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Garden Spider Bites: What You Need to Know

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Have there been times when you found yourself across garden spiders? Well, these spiders looked scary at the time but were also quite intriguing. I saw one garden spider in my backyard, and I was quite mesmerized. It was so tiny and minding its own business.

I wanted to take a closer look but could not help but wonder if a garden spider bites. In this article, we will discuss the same and so much more; take a look.

Can Garden Spiders Bite?

Garden spiders are non-aggressive and generally will not bite humans. However, if they are at any point trapped or feel threatened, they may bite. However, these types of spiders have venom that is not harmful to humans.

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Having said that, while garden spiders are not aggressive and typically will not bite humans, there is always the potential for them to do so if they feel threatened or disturbed. In very rare cases, a bite from a garden spider may result in some swelling and discomfort.

Are Garden Spiders Dangerous?

Garden spiders are not one of the four species of spiders that can potentially harm humans. While all spiders have venom, only a small percentage of them are dangerous to humans. Garden spiders are generally harmless and will not bite unless provoked.

Furthermore, even though garden spiders are venomous, their venom is not potent enough to cause harm to humans. The bites of garden spiders can be painful, but they are otherwise harmless.

Lastly, while garden spiders are not considered dangerous to most people, it is possible for someone to develop an allergy to their venom.

This can result in symptoms such as swelling and difficulty breathing. If you are ever bitten by one of these spiders, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Types of Garden Spiders

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Here are some more spiders you could see in your garden:

European Garden Spider

The European garden spider is a species of spider that is native to Europe. They are frequently found in gardens and other outdoor areas. They are popular for their large size and distinctive web patterns.

It is also known as the writing spider because of the way it weaves its web. This spider can be identified by its brown body and black legs. It is venomous, but its bite is not considered dangerous to humans.

This species grows to be about 0.22-0.78 inches in length and feeds primarily on insects. They are generally not aggressive but will bite if threatened.

Banded Garden Spider

Banded garden spiders are found in various regions across the US and Canada. They are identified by their characteristic banded pattern on their abdomens. These spiders are generally not harmful to humans and will only bite if they feel threatened.

They are typically as long as 0.16-0.98 inches – the females are about twice the size of males. They are silver and black with two white stripes on their abdomen.

These spiders build webs near the ground to catch prey, which includes insects, other spiders, and even small lizards or frogs.

Brown Widow Spider

The brown widow spider is found in many parts of the world, including North America, South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. They are identified by their characteristic markings – a black body with an orange hourglass on the underside of their abdomen.

They are generally shy spiders and will avoid contact with humans if possible. However, they can easily bite if they feel threatened, and the venom can be harmful.

Brown, widow spiders are common around the home. They can be found in many different places, including gardens, garages, and sheds.

Woodlouse Spider

Woodlouse spiders are so named because their primary prey items are woodlice. They are found throughout the world and vary in color and size depending on the species. They build simple webs near the ground and wait for their prey to wander by.

They are easily identified by their large size- adult females are twice the size of males. Woodlouse spiders prey on other spiders, as well as woodlice and other small insects. They are not considered to be harmful to humans.

Common House Spider

The Common House Spider is found in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. They are generally found to be brown or gray and have markings on their abdomen that look like a violin.

It is one of the most commonly encountered spiders in North America. They build their webs in dark, secluded areas such as basements, crawl spaces, and garages and are a common sight in gardens.

These spiders are not aggressive and will usually only bite humans if they feel threatened.

While its venom is not lethal, it can cause some irritation and discomfort. This spider helps to control the population of pesky insects in the home.

The common house spider is a small, dark brown arachnid that can be found near the corners and edges of windows and doors. They build their web to catch insects but will also feed on other spiders, small animals, or even human skin.

They are generally considered harmless to humans unless they are threatened or attacked. In these cases, the spider will bite with its chelicerae (jaws) in an attempt to defend itself.

