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Venomous Spiders
Kansas is home to hundreds of kinds of spiders, of all different sizes and colors, and in almost every type of habitat. Spiders are an important part of our ecosystem and eat more insects than birds and bats combined! However, there are 2 species of venomous spiders in Kansas that could produce serious signs or symptoms if bitten: the black widow and the brown recluse.
The female black widow is jet black with a red hourglass-shaped marking on the underside of her abdomen. Males are smaller, brown and not a big threat to people. Black widows live in undisturbed places such as woodpiles, dark corners of barns, garages, basements, closets and cluttered areas. Their webs are often asymmetrical and irregular in appearance.
Symptoms of a Black Widow Spider Bite
Right away, you may experience severe pain, burning, swelling and redness at the site. Other symptoms may include muscle pain and stiffness around the bite site. However, this pain could spread to larger muscles such as the back and abdomen. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, headache, difficulty breathing, fast heart rate, high blood pressure, excessive sweating, and weakness or tremors. Although symptoms can be severe, fatalities from a bite are extremely rare and patients usually recover quickly with no long-term issues.
The brown recluse spider might not be brown, but tan in color. It has a violin-shaped area on the front half of its body, with the neck of the violin pointing toward the spider’s abdomen. This is why it’s also known as the “fiddle-back” spider. The brown recluse prefers undisturbed areas like attics, garages, dark closets or under sinks. Outdoors, it hides under logs, porches or within piles of wood or rocks. The brown recluse does not use a web to trap its prey. Instead, it hunts at night and hides during the day. At night, it may wander into shoes, clothing or bedding, and it could bite if it inadvertently becomes trapped against your skin.
Symptoms of a Brown Recluse Bite
Symptoms at the site of the bite may start with pain, redness, swelling, itching and burning. Usually within 1 to 3 days, the bite may look like red rings around a black blister and could take on a “bull’s eye” appearance. It may take up to 14 days to see the full effects of the bite. While most bites will heal within a few days, some can continue to worsen and may need specialized wound care over several weeks. Rarely, symptoms could include fever, chills, nausea, joint pain, rash and weakness that develop after a couple of days after the bite and require medical attention to monitor and treat.
Call the 24-Hour Poison Help Line for Additional Support:
Treatment of Spider Bites
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Apply a cold washcloth or ice pack wrapped in cloth to the area.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
- If the bite is on your arm or leg, elevate it to prevent swelling.
- Call the Poison Helpline, 1-800-222-1222. They will ask for descriptors of the specific spider if it was witnessed. Sometimes, an updated tetanus booster may be recommended.
Prevent Spider Bites
Both the black widow and the brown recluse spiders are nonaggressive, and only bite when they are startled or surprised. To reduce your risk of being bitten:
- Wear protective clothing such as gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and long pants tucked into socks when working outdoors.
- Applying insect repellent containing DEET to skin and clothing can provide extra protection.
- Clear any yard debris to prevent spiders from making their homes nearby.
- Shake out clothing, blankets and shoes before using them – especially if they have been unused for quite some time.
- Make sure your home is sealed to prevent spiders from entering. Caulk cracks and crevices on the outside of the house.
- Keep the house clean and free of clutter. Vacuum under furniture and clear any spider webs.