Every spider is creepy and unlikeable to an extent, but some species are far worse than others. O’Fallon has a wide variety of spiders, with some of the most prominent species also being the most dangerous in the country.

Wolf spiders are the least threatening on this list, but they are still a major problem if they happen to invade your home. These arachnids are furry and brown with black markings. They do not build webs, instead choosing to hunt their prey using their speed and venomous bite. Wolf spider venom is not deadly to humans, so if one happens to bite you, it is not a dangerous ordeal. One of the most off-putting features of wolf spiders is how they care for their young. The mother will carry her 100 hatchlings on her back until they can leave and fend for themselves, and seeing these tiny spiders is enough to give anyone a scare!

Brown recluses, also called “fiddleback spiders,” are one of two deadly spiders in O’Fallon. They are also hunters and will hide in the darkness under boxes and rocks before pouncing on their nearby prey. Brown recluses can grow to be about 1/2 of an inch long, and their brown coloring and elusive nature can make it tough to spot them when they are in hiding. They will only bite us if we get too close, but the venom can spread throughout our bodies if the bite is not immediately treated. 

Black widows are the most dangerous common spiders around, so it is helpful that their distinct markings give them away. These spiders are black and shiny with a red-orange hourglass shape on their abdomen. They love dark and dry spaces that have plenty of cover for them to construct their hidden webs under. Black widows will typically stay in their webs, especially once the egg sac is there, so they commonly bite humans that disturb their web. Their bites are treatable, but need to be addressed immediately before the venom spreads.

If you or someone in your home has been bitten by a black widow or brown recluse, please seek medical attention as soon as possible. If properly treated, these bites will go down and the symptoms will lessen soon. It is not worth it to leave invasive spiders alone when they are in your space. Our experienced Pointe technicians are prepared to handle even the most dangerous of spiders, and we will not leave any arachnid untreated. For a free quote on our family-safe services, contact our team today!