Guide to Wisconsin's Most Common Native Spider Species

A Guide to Wisconsin's Native Spider Species

Wisconsin is home to a diverse array of spider species perfectly adapted to the states forests, prairies, wetlands, and urban environments. While all spiders possess venom and fangs, very few Wisconsin spider species pose any danger to humans. Most play important roles helping control pest populations or serving as food for birds and other wildlife.

Below we detail some of the most common spider species native to Wisconsin, what makes them unique, and how to identify them.

Orb Weavers

Orb weavers represent some of Wisconsins most striking and beneficial spider species. Ranging in colors from yellow and black to green or brown, orb weavers spin large, intricate webs often found in gardens, fields, or wooded areas.

While orb weavers do possess a toxic venom, they rarely bite humans unless severely threatened. Their venom is not considered medically significant if they do bite.

Best identified by their colorful, circular webs, common Wisconsin orb weaver species include banded garden spiders, yellow garden spiders, basilica orb weavers, and marbled orb weavers.

Fishing Spiders

Wisconsins selection of fishing spiders thrive near water sources like streams, marshes, ponds, and lakeshores. As their name suggests, fishing spiders dont spin webs to catch prey. Instead they actually hunt by waiting patiently for insects to Surface near the water's edge.

Though they have strong venom, fishing spiders rarely bite and pose little threat to humans. Look for dark brown or gray fishing spiders with banded legs around Wisconsins wetlands.

Wolf Spiders

Belonging to the Lycosidae family, wolf spiders are adept hunters found across Wisconsin forests, parks, and backyards. They chase down insect prey instead of spinning webs.

Large and hairy, wolf spiders use venom to subdue prey. But they infrequently bite humans. The most common wolf spider species in Wisconsin include the Carolina wolf spider, rabbit wolf spider, and common house spider.

Cellar Spiders

Tiny cellar spiders weave messy-looking webs in dark corners of Wisconsin homes. Despite their small size, cellar spiders possess a toxic venom that helps immobilize prey like flies, mosquitoes and other household pests.

As they rarely come into contact with people, cellar spider bites are extremely uncommon. Their venom poses minimal risk to humans.

Jumping Spiders

Around 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, jumping spiders are aptly named for the way they leap onto prey instead of building webs. Thanks to their large front eyes, jumping spiders have incredibly acute vision compared to other spider species.

Some common jumping spider species in Wisconsin include the daring jumping spider, gray wall jumper, and bold jumper. Though they have enough venom to immobilize small insects, jumping spiders pose negligible threat to human health.

Wisconsin Spiders That Can Cause Harm

While the vast majority of Wisconsin spiders play important ecological roles and dont interact with people, there are two venomous species native to the state that can cause negative reactions:

Northern Black Widow Spiders

The notorious black widow spider resides throughout southern Wisconsin. Black widows are identified by the red hourglass shape on their otherwise black bodies as well as their messy-looking webs.

Northern black widow venom is highly toxic and contains a neurotoxin that can damage human nervous systems and tissues. But deaths from black widow bites are extremely rare as healthy individuals can recover with proper medical care and antivenom.

Common symptoms of a Wisconsin black widow bite include severe muscle aches and cramps, abdominal pain, heavy sweating, headache, nausea and vomiting. Black widows tend to only bite when disturbed or threatened.

Brown Recluse Spiders

Wisconsins brown recluse spiders have more dangerous venom than black widows in terms of tissue damage. However, confirmed populations currently only reside in the far southwestern corner of the state.

Often found in man-made structures like basements or garages, brown recluse spiders are identified by their sandy brown coloration and dark brown violin shape on their body. Bites usually only occur if trapped against human skin.

In addition to intense pain, brown recluse venom destroys cell membranes causing wounds that are slow and difficult to heal. Seek emergency care if bitten by a Wisconsin brown recluse spider.

Protecting Your Home from Spiders

While the vast majority of Wisconsins spider species provide free pest control and pose no health risks, no one wants an abundance of spiders taking up residence in their home. Here are some tips to spider-proof your living space:

Seal Up Entry Points

Install weather stripping around doors and windows and seal up small cracks in your homes exterior to block spider access points. Pay special attention to vents, pipes, wiring holes, and gaps around the roofline or siding.

Reduce Clutter

Get rid of debris like firewood stacks, compost piles, leaf litter, or tarps around the outside of your home. Clutter offers spiders places to hide, build webs, and hunt insect prey that may also be attracted to the area.

Install Lighting

Bright security lights and motion sensor spotlights around your homes perimeter can deter nocturnal spiders prowling for food. Just be sure exterior lighting isnt attracting additional insects.

Use Spider Repellents

Apply natural spider deterrents like tea tree, citrus, peppermint or eucalyptus oils in corner areas, windows, doorways and wherever else spiders may enter. Reapply every 2-4 weeks.

Diatomaceous earth sprinkled around your homes foundation can also repel spiders and other unwanted pests. This powdery chalk comprised of fossilized algae damages insects exoskeletons.

Implement these spider prevention measures to keep your home free of cobwebs without having to resort to harmful chemical pesticides.

The Benefits of Spiders in Wisconsin

While no one wants an infestation, the majority of Wisconsins spider species provide valuable services to local ecosystems:

Pest Control

Spiders help suppress mosquito, fly and other insect populations that can spread disease and destroy crops. Most orb weaver and wolf spiders possess venom capable of paralzying prey insects significantly larger than themselves.

Food Source

Spiders serve as a nutritious food sources for Wisconsin birds, small mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Jumping spiders in particular provide baby birds with essential proteins for growth and development.

Pollination

Jumping spiders with their exceptional eyesight pollinate a variety of plants including orchids. As spiders crawl into the flowers chasing prey, pollen grains stick to their bodies transferring to the next blossom.

So while spider bites can theoretically cause nasty reactions, spiders play too important of an ecological role to eradicate from Wisconsin altogether.

Implement targeted spider deterrents when necessary. But also do your best to simply coexist peacefully with these largely beneficial creatures.

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.