Indiana Spiders: Helpful or Harmful?

YESpestpros • October 14, 2018

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, there are more than 400 species of spiders in Indiana. If you live in one of the many rural farming communities in Indiana, it is likely that you see a few of these little guys in your home every day. Luckily, only two of these species are capable of inflicting serious injury on humans – brown recluse spiders and black widow spiders.

Brown Recluse Spiders

spiders in indianaBrown recluse spiders, also known as violin spiders or fiddle-back spiders are not aggressive and are reclusive, as the name suggests. This means that they want nothing to do with you and they will do what they can to get themselves out of harm’s (your) way. However, if they feel threatened, they may bite humans. A brown recluse spider bite is painful and can often require medical attention. Although brown recluse spiders are not aggressive, being knowledgeable about how to identify a them or their bites is important if you live in Indiana.

When outstretched, a brown recluse spider is about the size of a half-dollar. They are unusual because they only have six eyes, whereas most spiders have eight.

They often have a dirt or sandy brown body, with a darker brown violin-shaped marking on their back. Although many people are taught to identify a brown recluse by this violin shape, many spiders have this marking, so this alone is not a significant enough to identify a brown recluse. Many common house or jumping spiders have stripes on their legs, whereas a brown recluse does not. So, if you see a spider with striped legs, it it not a brown recluse and you have no need to worry.

Brown recluse spiders often live in dark, dry areas such as sheds or barns. As stated above, they are not aggressive and do not want to bother you. However, because their bites are venomous, if you see one, you should contact a local pest control company.

Black Widow Spiders

spiders in indianaLike brown recluse spiders, black widow spiders are not aggressive and do not want to be disturbed. They are rarely found in homes and like to live in dry, dark areas. Black widow spider bites are rare, but being aware of them is important.

Named for their unusual ritual following mating during which the female sometimes kills and eats the male, only adult females are venomous; males and juveniles are harmless. They spin irregularly-shaped webs and like to build them near the ground. Female black widows are most identifiable by their shiny black bodies with red or yellow markings (usually an hourglass shape) on their bellies. They are much smaller than the brown recluse, about the size or a penny with their legs outstretched.

Although black widow spiders bites are rare, you definitely don’t want to mess with these guys (ahem, ladies). If you see one in your home, just call us.

Other Types of Spiders in Indiana

So what about the other 398 species of spiders in Indiana? Well, we’re happy to say they’re pretty harmless. Some of them may bite if they feel threatened, but it their bites are not venomous and will not cause injury. If anything, you can feel encouraged by the presence of spiders – they’re doing you a favor and ridding your home of other pests!

Of course, that doesn’t mean you really want them around. If you aren’t too keen on these eight-legged friends, give us a call.

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