Guide to Venomous and Common Spiders Found in South Dakota

Your Guide to Spiders Found in South Dakota

South Dakota is home to a diverse variety of spider species. While the majority of spiders found in the state are not considered dangerous, there are a few venomous spiders that can inflict bites. Here is an overview of common spiders in South Dakota and how to identify and avoid venomous species.

Common Spiders in South Dakota

Some of the most common spiders spotted in and around South Dakota homes include:

Grass Spiders

Grass spiders are found throughout the United States and get their name from their tendency to build webs in grassy areas. They have elongated bodies with a brown or grey coloration and prominent stripes on the abdomen. While they have venom, they rarely bite humans.

Parson Spiders

Parson spiders are slightly larger brown spiders found under logs, rocks, and in homes. They do not build webs to catch prey and instead hunt at night. Though not aggressive, they will bite in self-defense if mishandled.

Cellar Spiders

Also called daddy longlegs spiders, cellar spiders have tiny grey bodies and extra long, spindly legs. They build messy looking webs in corners of basements and ceilings. Their tiny jaws cannot pierce human skin.

Jumping Spiders

Jumping spiders are compact, hairy spiders that pounce on their prey instead of building webs. They come in black, brown, and sometimes iridescent colors. Jumping spiders will bite if provoked but effects are mild.

Orb Weaver Spiders

Orb weaver spiders spin large, beautiful circular webs outdoors to capture flying insects. Common types in South Dakota include garden spiders and barn spiders. They are timid and bite only when pressed against skin.

Venomous Spiders in South Dakota

While most spiders in South Dakota are harmless, there are two types of venomous spiders found in the state that can pose dangers to humans through their bites:

Brown Recluse Spiders

The brown recluse spider is perhaps the most concerning spider in South Dakota in terms of its venomous bite. Identifying features include:

• Small size - 6-13 mm body length
• Uniform tan to dark brown in color
• Dark brown violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax (body section)
• Long, thin legs
• Three pairs of eyes arranged in a semicircle

Brown recluse spiders build irregular webs in dark, undisturbed areas like attics, crawlspaces, cellars. They are usually only active at night.

While not aggressive, they will bite if accidentally pressed against the skin. The venom contains hemotoxin that can cause tissue damage, ulceration, and necrosis around the bite site in some cases.

Black Widow Spiders

Black widow spiders can also be found in South Dakota. Identifying features include:

• Shiny black body and legs
• Distinct red or orange hourglass marking on the underside of a round black abdomen
• Small size - body is 1/2 inch long

Black widows make messy, tough webs outdoors and in protected voids and spaces in homes. The venom contains neurotoxin that can cause muscle pain and spasms, abdominal pain, sweating and hypertension in humans.

Spider Bite Symptoms

Bites from spiders like grass spiders, jumping spiders, or orb weavers may result in minor swelling, irritation, or redness at the site. Other symptoms of venomous spider bites include:

• Immediate pain and swelling
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Fever and chills
• Muscle cramps or spasms
• Skin ulceration or tissue damage from brown recluse bites

Seek medical care if bitten by a suspected brown recluse or black widow. Antivenom may be used in severe cases. Watch for signs of infection and onset of necrosis with brown recluse bites.

Spider Bite Treatment

For mild spider bites, these self-care tips may help:

• Wash the bite with soap and water to lower infection risk
• Apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth to reduce swelling and pain
• Elevate the bite location
• Use over-the-counter pain medication as needed
• Avoid scratching or rubbing bite to prevent skin breakage

Monitor for increasing pain, swelling, nausea, or fever indicating a potentially medically significant bite requiring medical evaluation.

Preventing Spider Bites

Using these tips can help decrease the risks of being bitten by spiders in South Dakota:

• Keep basements, attics, and storerooms clean and decluttered
• Remove piles of wood, rock, and debris outdoors
• Clear webs from around the home exterior with a broom
• Seal cracks and crevices on walls, doors, and windows
• Install insect screens on open windows and doors
• Don't put bare hands in areas you can't see clearly
• Inspect or shake out shoes, clothing, and towels before use
• Use glue boards or insecticides to control indoor spiders

Being mindful when cleaning in dimly lit indoor areas can help prevent surprise spider encounters leading to bites.

Common House Spiders in South Dakota

While many species of spiders may wander indoors, these spiders often set up permanent residence inside South Dakota homes:

Cellar Spiders

Cellar spiders prefer to build loose, messy looking webs in dark corners of basements and cellars. They also inhabit attics, crawl spaces, garages, and can be found under furniture. Their tiny jaws are not a safety concern.

American House Spiders

American house spiders have a grayish-brown body with white banding on their legs. They build sturdy, funnel-shaped webs in undisturbed areas in homes. They rarely bite but may leave itchy welts.

Brown Recluse Spiders

Brown recluse spiders reside in boxes, closets, furniture, and shelving in the home. Their populations are concentrated in the southeast part of the state. They bite when trapped against skin.

Parson Spiders

Parson spiders are fast-moving brown spiders that hunt for other insects indoors at night. They live in floor cracks, furniture, or piles of clothes. Take care not to pinch them to avoid defensive bites.

Jumping Spiders

The zebra jumper spider and other varieties may inhabit South Dakota homes hunting down their next meal. They do not spin webs and prefer unused, undisturbed areas.

Common House Spider Bite Prevention

To help keep house spider populations under control:

• Vacuum and sweep floors regularly
• Seal cracks and entry points
• Remove clutter like stacks of boxes or clothes
• Apply pesticides in corners, baseboards, and windows
• Use glue boards to trap wandering spiders

Inspect items like shoes or jackets that have been left on the floor before putting them on. Bites often occur when spiders are unintentionally pressed against someone's skin.

