Grass Spiders in Illinois: Identification, Dangers and Control

Understanding Grass Spiders in Illinois

As a homeowner or gardener in Illinois, you've probably encountered spiders around your property. One common species is the grass spider, a mostly harmless spider found throughout the state. Learning to identify and manage grass spiders can help alleviate fears over their presence.

Appearance and Behavior of Grass Spiders

Grass spiders belong to the Agelenidae family and have a distinguishable elongated body shape with slender legs. Their bodies measure approximately 1/2 inch in length, with a legspan reaching up to 2 inches wide.

In terms of color, grass spiders can exhibit brown, gray, black, or tan bodies with darker brown or gray striping. A key trait are their eight eyes arranged in two rectangular rows of four.

As their name suggests, grass spiders inhabit fields, forests, yards, and other areas with tall grass or vegetation. During the day they reside in funnel-shaped webs or hide amongst the greenery. At night they emerge to hunt for prey.

Are Grass Spiders Venomous or Dangerous?

While grass spiders do have venom used to subdue insect prey, they pose minimal risk to people or pets. Their fangs are not robust enough to easily pierce human skin. Furthermore, the venom is not medically significant if a bite were to occur.

In general grass spiders are timid and not aggressive. They prefer fleeing from threats rather than biting defensively. For homeowners who discover them in Illinois yards or gardens, they can be safely left undisturbed.

Managing Grass Spiders Around the Home

If grass spiders have made themselves at home around the exterior of your property, there are some humane ways to discourage them such as:

• Trimming back thick vegetation giving them habitat
• Installing outdoor lighting which deters spiders at night
• Removing debris piles or firewood stacks they hide under
• Sealing cracks and crevices along the homes foundation

In terms of handling spiders directly, scooping them into containers allows for safe relocation outdoors instead of killing them with pesticides or other means.

Dangerous Spider Species in Illinois

While grass spiders may be harmless, Illinois does host a few spiders of medical importance requiring caution and proper identification. These include brown recluses and black widows found sporadically around the state.

Identifying Features of Brown Recluses

Brown recluse spiders have distinguishing violin-shaped markings on their backs, with bodies reaching 1/2 inch upon maturity. Their legs lack prominent stripes and they exhibit six equal-sized eyes.

In terms of behavior, brown recluses inhabit dark, quiet areas like attics, basements, closets and woodpiles. They become most active at night when hunting for prey.

Bites from brown recluses can potentially cause skin lesions or tissue damage at the bite site. However bites often go unreported as their fangs frequently cannot penetrate clothing or outer skin layers.

Danger of the Black Widow Spider

Black widow spiders exhibit a glossy black body with a prominent red hourglass shape underneath. Females measure approximately 1/2 wide when fully grown. Males are half that size but share the same traits.

In Illinois black widows frequent secluded spots like wood and rock piles, fallen logs, and the undersides of outdoor furniture. They construct messy webs which provide warning of their presence.

The venom from black widows is more toxic compared to most other spiders. While rare, bites can trigger muscle cramps, pain, and nausea requiring medical support in some cases.

Spider Bite Treatment and Prevention

If bitten by a suspected black widow or brown recluse, these first aid tips can help:

• Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water
• Apply a cool compress to relieve swelling and pain
• Monitor for signs of infection and seek medical care if worrisome reactions occur
• Capture or take a photo of the spider for identification if possible

Reducing places around the home suitable for spiders can also limit risks. This includes proper sealing, regular cleaning, removing clutter, and keeping spaces dry.

Spider Control Options for Homeowners

Homeowners uncomfortable with sharing their property with spiders do have some control options. However extermination should focus only on dangerous species instead of beneficial or harmless ones present around Illinois homes and gardens.

Physical Removal Techniques

Manually removing spider webs or trapping spiders allows for relocation instead of killing them. Useful tricks include:

• Using web dusters attached to poles for removing webbing
• Capturing spiders in jars for outdoor release
• Vacuuming webs and spiders with specialty vacuum tools
• Sealing entry points to prevent reentry

Pesticide Sprays for Spider Control

If attempting do-it-yourself spider control, concentrated pesticide sprays are available. These can be applied to garages, attics, basements, and other areas prone to spiders.

However, pesticides do carry inherent risks if used improperly. It's important to always read and precisely follow label directions for the specific product in terms of dosage, protective equipment, ventilation requirements, and application method.

Professional Spider Extermination Services

For homeowners wanting spider control without handling pesticides, professional exterminators use commercial-grade solutions. They also have specialized equipment allowing them to access hard-to-reach spider harborage points.

Extermination technicians first thoroughly inspect for signs of infestations and then create customized treatment plans targeting the uncovered spider issues.

Professional services do come at a cost but provide effective, lasting spider control without endangering pets or family members.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.