Benefits to humans- In addition to reducing local disease-carrying insects, spiders provide humans with other medical benefits. Spider venom is used in neurological research and may prevent permanent brain damage in stroke victims. The silk produced by spiders is used in many optical devices including laboratory instruments.
An arachnologist (a person who studies spiders) in the
Most spiders are not poisonous to human beings. There are about 3,000 different spiders in
Only four kinds of spiders are known to cause health problems in the
Tarantulas
Tarantulas are large, hairy spiders found in the southern
Black Widows
The black widow female, but not the male, is big enough to bite a person. She is about 1/2 an inch long and shiny black.1 She is easily recognized by the red hourglass design on the bottom of her abdomen. Black widows are found throughout the Northwest. They tend to live in dark, dry, undisturbed places including garages, barns, sheds, wood piles, and outhouses. Most bites occur when cleaning out or picking up objects in these kinds of places. If you are bitten, the pain spreads from the bite to other places. Sometimes spasms occur. Children, elderly people, and people with other problems are likely to have more severe symptoms. If you are bitten you should get medical attention.
Brown Recluse Spiders
Brown recluse spiders come in various shades of brown. They have black violin- shaped markings on the back of the cephalothorax, although sometimes this can be hard to see. They have six eyes (most spiders have eight) and fine hairs on their legs and abdomen. Brown recluse spiders are common in the central
Hobo Spiders (Aggressive House Spiders)
The hobo spider is common in the
