If you’re afraid of spiders, you share a common phobia with many Baltimore residents. Spiders certainly look creepy, with their quick, gangly movements and uncomfortable features.
Many people are concerned about spiders being potentially venomous. Luckily, there’s little to worry about with most spiders, and for the most part, you don’t need to be afraid of these pests. Let’s explore the common area spiders in Baltimore, MD, the spiders that you should worry about, and what to do about a spider problem.
Common Spiders in Baltimore, MD
All spiders have fangs and possess venom, leading many people to believe that all spiders can be dangerous. In truth, most spiders are only dangerous to the insects they eat. Their venom will almost never hurt you or your family.
Spiders come in countless shapes, sizes, and colors. Thousands of spider species have been identified, and thousands more have probably gone unnoticed. Only a few of these pests will manage to get in your home, however, and the non-threatening spiders in Baltimore include the following:
- Grass spiders – these brown or gray spiders are happiest outside the home. They build funnel-shaped webs in tall grasses, window wells, or steps, and they have light and dark stripes close to their head. They bite when afraid, but their bites are of very low concern to humans.
- Cellar spiders – also known as “daddy long legs,” these arachnids have smallish bodies and long, spindly legs. Their webs are far less intricate than most spiders – they simply create loose-weaving webs that stack on top of each other. Despite the common myth, these spiders are hardly venomous and can coexist without causing health problems to humans.
- Jumping spiders – These small arachnids are actually adorable. They usually have brown, black, or sometimes greenish bodies, and as their name suggests, they often jump from place to place. Some species are even known to fly, but these spiders mean no harm – they’re much happier outdoors and their bites are both rare and harmless.
Dangerous Spiders in Baltimore
There are two spider species in Maryland that Baltimore residents should worry about: the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider.
Black widow spiders are recognizable by the hourglass shape on the females’ bodies. These spiders are the most dangerous because of their venom: a black widow’s poison is up to 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake’s, causing nausea and paralysis to its victims.
Brown recluse spiders are some of the most commonly misidentified, but you can recognize them as medium-sized, brown arachnids with markings on their body that resemble a violin. Although they aren’t aggressive, they will bite if you get near one, and brown recluse bites often require medical attention because their venom can kill the cells around a bite wound.
If you believe either of these spiders to have bitten you, always seek medical attention. Spider bites are rarely threatening, but prolonged venom exposure could amount to a serious reaction.
Keeping Spiders Out
Spiders usually come inside because your house has food sources for them. Since spiders eat other insects, this means you might have a double infestation: spiders and other pests.
If spiders are bothering your Baltimore property, you need pest control professionals to get rid of them, as well as the pests that might be attracting them. The experts at Phenom Pest Protection are ready to protect your home against these obnoxious arachnids; contact us today, and we’ll protect your property from whatever pests are bothering you.
