Ohio

Ohio’s most dangerous spiders in midst of mating season

Published

2 years ago

June 17, 2024

Ohio’s most dangerous spiders in midst of mating season

OHIO (WJW)- In Ohio, all but one species of spider are venomous, but only two are considered dangerous to humans — the Black Widow and the Brown Recluse.

Fortunately, experts say these spiders are relatively uncommon in the Buckeye State, and spider bites (even small, non-concerning ones) are less common than you might think but here are some notes to keep in mind as both are in the midst of mating season — a time to be more cautious.

Brown Recluse

According to a Common Spiders of Ohio field guide, are “quite rare here” and most spiders believed to be a “Brown Recluse,” even by medical or pest control professionals, are misidentified. Experts note, that usually, the only time someone comes across a Brown Recluse is during mating season in June or July, when the males wander in search of females.

Brown Recluses are most likely to be found in warm, dry, and dark places. Outdoors, they might be spotted near rocks or woodpiles. Indoors they may be found in any area that goes undisturbed.

“At dawn, these wandering individuals may take refuge in clothing lying on the floor. When someone picks up the clothing and puts it on, the spider is crushed against the skin and may bite,” reads the field guide.

Small brown recluse spider climbing a wall.
Brown Recluse Spider isolated on white background
Brown Recluse Spider sitting on a white background.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a Brown Recluse bite often goes unnoticed at first because they are painless. Bite reactions later vary from a mild irritation to a potentially dangerous reaction.

Dr. Christopher Bazzoli, an emergency physician at the Cleveland Clinic, said those bitten often report a “red, white and blue-type of bite” that becomes visible one to three days later followed by a scab.

According to Dr. Bazzoli, the scab should be monitored.

“When those areas of tissue are killed, in their place is a shallow ulcer or an open wound,” said Bazzoli. “In about 10% of cases of more severe brown recluse bites, you’ll need a plastic or general surgeon to basically clean out that ulcer. You may even need a small skin graft to reduce scarring.”

The Cleveland Clinic reports severe symptoms including rash, fever, dizziness, vomiting, and chills. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Black Widow

According to a Common Spiders of Ohio field guide, the infamous ‘Black Widow’ is not nearly as common in Ohio as in southern states, and only female Black Widows pose a bite risk but, a bite can be serious, and anyone bitten should seek medical attention immediately.

Experts report, that Black Widows are not aggressive but can bite defensively, with most bites taking place when someone brushes up against a web.

Black Widow breeding season takes place in late spring and early summer.

“When they’re laying eggs, female black widow spiders can be a little bit more defensive,” said Dr. Bazzoli. “We often see black widow bites on the hands and the ankles — the places where people are reaching into an area.”

A Black widow rolling up a fresh kill
A black widow eating a captured roach
a spider captures food in her web in Aransas National wildlife Refuge

Black Widows prefer warm and dry climates. Outdoors they may be found under rock ledges, woodpiles or in gardening equipment. Indoor experts say they are more likely to hide in cluttered areas such as basements, closets, and attics.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the venom of a Black Widow attacks the nerve endings in muscles, causing symptoms such as severe, bodywide muscle pain and cramping.

A black widow spider bite causes a sharp pain, followed by numbness. The Cleveland Clinic reports symptoms can include trouble breathing, swollen or droopy eyes, headache, nausea or vomiting, excessive sweating, and fever. CLICK HERE to learn more.

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Ohio

Ohio State educators honored for service in classroom and beyond

Published

3 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Press Room

Ohio State educators honored for service in classroom and beyond

The work that educators do every day in teaching and furthering research and innovation is the foundation of The Ohio State University’s land-grant mission, President Ravi V. Bellamkonda said at the university’s annual Faculty Awards Celebration. The event was held May 6 at Vitria on the Square on Ohio State’s Columbus campus.

“The question is, what should we be doing together and what’s the goal for us as we move forward? I’d like to suggest that I would like for all of us to give ourselves the gift of reasonably high expectations of what we can achieve together, and you exemplify this,” Bellamkonda told the honorees.

“I’m optimistic about our future because of what you do in the classroom and the scholarship and the mentoring and the teaching and the community that you have created.”

The celebration shines a light on faculty’s contributions to Ohio State and the citizens that the university serves, Interim Provost Trevor Brown said.

“I want to acknowledge how special all of our faculty are in the work that they do in generating knowledge and sharing that with students and the broader community,” he said. “That is important and essential work.