Female spiders may lay up to 100 eggs at a time; after hatching from these eggs, the young spiders will disperse and start building their own webs.

How Long Do Garden Spiders Live?

Garden spiders are common in gardens and yards. They typically live for about a year, but some can live up to two years. In most cases, the males die soon after mating.

What Does a Garden Spider Bite Look Like?

Garden spider bites look no different from the bites of various spiders and insects. Some people may have an allergic reaction to the venom, but for the most part, garden spider bites are harmless.

In various cases, you may not even be in the position to realize that you’ve been bitten by a garden spider if you did not see the spider bite you. The Garden Spider is shy and will generally try to avoid contact with humans.

However, if it feels threatened or is provoked, it may bite. The bite of a Garden Spider is often painless and goes unnoticed.

Are Garden Spider Bites Poisonous?

Garden spider bites are not poisonous and will not cause any harm to humans. However, there are some spiders that do have venomous bites, so it is important to be aware of the different types of spiders that live in your area.

Furthermore, even though garden spiders are not poisonous, an allergic individual could experience anaphylactic shock from a bite.

Anaphylactic shock is a life-threatening condition that can cause the throat to close up and the heart to stop. It is necessary to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms after being bitten by a spider.

Thus, it is possible for a garden spider to bite a human, although such an occurrence is quite rare. In the event that you get bitten by a garden spider, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

What to Do if You Are Bitten by a Garden Spider?

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If you are bitten by a garden spider, the first thing you should do is clean the area with water and soap or an antiseptic wipe. Garden spiders are not known to be venomous, but it is still best to clean the wound just in case.

If you experience any symptoms after being bitten, such as swelling, nausea, or dizziness, seek medical attention immediately.

The next thing to do in case of a bite is to apply antibiotic cream to the spot. This will help to reduce the swelling and ease the pain.

Can Spiders Bite Through Garden Gloves?

Spider bites are a common fear, but the vast majority of spiders in North America cannot bite through garden gloves. There are a few species that can, such as the black widow and brown recluse, but they are not typically found in North America.

Interestingly, some spiders have longer fangs and can pierce through garden gloves more easily.

However, it is not common for spiders to bite humans unless they feel threatened. In general, it is best to be aware of the spiders in your garden and take precautions when working outside.

Even if you’re wearing garden gloves, there is still a chance that spiders could bite you. To prevent this from happening, you could also try the following:

– Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt

– Tuck your pants into your socks

– Spray yourself with insect repellent

Lastly, if you are worried about spider bites, it is best to check which species live in your area and take appropriate precautions.

How to Get Over Your Fear of Garden Spiders?

There are many people who are afraid of spiders. This fear can often be overcome by gaining a better understanding of these creatures and their biology.

Education is the primary source for getting over a fear of spiders. By learning about their behavior, how to identify them, and what to do if you encounter one, you will be less likely to feel afraid.

While it is understandable to have a fear of spiders, especially if you are bitten by one, there is no need to kill them when you see them.

In fact, killing indoor spiders can actually make the problem worse because they will be forced to find another place to live, and that might be in your house. There are a number of ways to deal with spiders in the garden without having to resort to violence.

In fact, many people find that spiders can be beneficial because they help to control the population of pests like mosquitoes. If you have spiders in your garden, there is no need to worry – they will not harm you, and they will eat plenty of insects.

Should You Kill a Garden Spider?

Garden Spider Bites

It is advised not to kill these helpless creatures, especially because garden spiders are a non-aggressive type of spider that can help control the population of insect pests in your garden.

They are typically found near the ground and build their webs close to the ground as well. While they may look scary, they will not bite humans unless they feel threatened.

Summary

Garden spiders are a common sight in gardens and yards. They are usually harmless to humans but can bite if they feel threatened. Their venom is not harmful to most people unless you have an allergy to it. Garden spiders are beneficial species that help control pests in the garden.

About the author

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.