Dangerous Spiders Versus Harmless Spiders

If anything is certain about spiders, it’s that they are creepy. Some spiders are eerier than others, but no spider is attractive enough to brighten your day as it walks across your coffee table. However, just because most spiders look dangerous, it doesn’t mean that they all are. Many spiders are completely harmless and can even be beneficial. Here are a list of some dangerous spiders and a list of some benign species.

Dangerous Spiders

Dangerous spiders are spiders whose bites can cause serious harm, and even death, if not treated. If you are bitten by one of these spiders, go to the emergency room immediately.

Black Widow

Black widow spiders are small, with a shiny, dark abdomen which is large relative to their size. They also usually have red streak marks across their underside. They can be found anywhere in the United States, and hide in crawl spaces, basements and garages.

Brown Recluse

The brown recluse is very light brown and is said to have a violin-shaped marking on its back. They’re most populous on each coast of America, though scarcely found much in the north. Their venom is very dangerous, and bites should be given immediate medical attention.

Harmless Spiders

Daddy Longlegs

Daddy longlegs spiders are very well-known as the weird looking creatures that run around when you’re trying to garden. These spiders, as their names suggests, have very long legs. Daddy longlegs look odd, but they are entirely harmless.

Domestic House Spider

Domestic house spiders are dark orange or brown and are known for making funnel-shaped webs. They are common in America and hide in cupboards, attics, and anywhere else they can trap food. This spider is sometimes confused with its relative, the hobo spider, which is in fact very dangerous, though the domestic house spider can out compete them in hunting and actually help keep your house safer.

Why Does it Matter?

Dangerous or not, if you see a spider, it just makes sense to kill it, right? Not quite. Spiders have actually been living in human-made structures since humans have begun making structures, so in a way, our homes are their natural habitat. Furthermore, harmless spiders can play a vital role in keeping your house pest-free, even if they’re relocated to an out-of-the-way part of the house where you don’t have to look at them. So, the next time you see a spider in your home, check to make sure that it’s actually dangerous before you go swinging.

Depending on the species, spiders can be a great help or a great danger. Fortunately, it’s not very hard to learn which are which, so you know which ones to take out. For more information, or to receive quality pest control services, contact Harbor Pest Control today.