How to tell if a Spider is venomous

Most species of spiders are not that dangerous to humans and post very little threat to us. Although few are venomous and very nuisance to people. Given the fact that arachnophobia is one of the most common phobia in the world, spiders can really be an annoyance to anyone and become pest.

Here are some species of spiders to watch out for:

  1. Brown Recluse – An adult spider is 1/4 to 3/4 inch in body – a dark violin shape is located on the top of the leg attachment region with the neck of the violin pointing backward toward the abdomen. They also have 6 eyes arranged in pairs – one pair in front and a pair on either side.
    Brown Recluse Spider
  2. Black Widow –  The body of an adult black widow is about 1/2 inch long. The female black widow is normally shiny black, with a red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen.
    black widow spider
  3. Hobo Spiders – Although the bite of the hobo spider is initially painless, the bite can be serious. they are brown in color and the adults measure roughly 1/3 to 2/3 inch in body length and 2/3 to 2 inches in leg span. Their abdomens have several chevron shaped markings.
    Hobo Spider
  4. Funnel Web Grass Spiders – The bite of these spiders is of low risk to humans. These spiders are often called grass spiders because they construct their webs in tall grass, heavy ground cover and the branches of thick shrubs. Rarely will a funnel web spider be seen indoors, except for an occasional wandering male.
    Funnel Web Grass Spiders
  5. Mouse Spider – Known to cause severe illness, especially to young children. It has large hard fangs which can cause a deep painful bite. First aid and medical attention (ambulance) should be sought as soon as possible.
    Mouse Spiders
  6. Black House Spider – The bite of the Black House Spider is poisonous but not lethal. Adults are about 1/2 inch in body length and of a dark brown to black velvet textured appearance.
    Black House Spider
  7. Wolf Spider – Although non-aggressive, they bite freely if provoked and should be considered dangerous to humans. The bite may be very painful. Adult is 1/2 inch to more than 1 inch in body length – mottled gray to brown in color, with a distinct Union Jack impression on its back.
    Wolf Spider