Harmless & Poisonous Spiders in Pennsylvania: What Tops the List?

Creepy crawlies are not normally a pleasant surprise, especially when you find them in your Pennsylvania house. Of the listed phobias, arachnophobia typically tops the list.

Unfortunately, there are over 37 unique species of spiders that can be found in Pennsylvania, which is enough to make any arachnophobe want to jump out of their skin.

Despite an overwhelmingly negative reputation, spiders are generally harmless creatures. These eight-legged creatures are often more afraid of you than you are of them. For the most part, spiders tend to leave people alone and are very good exterminators themselves.

The key to avoiding a spider bite is staying aware, especially when gardening or moving things around. You never know when you may run into one.

While most spiders are harmless, there are a few that can be very dangerous and potentially poisonous should they bite you. The best way to handle an arachnid issue is by knowing what you are up against. Here are some common spiders found in Pennsylvania.

Common Spiders in Northeast Pennsylvania

Luckily, most spiders in Northeastern Pennsylvania are not considered poisonous and are usually more helpful than they are harmful. Typically, the spiders listed bite very rarely or not at all. While they may not be pleasant roommates, they do not pose a direct threat.

• Common house spider – small, brown, and very common. They can be found just about anywhere and have very few bites reported.
• Long-bodied cellar spider (Daddy Long-legs) – have long, thin legs. Usually found in sheds, attics, garages, and basements, and do not bite.
• Yellow Garden Spider – yellow with black stripes. Females are larger than males. Usually found in weeds or on porches. Normally, they won’t bite unless they are protecting their eggs.
• Grass Spiders – large, yellow-brown. Found in fields/pastures. Fast and shy; rarely known to bite.

Jumping Spiders

Another common type of spider in Pennsylvania with a small twist is the jumping spider. These spiders do not spin silk; they jump instead.

These spiders are leap-hunters by trade, and any silk they do spin, they use to keep them from falling great distances. Commonly, jumping spiders will hide and spring onto their prey. There are two types of jumping spiders that are very common in Pennsylvania.

• Bold jumping spider – Small, hairy, black and white, noticeable eyes. Shy creatures – they rarely bite humans.
• Dimorphic jumping spider – Males Can be black with yellow legs, or grey, with red, white and black markings. Females usually follow the second description. Found normally in trees or vegetation. They’re shy and rarely bite humans.

Other Hunting Spiders

Jumping spiders are not the only arachnids that hunt their prey differently. These spiders stalk and attack their prey, including humans, if they’re viewed as a threat. In addition to stalking, these spiders will build funnel webs to capture unsuspecting victims.

• Wolf Spider – Very commonly found in woods and wet areas. Large, dark brown-grey in color with an “alien” face. Night hunters. Found in dark places. Will bite – but have non-potent venom.
• Barn Funnel Weaver – Reddish-brown in color with yellow hairs. Found in barns, sheds, or other outdoor storage areas. Fast and shy – not biters.
• Cross Orbweaver – ¼ inch to ¾ inch long. Yellow-brown in color with wavy lines and black spots. Found near outdoor lighting. They will bite humans.
• Parson spider – Hairy black and white spider. Found in leaf piles, under boards or rocks. Rarely attacks humans, but bites are painful.

Poisonous Spiders

Finally, these are spiders you should watch out for. While, like most spiders, these creatures will leave you alone, they will bite if they feel threatened. These spiders can produce very harmful bites, even deadly if not treated.

• Black Widow – Latrodectus mactans. All black spiders with bright red hourglass marking. Web-builder. Bites can go unnoticed; venom can disrupt the muscles and nerve routes leading to heart failure.
• Brown Recluse – Brown with a violin-shaped pattern and long legs. Found in warm, dry locations or undisturbed areas. Power, venom. Bites carry severe symptoms and eat away at the tissue.
• Broad-faced Sac Spider – Black with bright red legs. Hides under leaf piles, boards, windowsills, and other dark areas. Hides in a silk shelter. Produces a painful bite with a severe secondary infection.
• Woodlouse Hunter – Reddish-orange color with a cloudy white abdomen. Found under rocks, in the ground or under leaf piles. The bite is painful and causes localized itching erythema.
• Long-legged Sac Spider – ¼ inch and light yellow or cream in color. Found inside homes, often in corners or on walls. Will bite when threatened. The bite is painful and burning, followed by itching and blistering.

How to Identify Poisonous Spiders in PA

• Look for distinctive markings (e.g., red hourglass, violin shape).
• Pay attention to their habitat; venomous spiders often hide in undisturbed areas.
• Use a flashlight to inspect dark or secluded spaces for webs or spider activity.
• When in doubt, if a spider bite is swollen or painful, have it looked at by a medical professional.

Spider Prevention Tips

While spiders are extremely common in the dense forests of Northeast Pennsylvania, it doesn’t mean you have to live side by side with them. Thankfully, preventing spiders from entering your home is easier than dealing with an infestation. Here are practical steps to keep them at bay:

1. Seal Entry Points: Repair cracks in walls, doors, and windows and use weather stripping to seal gaps around doors. Install fine-mesh screens on vents and windows and apply spray foam to any gaps larger than a few inches.
2. Declutter Your Home: Clutter not only invites spiders but also other insects. Consider cleaning up your home by placing larger items in storage or organizing any miscellaneous items in storage bins.
3. Eliminate Webs: Regularly remove webs from ceilings, corners, and outdoor spaces using a broom or vacuum to disturb the spider’s habitat and force them to leave.
4. Reduce Outdoor Lighting: Spiders are attracted to insects that are drawn to light, such as moths, which is why you should limit outside light during nighttime. Use motion-activated or yellow-tinted bulbs to minimize insect activity.
5. Maintain Your Yard: Trim shrubs and trees near your home to prevent spiders and other insects from making a home in your yard. Keep firewood and debris at least 20 feet away from the foundation to keep spiders and, worse yet, termites away from the home.
6. Control Insects: Spiders feed on other bugs, so reducing their food source can help. Use pest control methods to minimize insect populations in your home.

When to Call an Exterminator

While many spider problems can be managed with DIY prevention measures, there are times when professional help is necessary. For example, if you are suffering from recurring infestations and seeing more spiders than you’re comfortable with, reach out to a local exterminator for help.

We also recommend contacting an exterminator if you spot a poisonous spider on your property for your safety and anyone who dwells there.

An exterminator will be able to identify common spider attractants and remove them to prevent spiders from returning and eliminate any existing ones on your property.

FAQs

Are most spiders in Pennsylvania dangerous?

No, the majority of spiders in Pennsylvania are harmless and beneficial for controlling insect populations. Only the black widow and brown recluse are venomous and pose risks.

How can I tell if a spider bite is serious?

Seek medical attention if you experience intense pain, swelling, fever, or necrotic skin (tissue death) around the bite. Symptoms from venomous spider bites may escalate quickly.

What attracts spiders to my home?

Spiders are attracted to food sources (insects), dark or cluttered spaces, and shelter from the elements. Reducing insects and sealing entry points can help keep them out.