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.

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.”

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.