Please help id this spider?

Question

I live in Western Pennsylvania, and our home has woods in the back yard. This spider is the 4th of its kind I have found in our home (in the kicthen and by the washer and dryer) in the last 4 days. It's brown and about the size of a half-dollar. Sorry the picture isn't better but I was shaking the camera as it was trying to go under my refrigerator. Also, I didn't get a chance to count eyes or look for a violin shape before I smooshed it so I don't know if it's a recluse, (do any other spiders look similar to a recluse?)

[IMG]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a97/cmlane1/spider.jpg[/IMG]

Any input is greatly appreciated as I have 2 small children. Does anyone know what it is? It's creeping me out.

Thanks ~Christy

sorry for all the html...trying to get pic to post.....

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a97/cmlane1/spider.jpg

[IMG]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a97/cmlane1/spider.jpg[/IMG]

Answer 1

it is simply a wolf spider, probably in the genus Hogna. Wolf spiders easily get into homes as they are commonly found on the ground and can easily slip under doors, or can be brought in with lawn furniture or fire wood. Don't worry, there is nothing to be concerned about, although a spider this large is quite capable of delivering a bite, there are no medical concerns with a bite form any variety of wolf spider. I have worked with them for several years and have been bitten before, it hurts but does not last long, even for children. These spiders are actually quite docile and require quite a bit of provocation in order for them to bite. I have easily handled the largest of wolf spiders in the wild without being bitten. If it really gives you the creeps which I imagine it is, just put a cup or container over the spider, then slide a piece of paper under it to scoop it up, then just toss it outside.

Hope this gives you some peace of mind!

Answer 2

A brown reluse has a violin shape on it's back with the neck of the violin pointing to the rear. They are cream colored or dark brown, depending on what they have eaten. Brown Recluse spiders are only about 3/8 inches in size. Anything 1/2 inch or larger is NOT a Brown Recluse. Since your spider was about the size of a half dollar, I can say with some certainty that it was not a brown recluse. And finding 4 in the same area is not indicative of the brown recluse. Also, the thorax of the spider pictured doesn't fit the size or shape of a brown recluse. If you should see another, try to capture it or kill it without totally destroying it and take it to a local high school or college or even an exterminator. They can tell you exactly what it is. Given the right circumstances, all spiders will bite, tho there is little danger from them. Good luck.

Answer 3

Relax, it's not a brown recluse. In fact, it looks
nothing like a brown recluse. The recluse has
got so much publicity that everyone thinks every
brown spider must be a recluse.

You picture appears to be of a wolf spider, one
of the kinds that commonly enters houses at
times. The picture isn't clear enough to tell what
specific kind of wolf spider it is, though it does
show that it is a male.

Wolf spiders are nothing to worry about. If you
want to get them out of the house the easiest
way is to turn an empty jar down over them and
slide a sheet of paper under it. Then pick up
jar and paper together and dump the spider out
of the house.

There are very few spiders in the U.S. which
have severe bites - only the recluses and the
black widows. The recluses don't occur in
Pennsylvania and the black widows are rare
there. Newspaper reports of recluse bites are
unreliable. I saw newspaper reports of two
human deaths from recluse bites in Ohio. One
of them turned out to be meningitis, the other
one had no evidence that the person had been
bitten by a spider. The actual death rate from
recluse bites may be zero, I have never seen a
report of a death that could be believed.

Answer 4

Don't worry. I think that is a male wolf spider. I see them all the time in my backyard. It is not a brown recluse for sure. I am a 10 year old spider fanatic. I love catching spiders. But then I dont know what to do with them so I put them outside again!

P.S, its not a recluse for sure.

Answer 5

Sorry I don't know exactly what kind it is but if I were you I would take the picture to the local Health Dpt. , or even a local store were they sell pest supplies, I bet somebody there would know . Here in Florida most pest companies are very knowledgeable .
Good Luck and do tell us when you find out.
P.S. look at
Looks like a brown recluse spider to me. Stay away.

Source(s):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/brown_reclu...

Answer 6

There are in user-friendly terms 2 varieties of spiders in united states of america that would kill you and those are recluse spiders and widow spiders. because of the fact it does not seem to be the two, i'm specific your wonderful. i might advise getting your place appeared at nevertheless, because of the fact 3 widows on your room means which you will have an infestation of a few variety. wish that enables.

Answer 7

As far as I can make out it does look like a brown reculse spider.The brown recluse spider builds a loose, irregular web in sheltered outdoor or indoor corners. It sometimes hides in folds of cloth, and it may bite if disturbed. The bite of the brown recluse spider is poisonous to humans and can cause death.You've better ask an expert's help to ensure yours and your children's safety....

Answer 8

Looks more like a Southern house spider than a recluse. Hard to tell from the pic though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_house_spider

Answer 9

Looks like a brown recluse spider to me. Stay away.

Answer 10

It certainly looks like a common brown spider. I googled a pic that looks
just like yours. I typed in brown spider., try it and see if you think so too.