Identifying and Controlling Hobo Spiders in South Dakota

Hobo spiders are funnel web spiders that occasionally make their way into South Dakota homes. Here is how to identify them and reduce populations:

Appearance and Behavior

• About 1/2 to 2/3 inches long
• Pale brown body with a herringbone pattern on the abdomen
• Long legs, especially the pair attached to the cephalothorax (body)
• Build funnel-shaped sheets of webbing low to the ground
• Nocturnal hunters preying on insects and other spiders

They are not native to South Dakota but can hitchhike on items transported from other states. Hobo spiders may take temporary shelter in homes when it gets cold.

Bites and Venom

Hobo spiders are not considered highly venomous, but they will bite humans if provoked or pressed against the skin. Bites generally cause mild reactions like:

• Moderate pain and redness
• Itching at the bite site
• Minor swelling
• Headache
• Nausea

In rare cases, bites may cause severe skin lesions. Seek medical care if the bite area becomes severely painful, swollen, or infected.

Controlling Hobo Spiders

To discourage hobo spiders from taking up residence in your home:

• Remove clutter like stones, wood piles, debris
• Keep grass and vegetation trimmed short
• Seal cracks and crevices around foundations
• Use insecticides labeled for spider control
• Dust windowsills, baseboards, corners with diatomaceous earth
• Place sticky traps around potential entry points

Hobo spider populations increase when ample prey like other spiders and insects are present around the home exterior. Keeping your property tidy helps make the environment less hospitable.

Wolf Spiders and Their Relatives Found in South Dakota

Wolf spiders and their relatives in the Lycosidae family are commonly spotted outdoors in South Dakota. Here are some of the most notable species:

Carolina Wolf Spider

• Large and hairy with a body over 1 inch long
• Brown, grey, black coloration often with stripes on legs
• Found on the ground in leaf litter and low vegetation

Rabid Wolf Spider

• Black body covered in grey and white hairs
• Often mistaken for tarantulas due to hairy body
• Inhabit short grass areas

Tiger Wolf Spider

• Brown or grey spider with stripes or chevron pattern on body
• Camouflages well in leaf litter, soil, and wooded areas
• Carries eggsac attached to spinnerets

Pirate Wolf Spider

• Charcoal gray color
• White stripe running down midline of cephalothorax (body section)
• Common in sandy soils

Wolf spiders do not spin webs to catch prey. While large, most South Dakota species are not prone to biting humans unless handled roughly.

Discouraging Wolf Spiders

To discourage wolf spiders close to your home:

• Remove brush, rock piles, leaf litter near foundations
• Trim vegetation back from the house
• Seal crawl space and basement entries
• Use insecticides or diatomaceous earth around perimeters
• Install yellow bug lights at entryways

Their camouflage and nocturnal wandering makes them occasional unwelcome guests. Taking steps to limit attractive habitat near your home can reduce grounds populations.

Venomous Spiders Found in South Dakota

While most spiders in South Dakota are not dangerous to humans, there are two venomous spiders to have heightened awareness about if living or spending time in the state.

Brown Recluse Spider

• Small brown spider with violin-shaped marking on body
• Found in dark, secluded, undisturbed areas
• Delivers hemotoxic venom that can damage skin tissues
• Builds irregular webs in corners, sheds, piles of debris

Black Widow Spider

• Shiny black spider identified by reddish hourglass shape on abdomen
• Construct messy, tough webs in protected voids and spaces
• Neurotoxic venom can cause muscle pain, abdominal cramping
• Often found in woodpiles, sheds, rodent holes, and crawlspaces

Being able to identify these spiders allows you to take appropriate precautions. While not aggressive, they will bite if accidentally disturbed or pressed against skin.

Treating Venomous Spider Bites

If bitten by a brown recluse or black widow spider:

• Wash the bite area with soap and water
• Apply a cool compress to reduce swelling
• Keep the bite location immobilized and elevated if possible
• Take over-the-counter pain medication as needed
• Monitor for increasing pain, nausea, fever indicating worsening envenomation
• Seek medical evaluation for antivenom treatment if needed

Catching the spider safely for identification can aid treatment. Spider bites can progress rapidly so prompt medical care is recommended.

Spider Bite Symptoms Requiring Medical Evaluation

Most spider bites result in minor reactions that can be managed at home. Seek prompt medical care for bites resulting in:

• Intense pain - Atypically severe pain spreading from the bite site can indicate venom effects.
• Blistering or ulceration - This can signify a necrotic venom reaction from spiders like the brown recluse.
• Muscle cramps or rigidity - Muscle spasms and stiffness are characteristic of neurotoxic spider venom.
• Difficulty breathing - Respiratory symptoms may signify anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals.
• Nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain - These systemic symptoms point to possible envenomation.
• Fevers and chills - Fevers can result from dangerous spider venom reactions.
• Extensive swelling - Rapid swelling extending beyond the bite area indicates significant envenomation.
• Skin rash - An itchy rash may indicate mild allergic reaction to venom.

Bites near the eyes or mouth, those affecting children or the elderly, or multiple bites also warrant medical assessment. Seek care if normal home treatment does not relieve symptoms.

First Aid for Serious Spider Bites

If bitten by a suspected dangerous or venomous spider and medical care is delayed, try these first aid measures while awaiting transport:

• Wash bite with soap and water if possible
• Apply wrapped ice pack to reduce swelling and slow venom spread
• Keep bite location immobilized below level of heart
• Cover with sterile bandage if available
• Have person remain still to slow

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.