Waking up with a red, itchy bump can send anyone searching for a culprit, and spiders often get the blame. If that's happened at your Bound Brook home, there's some reassuring news. Spiders rarely bite people, and most of the spiders living in New Jersey homes are harmless. Below, we'll cover why spiders get blamed for so many bites, which spider deserves real caution, what to do if you're worried about a bite and how to keep spiders out of your living space. This article isn't medical advice. For any bite that concerns you, see a doctor. To reduce spiders around your home, our spider control services can help.
Do Spiders Really Bite People?
Spiders can bite, but they rarely do. Most spiders have no interest in people. They spend their time hunting insects or waiting in their webs, and they hide when disturbed. Many house spiders have fangs too small or weak to break human skin easily. When a bite does happen, it's usually because a spider was pressed against skin, like when someone puts on a shoe, rolls over in bed or reaches into a box where a spider was hiding.
Why Spiders Get Blamed For So Many Bites
When people find a mark and don't know where it came from, a spider is an easy guess. But many marks blamed on spiders turn out to have other causes. Some of the more frequent ones include:
- Other biting pests. Mosquitoes, fleas, bed bugs, ticks, mites and biting flies all leave red bumps.
- Stinging insects. Wasps, yellow jackets and ants can leave painful marks.
- Skin conditions. Rashes, irritation and skin infections can look like bites.
That's one reason it's worth having a doctor look at any bite that is getting worse, spreading or painful. A doctor can figure out what's really going on.
Which Spiders Matter In New Jersey
Most spiders you'll find in and around a New Jersey home, such as house spiders, cellar spiders, jumping spiders, wolf spiders and orb weavers, are not considered dangerous to people. A bite from one of them, if it happens at all, is usually minor.
The black widow is the venomous spider known in New Jersey. Females are shiny black with a red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. They tend to stay in dark, undisturbed places like woodpiles, sheds, garages, crawl spaces and the undersides of outdoor furniture. They're shy and bite mainly when trapped against skin. Our guide to the black widow vs. common house spider shows how to tell them apart.
The brown recluse gets a lot of attention online, but it isn't native to New Jersey. A brown spider in your basement is far more likely to be a harmless grass spider, house spider or wolf spider.
What To Do If You Think You Were Bitten
- Stay calm. Most bites, from spiders or anything else, are minor.
- See a doctor if you're worried. Get medical care for any bite that worries you, gets worse, spreads or comes with other symptoms like feeling unwell.
- Get emergency help for serious symptoms. If someone has trouble breathing, severe pain or feels very sick, get emergency medical help right away.
- Save the spider if it's safe. If you saw the spider and can safely capture it in a sealed jar, bring it or a clear photo along. It can help with identification.
- Check for other pests. If bites keep appearing with no spider in sight, another pest may be responsible.
How To Reduce Spiders In Your Home
Spiders come inside for shelter and food. The fewer insects and hiding spots you have, the fewer spiders you'll see:
- Seal gaps. Caulk cracks around windows, doors, pipes and the foundation, and fix torn screens.
- Cut clutter. Store items in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes, especially in basements and garages.
- Shake things out. Shake out shoes, gloves and clothing that have been sitting in a garage, shed or closet.
- Wear gloves outside. Use gloves when moving firewood, stones or stored items.
- Move beds away from walls. Keep bedding off the floor so spiders can't climb in easily.
- Reduce insects. Fewer bugs around your lights and foundation means less food for spiders.
When To Call A Professional
If you're seeing a lot of spiders, suspect black widows around your home or keep finding bites you can't explain, an inspection can give you answers. Our NJ DEP-licensed technicians identify the spiders and other pests in your home, find the insects spiders are feeding on, apply targeted treatments using EPA-registered, eco-safe products and seal entry points. Every treatment is backed by our EcoGuard Guarantee, with free inspections and same-day or next-day service.
Spider bites are less common than most people think, and the right mix of medical care and pest control takes care of the worry. A doctor for any concerning bite and a few smart habits will keep your Bound Brook home comfortable.