Do You Need to Worry About Venomous Spiders in Michigan?

Is Michigan home to any venomous spiders? The short and scary answer is; yes.

So, if you're a Michigander who's afraid of spiders, this is probably not the thing you want to hear. However, there is some good news... there are only a couple you need to be on the look out for.

It turns out, there are over 500 different species of spiders in the Mitten State, but only two of them are venomous.

Venomous Spiders in Michigan

And let's just get this out of the way really quick... they're venomous, not poisonous. Venoms are when toxins get injected into you, like from a bite or a sting. Poison is when a toxin enters your body through "inhaling, swallowing, or absorption through the skin." That's straight from the National Parks Service.

Here's who you need to be on the lookout for:

Black Widow Spider

You can spot a black widow by its black body with a distinctive red hourglass-ish shape on its belly. Usually these guys can be found in woodpiles or logs.

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Brown Recluse

Brown recluse spiders can be identified by the fiddle-shaped outline on its back. They can typically be found in secluded, dry spots in your garden or backyard. However, Michigan State says that most Michiganders "will never come within a half-mile of a brown recluse spider." So, hopefully that helps set your mind at ease.

How Can You Tell if You've Been Bit by a Venomous Spider?

If you don't immediately see or notice that you've been bitten, it may take some time for symptoms to strike.

Black widow bites tend to cause bodily pain, starting with dull body aches and ramping up to severe muscle cramps, fever, and nausea.

Read Related: Do You Need to Worry About Venomous Snakes in Michigan?

With brown recluse bites, there might be a sharp pain at the bite site, a blister may form, and in severe cases, the skin around the bite might die and create a sore.

In any case, you should see a doctor as soon as possible if you believe you've been bitten. IMMEDIATELY if you've been bitten by a black widow, as the doctor may need to give medicine or antivenom.