Which Spiders Are Harmless?

There are thousands of different types of spiders in the world. Some are harmless, while others can be deadly. Knowing the difference between these dangerous and harmless species can help protect your family.

Venomous spiders are arachnids that carry a toxin that can be harmful to humans. A few of the most common venomous spiders include the black widow and brown recluse.

House spiders are small arachnids that live in human homes. These are often mistaken for tarantulas. The main difference is that tarantulas have eight legs, while house spiders have four.

Common house spiders are relatively peaceful, but some can bite. In most cases, the spiders will try to get away from you if they are threatened. If you notice a venomous spider in your home, you can kill it with diatomaceous earth.

Another type of venomous spider is the wolf spider. Wolf spiders can be found at ground level, and they are quite aggressive. They usually hide in dark, crevices and shrubs. However, you can often spot them in your yard.

Redback spiders are often found in Western states. They are venomous and can kill children or elderly people.

The Sydney funnel-web spider is native to Australia. It lives in wet areas, and has a venom that can be deadly to humans.

The most famous venomous spiders are the brown recluse and the black widow. These spiders have distinctive yellow and brown abdomen stripes. While they are not particularly aggressive, the bite is often painful.