or some other pest that spiders like to feed on.

Any pest infestation in the home should be treated immediately. Pests in the home can be unsafe for people and pets in a variety of ways. Many pests, like mosquitoes and roaches, can carry bacteria or diseases that make people sick. Others, like termites and certain ants, can cause property damage that is difficult and expensive to fix.

The best way to deal with a pest infestation is to enlist help from a pest control professional. A pro has access to the best products and techniques to treat the problem from all angles. That way, you’ll be able to relax in your home, knowing you’re protected from the many different problems that insect pests can cause.

What Kind of Birds Eat Mosquitoes?

Many people wonder what kind of birds eat mosquitoes. Birds do feed on insects, including flying insects, and mosquitoes are annoying pests. They can carry and transmit diseases, and their bites are itchy and annoying at best. Several types of birds do eat mosquitoes. These include nighthawks, house wrens, hummingbirds and Baltimore orioles. Purple martins, Eastern bluebirds, yellow warblers and downy woodpeckers also eat mosquitoes.

Even if you have one or more of these types of birds in your yard, you could still have an ongoing mosquito problem. Birds are not an effective form of mosquito control. This is because they simply can’t eat enough mosquitoes to keep pest populations down. This is especially true if there’s a heavy mosquito infestation in your yard.

Still, birds can be very pleasant to have around. Lots of people enjoy birdwatching, and birds can make at least a small dent in pest populations around your yard. You can make your property more bird-friendly by following a few simple steps:

• Plant native flowering plants in your garden to increase the number of food sources for different types of birds. Native plants can support bird populations by supplying nuts, seeds, fruits and nectars. They can also harbor caterpillars and insects that birds feed on as well.
• As much as possible, avoid using chemical or synthetic pesticides in your yard that could harm birds. This may mean having to accept that a bird-friendly yard is one with plenty of different insects that birds eat. These might include species that most people consider to be pests.
• Rake as little as possible, too. Birds use fallen debris from bushes and trees to build their nests. The insects that serve as bird food also use plant debris for breeding, feeding and other purposes.

Birds can’t be relied on for pest control, but a licensed pest control professional can develop a customized plan for your yard that will control mosquitoes while protecting the birds that feed on them.

Chem-free Can Reduce Mosquito and Spider Populations on Your Property

Mosquitoes and spiders can make you miserable. Instead of dealing with obnoxious bites, contact Chem-free Pest Control. We offer holistic methods of pest control that have your family in mind. This way, you can feel comfortable at home again.

Mosquito Or Spider Bite

Have You Been Bitten By A Spider, Or Mosquito? 

This may seem like a question that’s basic and obvious, but there can be similarities in the bites of these creepy-crawly creatures, and you want to know what you’re dealing with. In general, a mosquito bite isn’t going to be as impacting as a spider bite–but that definitely depends on your region. Spiders don’t spread malaria, after all. Simultaneously, there’s no “black widow mosquito” that can kill someone with a single bite.

This may seem like a question that’s basic and obvious, but there can be similarities in the bites of these creepy-crawly creatures, and you wan

So there are levels to the severity of bites coming from either multi-legged creature. The big difference is going to be in terms of venom. Spiders have it, mosquitoes don’t. However, there are spiders who have so little venom it doesn’t really make a difference. Sometimes their venom just isn’t toxic to humans, either. Here, we’ll briefly cover the primary differences between spider and mosquito bites to help you know what you’re dealing with, and what you should do. In terms of defining features, consider these:

• Bites Stay “Dry”; Puss Indicates An Infection
• Markings: Spiders Leave Two, Mosquitoes Leave One
• Some Spider Bites Are “Flat”, Mosquito Bites Always Swell
• Spider Bites Are More Rare, And May “Ulcerate”; Most Aren’t Necrotic

Bites Stay “Dry”; Puss Indicates An Infection
Whether you’re bitten by a spider or a mosquito, the bite should stay “dry”. If you start seeing puss come out of it, the bite has become infected, and you’ll need to seek the proper treatment. Generally, the bite leaves the skin affected and doesn’t “weep”. If you’re seeing a lot of puss around the wound, either something else neither mosquito nor spider bit you, or it’s become infected somehow.