The Distinguished University Professor appointment, Ohio State’s highest faculty honor, was awarded to: Gail E. Besner, College of Medicine; Shan-Lu Liu, College of Veterinary Medicine; Alan Luo, College of Engineering; Giorgio Rizzoni, College of Engineering; Brent Sohngen, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES); and Claudia Turro, College of Arts and Sciences.

“The title of distinguished university professor is a permanent honorific that includes automatic membership in the president’s and provost’s advisory committee,” said Patrick Louchouarn, senior vice provost for leadership and external engagement.

Three professors were recognized with the President and Provost’s Award for Distinguished Faculty Service: Caroline T. Clark, College of Education and Human Ecology (EHE); Susan E. Cole, College of Arts and Sciences; and John E. Davidson, College of Arts and Sciences.

Ohio State Interim Provost Trevor Brown said faculty’s teaching and research are essential. The Distinguished Scholar Award was presented to six faculty members: Christopher R. Browning, College of Arts and Sciences; David L. Hoffman, College of Arts and Sciences; Christopher Jaroniec, College of Arts and Sciences; Christopher A. Jones, College of Arts and Sciences; Matthew D. Ringel, College of Medicine; and Han-Wei Shen, College of Engineering.

Also recognized were recipients of the Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer and the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching

These honorees “are inducted into the Academy of Teaching and are honored with the academy’s medallion,” said Helen Malone, vice provost for faculty affairs. “Academy of Teaching members wear these distinctive medallions as part of their academic regalia.”

The Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer honorees are:

Christiane Buuck, College of Arts and Sciences.

Alexia Leonard, College of Engineering.

David Matthews, College of Pharmacy.

Calvin Olsen, College of Arts and Sciences.

U.S. Navy Lt. Michael L. Terranova, Naval ROTC.

Jennifer Walters, College of Arts and Sciences.

The Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching honorees are:

Jasmine Abukar, EHE.

Yigit Akin, College of Arts and Sciences.

Dawn Allain, College of Medicine.

Rebecca R. Andridge, College of Public Health.

Amanda Bird, College of Arts and Sciences.

Ellen Klinger, CFAES.

Danielle Schoon, College of Arts and Sciences.

Guramrit Singh, College of Arts and Sciences.

Margaret Sumner, College of Arts and Sciences.

Ryan J. Yoder, College of Arts and Sciences.

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Ohio

Manufacturing history unfolds at North Central Ohio Industrial Museum

Published

16 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Press Room

Manufacturing history unfolds at North Central Ohio Industrial Museum

MANSFIELD ― If you’re interested in manufacturing, you can come and see hundreds of products made in North Central Ohio — including appliances, tires, pumps, Klondike bars, cigars and pieces made for streetcars.

The North Central Ohio Industrial Museum inside the lower east diagonal wing of the historic Ohio State Reformatory showcases the history of manufacturing in Mansfield and surrounding areas.

Location

The Ohio State Reformatory, 100 Reformatory Road, Mansfield.

Why it matters

The museum traces the history of manufacturing in North Central Ohio since the first steam locomotive came through town in 1846. Exhibits highlight the accomplishments of local residents and industry in peace and war, according to NCOIM President Jerry Miller.

What to see

The NCOIM has several themed sections of exhibits, beginning with “Every town had a mill,” then the Cast Iron Age, City of Stoves, Wires & Electric Exhibits, Cigar & Beer, Wheels, AG Industry and Mickey Rupp, which then begins an exhibit on what is currently manufactured in Richland County.

Miller said the late Bob Glasener started the museum and was responsible for saving many local industrial artifacts over the years. Miller said Glasener’s daughter has in her possession the 1939 World’s Fair Westinghouse (gold-plated) roaster, which she donated to the museum.

The museum is full of surprising finds.

Elektro the Westinghouse robot should be on display this summer at the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum after being restored.

A manhole and stormwater grate from 1935 made by the Tappan Stove Co. are among the treasures Miller helped to preserve. He also has the Tappan marquee and a Westinghouse marquee.

Plan your visit

Hours/admission: The museum will be open the same hours as OSR and will be free to tour with the purchase of a ticket to the prison-turned-museum.

Getting there: OSR is on the north side of Mansfield, just off U.S. 30.

Learn more: mrps.org (OSR is operated by the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society).

Contact Lou Whitmire at 419-5-21-7223. She can be reached at X at @lwhitmir.

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