What kind of spider is this? Wood spider, wolf spider? (exterminator, insects)
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We have a lot of them here. No biggie and no reason to go run screaming out of the house. Although we had a visitor from the north who did just that. She has arachnophobia and our bathroom was inhabited by a monster wolf spider that ran across her bare foot. We let him live because they are considered good luck by my people.
I had one inside my house shoe and then I put my foot into it and walked around for a few minutes. He never bit me, although he could have because he was right up against the top of my foot. When I took my house shoe off, he ran off and hid.
Wolf spiders are also feed on other spiders so depending on where you live they might keep the really nasty ones under control in your house.
No, I don't have that backwards. Wolf Spiders are defensive biters if provoked. Clinically significant can be anything from a painful swelling to fever and malaise.
As for the venom they don't have the necrotoxic agent, Sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase in their venom, so any necrosis at the site is likely do to a severe, local reaction, or the introduction of MRSA into the bite wound.
I think our disagreement stems from the 125 different species of Wolf spider. Our very different geographic region, and spiders, probably lends to the confusion.
Medical Importance
Wolf spiders will bite if handled or if trapped next to the skin. However, their venoms are not very harmful to humans, which is fortunate since the Hogna species are very large spiders whose bites could do serious damage if their venoms were more potent. Typical reactions include initial pain and redness, which subsides with time. No serious medical consequences of these bites have been noted.
I think our disagreement stems from the 125 different species of Wolf spider. Our very different geographic region, and spiders, probably lends to the confusion.
Right - will bite if handled or trapped close to the skin, those are defensive bites as I've indicated.
I think we're arguing semantics here - defensive vs. aggressive. A defensive spider will bite if provoked or threatened, that's not aggression, that's protection.
Hogna aspersa is the hogna species found in the the PA area and as I've said, they aren't an aggressive breed, there really are few truly aggressive spiders. Most want nothing to do with humans and will make a threat display and then try and retreat, biting only if provoked past that point. Even the Sydney Funnel Web Spider (Atrax robustus) has been handled safely and without incurring a bite. The only truly aggressive species that comes readily to mind is the Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria) as they've been known to actually surge forward in attack and bite repeatedly before running off.
Especially the 6th one down, it looks like he's waving at you!
We have jumping spiders in the house, they mostly hang out in the kitchen on the windowsill and the counter. They keep me company when I'm washing the dishes. I think they're adorable
How can I find out if this spider will be dangerous to my 2 yr old son. We have them in our home and don't know how to get rid of then, because we also have other pets.
How can I find out if this spider will be dangerous to my 2 yr old son. We have them in our home and don't know how to get rid of then, because we also have other pets.
Wow old thread! Well as mentioned we would get these all of the time, but for the past couple of years we have been using "Ortho™ Home Defense" and I don't think I have seen but one and one that was dead. It helps keep them out altogether. You can use it indoors and it is safe to use around pets, but they do not need to be around it until it dries.
This is an older looking bottle - but this is what it is: You can get it at Walmart for around $8.00 or so.
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