Markings: Spiders Leave Two, Mosquitoes Leave One
Spiders use their fangs to inject necrotizing biochemicals acting as digestive enzymes into bugs so their innards become liquified, and can later be consumed by the arachnids. Accordingly, a spider bite will always have two tiny marks right near one another where either fang penetrated the skin. That’s generally the case, unless the spider only was able to bite you at an angle, and just one fang got in. For the most part, this is an immediate indicator. A one-hole bite is a mosquito, spiders leave two holes in the flesh.

Some Spider Bites Are “Flat”, Mosquito Bites Always Swell
Most mosquito bites swell up into a little welt on the skin. Usually the welt will be under a quarter of an inch in diameter depending on how much blood was pulled out of the skin, and how big the mosquito was. Expect a mosquito bite to be no more than a half inch across, and usually closer to a quarter of an inch. Spider bites can swell, but they don’t always.

For example, a brown recluse spider takes a bite out of a person, and the result is a “bulls eye” shape that sort of “sinks”. Like a mini skin crater, if you will. It will blister in the middle after a day or two, and there can be necrotic effects. This is one of the worst kind of bites, and can be lethal to young children. Effects usually go away after a week or two, but it can really affect a person. Here’s WebMD giving an in-depth examination of such bites.

Spider Bites Are More Rare, And May “Ulcerate”; Most Aren’t Necrotic
A spider bite can “ulcerate”. That means the area where the bite took place develops into a sort of “ulcer”. Should necrotic enzymes be injected by the spider, the wound can start “puffing up”. It will get black and blue. It will look downright terrible, as a matter of fact, and you may want to get it checked out.

Even so, most of these bites will heal on their own provided you give yourself proper fluid and nutrition, rest, and are careful not to irritate the wound unnecessarily. A mosquito bite will never ulcerate, it won’t puff up into a black-and-blue blister-looking wound, and it won’t “sink”.

Dealing With A Bite From A Spider Or Mosquito
Destructive Pests such as spider bites aren’t going to be harmful, though they’re going to look different, they may hurt a bit more, and they can be disturbing. Unless you’re very young or very old, you probably have more to worry about from a mosquito than a spider. However, that will depend on your country. West Nile Virus, Zika virus, and Malaria are all illnesses spread by mosquitoes. Malaria is one of the biggest killers in the world.

However, most developed countries don’t have many mosquitoes that are diseased. If you’ve been bitten by a mosquito or spider it will generally heal on its own, but watch the bite for a few hours to be sure, and have medical support options available if you need to make a call.

Insect bites – “ZelMedCenter: quality medical care in your city”

Insect bites

Insect bites – mosquitoes, bees, wasps, hornets, horseflies, fleas, ticks and spiders – especially affect children who are often on the street. Usually a bite causes a red spot with a small wound, sometimes bleeding, and a small swelling. Lice are usually spread through close contact between people. These are small insects, they move quickly and are often indistinguishable to the naked eye. Their eggs look like white or gray crumbs on their clothes or hair. The bites themselves are not too painful, almost invisible, but they cause intense itching, and the child can scratch the skin when scratching. At the site of the bites, pus appears, the lymph nodes swell and soften. If there are many combed areas, the child may have a fever.

Fleas cause reddish bumps on the arms, legs, neck or covered parts of the body that come into contact with rubbing clothing.

Tick bites often resemble large moles and often hold the insect on them. Moose mites are smaller than regular mites, they look like small dark bubbles. If the tick has already lagged behind the skin, then a red spot or swelling remains at the place where it was introduced. Sometimes, for example, in Lyme disease (transmitted by moose ticks and vectors are moose or field mice), a spot with a red center can appear, with a white ring around the bite, around which there is another red ring or just a red expanding area.

