Are Spiders Dangerous?

Chances are you know a few people who are scared of spiders. You may even be frightened of them yourself! It’s understandable why spiders are so feared, but most types are completely harmless and are actually considered beneficial to our environment.

However, there are two types of dangerous spiders in Tennessee to be wary of: the black widow and brown recluse. While rare, a bite from either of these spiders can be harmful and may lead to symptoms that should always be addressed by a medical professional.

Poisonous spiders in Tennessee

Did you know that all spiders are venomous? This is because they all contain venom that is used to paralyze and kill other insects they prey upon. The good news is that the venom from your typical house spider won’t cause any serious symptoms. A bite from a black widow or brown recluse can be much more dangerous, which is why it’s so important to be able to identify them:

• Black widow: Females infamously possess a characteristic red hourglass mark on the abdomen of their black, shiny bodies.
• Brown recluse: These are light brown spiders best identified by a dark brown, violin-shaped spot on the dorsum.

Are house spiders harmful?

Everyone knows that seeing a spider or two is completely normal. Unfortunately for those afraid of these eight-legged arachnids, some types of spiders prefer to live indoors. Thankfully, these house spiders are almost always harmless! In fact, indoor spiders will help keep the insect population inside your home under control and will avoid contact with you. The spiders you should worry about are black widows and brown recluse spiders, who will come indoors in search of food or shelter.

Do you need a spider exterminator?

Although spiders are mostly a beneficial part of our ecosystem, no one wants to deal with an excess amount of spiders inside their property. If you are seeing a lot of spider webs or dangerous spider species in or near your home, it’s time to call a professional spider exterminator. The pros at Johnson Pest Control have been providing spider extermination since 1984. Call us today for a free inspection!