What kind of spider is this?

Question

I have killed two of these spiders in my house in the last week. I just want to know what kind it is and if my family is in any danger from these.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/17349760@N04/1829446639/

Thank you

Answer 1

These spiders are everywhere. I've been bitten by them more than once. If you notice a knot under the skin after itchiness, that is a spider bite (or a skin infection, in some cases). If you notice a spot like that and it comes to a head and develops pus, visit your doctor, since it got infected.

The best treatment for spider bites for me is to take a Benadryl tablet and use cool compresses on the bite area. Go to the doctor if a fever is present or if pus forms. Clear fluids emanating from the bite are OK. Anything cloudy, yellow, or green is something a doctor needs to treat.

If the bite has a bull's eye pattern, see your doctor ASAP. It could be a black widow bite. Black widow spiders are black and shiny with red on their abdomen. The female is the poisonous one, and the red mark will look like an hourglass. They tend to take over webs that have been abandoned or will kill a spider to get it.

A brown recluse is the only other spider to be wary of in msuch of the US. They tend to live in bushes and trees, and in places not bothered much by human or animal activity (hence the name "recluse".) If you have a bite that ends up as a "depression" in the skin, go see a doctor. The brown recluse bite is poisonous and tends to kill/dissolve nerve and muscle tissue. The brown recluse looks a lot like a wolf spider. It, however, has a marking on the underside that looks like a violin.

So, see a black spider with a red hourglass or a brown spider with a violin, and you'll be dealing with a dangerous spider. (Either that, or you are hallucinating!) Most bites will not kill, but only destroy tissue. If, however, you are bit several times (rarely happens at all), then you definitely need medical attention ASAP. 911 would be the best option in that case. I've heard that black widow bites hurt like the dickens. It is very likely one would bite you without you noticing.

There was a story of a man working at a construction site years ago on the news. He picked up a piece of siding and lifted it over his head. Black widows were nesting there and they attacked him as a defensive maneuver. There were people around, so he made it through with anti-venom after being driven to the hospital. So, avoid letting empty webs linger and make sure you are attentive when visiting dark corners of your garden shed and overturning dead trees/rocks.

Answer 2

That is a Wolf Spider. Don't kill them as they are very beneficial in irradicating the nasties you do not want wondering around you home. They are active hunters, meaning that they actively hunt down their prey. Shine a flashlight at them in the dark and their eyes will glow similar to a cat's. They have very good eyesight for a spider. They will not bite unless threatened, but their bite can be quite painful, although their venom is not dangerous to humans and will only cause a localized reaction, similar to a mosquito bite.

Answer 3

I have simply located a nest, in my lawn, of what looks to be one hundred's of little yellow and black spiders newly hatched...Never visible them earlier than in my existence.... Being a little involved (Yellow and Black is commonly natures caution signal) I have performed a quantity of searches... After trawling the online it looks it probably be a form of Argiope (black and yellow lawn spider) nonetheless that's a US spider and I am dwelling within the UK... Further shopping indicates their is a 'Wasp Spider' that's located in Contienial Europe and in many instances the South Coast of England... Which remains to be a thriller as I reside within the Midlands(England - UK) that's miles from the any coast allow simplest the South Coast.... Should I be charging persons to come back and consult with my Garden to look this infrequent web page or is there one more form of spider out right here? They aren't unsafe to individuals are they I believe??? - my mum could be very anxiouis!!! Damon

Answer 4

While it would help to know where you are, I think I can assure you that this isn't a dangerous spider. It's a male probably of some variety of Wolf Spider, or possibly one of the Agelenids (looks like it might have the little 'tail-pipe' spinnerets at the back end there). It's not one that I'm familiar with at first glance, though.

Answer 5

Common wolf spider. All spider's are venomous, however, these are not harmful to you or your family, don't worry.

http://meanderthal.typepad.com/dope/images/wolf_spider.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikelowndes/134799054/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emace/1344569453/
http://images.whatsthatbug.com/images/rabid_wolf_spider.jpg


**Ughhh...and the thumbs-down for correct answers begins...