After mosquito bites, blisters appear, they itch a lot.

Bees, wasps, hornets sting painfully and burning, the bite site is surrounded by a tumor. Usually these insects leave a sting only in the open area of ​​the body.

In most cases, insect bites should not cause concern to parents, but they should be aware of the symptoms that accompany the bite. Sometimes there are serious complications. These include allergic reactions: redness of the skin, itching in the ears, mouth, eyes, cough, and other allergic reactions.

Children who react unusually to insect stings, such as bee stings, are often sensitive to them, their immune systems overreacting to such stings or stings. Such children should be kept away from places potentially dangerous for them (forests, edges, ravines), where there are accumulations of insects.

Any insect can bite, leaving a red spot, blister or swelling on the skin. But the extent of the reaction will depend on the child’s natural allergic defenses. The most aggressive insects are bees, hornets, wasps, mosquitoes, stinging ants, horseflies, fleas, and ticks.

Flea bites are most likely to occur if pets are nearby. Lice are especially common in kindergartens, schools, when one child transfers them to his comrades.

Mosquito, ant or horsefly bites can be treated at home by washing the affected area with soap and water, applying ice or a cold compress to relieve pain and itching.

Hornet, wasp, bee stings can be more serious, especially when there are multiple stings or additional symptoms are observed: reddening of the skin, severe swelling, hives, nausea or difficulty breathing. With a single sting and no additional symptoms, the lesion site is covered with a paste of water and a powder used to soften the meat to neutralize the poison. Then wash the area with soap and water. It is helpful to apply ice to reduce itching and bandage to prevent infection.

Especially about bee stings: the sting with poison can remain in the skin. It must be removed with tweezers so as not to crush it, otherwise the poison will penetrate the body.

The doctor should be informed as soon as possible if

• there is significant swelling around the bite site;
• fever, headaches, drowsiness or other symptoms persist for a week after the bite;
• pus appeared in the bites;
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck or other parts of the body;
• lice found in hair;
• flea bites;
• tick bites detected.

Tell the doctor right away if your child shows signs of fainting or is so weak that he cannot move. If there is no doctor, do not wait. Send the child to the hospital right away.

All of these symptoms may be signs that the child is in shock, which occurs in some people who are hypersensitive to stings (especially bees). Call your doctor right away if you have other symptoms such as itching around the head, hives, cough, redness of the skin, nausea, vomiting, or difficulty breathing

Is the bite of a house spider dangerous?

Many people feel disgust or even panic when a spider suddenly appears in their house, but is the bite of a house spider dangerous? t-online shares how to recognize such a bite and what are its consequences.

See also: How to get rid of spiders at home or in an apartment.

How to recognize the house corner spider

Ten different species of corner spider live in Germany, including the wall corner spider (Tegenaria parietina), the house corner spider (Tegenaria domestica), and the field corner spider (Tegenaria agrestis).

The best known, house corner spider, also known as basement spider or big corner spider, is mostly harmless. It often appears in home bathrooms or dark corners and intimidates many people simply because of its size – 10 to 16 millimeters without legs.

When a house spider bites

Spiders rarely bite. They usually pretend to be dead. Since humans are not part of the spider’s prey spectrum, they only bite defensively when they feel strongly threatened.

The corner house spider does not tend to approach a person, it only bites if you reach for it, step on it, or otherwise chase it. However, when bitten, a spider, unlike other species, can penetrate human skin with its chelicerae and transmit poison.

What are the symptoms of a house spider bite?

For most people, the bite itself feels like a small sting. It is painful, but not comparable to a bee or wasp sting.

After this, redness and slight swelling may appear at the site of the bite, which usually disappear after a few hours.

How to treat a spider bite

As with mosquito bites, cooling the affected area or applying a cooling gel may help. A fresh chopped onion placed cut side down on a wound can also provide relief.