Dangerous Household Spiders You Should Know About

Spiders are a common pest to come across in your home. It is startling to find one of these arachnids scurrying across your room or inching its way down from the ceiling on a silky string. While not all of these little guys are dangerous, some of them can pose a threat to you and your loved ones. If you have discovered a spider that you believe is threatening, it is important to contact a pest control professional immediately. If you or someone you know is bitten by one of these threatening spiders, it is important to get medical attention immediately. But what spiders are threatening?

What makes a spider dangerous?

The difference between a harmless spider and a harmful one is their ability to cause a severe reaction when they come into contact with you. Most spiders are not aggressive towards humans, but when they are provoked or threatened they may bite. Some spiders release venom when they bite while others do not, and depending on the type of venom it can be more or less toxic to humans. When you combine these factors, you can determine what spiders are dangerous and which are not.

Dangerous Spiders

There are thousands of different spiders on this planet, but many are unlikely to encounter in your home. However, these are the spiders you should keep an eye out for:

• Brown Recluse Spider Can be identified by its long legs and violin or guitar shaped brown spot toward the top of their head as you can see in the image below. Their bite is very venomous and can be lethal if not treated right away. If you believe you have found a brown recluse spider, be sure to contact us immediately and avoid it.  

• Black Widow Spider Can be identified by its shiny black coloring and most importantly the red markings on the underside of the abdomen that often looks like a red hourglass. This spider’s venom can be lethal if enough is administered or if it is not treated proactively.
• Yellow Sac Spider Can be identified by its pale yellow coloring. This spider’s bite may only produce minor pain and irritation, but it's believed to be the culprit behind the majority of reported spider bites in the U.S. They travel in large numbers so you spot even one you want to contact a pest professional for removal quickly. Just spotting one here or there could be the first sign of infestation. 

When to Seek Professional Help

If you become aware of a spider infestation of any type or feel that there are simply too many in your home, it's best to call for assistance. However, if you are able to identify the spider as a dangerous species, you should contact a professional immediately and avoid it when possible. American Pest understands that these pests can pose a threat to you and your loved ones, and we want to help you remove them. Even if you have a lot of activity from harmless spiders, it could be a sign that there is a bigger problem, so take back your home and contact us today.