Watch Out For The Most Dangerous Poisonous Spider In Minnesota

When you live in Minnesota, you tend to think there aren't dangerous creepy crawly things to worry about like in other parts of the country.

When it comes to snakes, the majority of them are harmless. In fact, of the 17 snake species found in Minnesota, only two are venomous, the Timber Rattlesnake and the Eastern Massasauga. However, both species are only in southeastern counties and are rarely encountered.

When it comes to spiders found in Minnesota, technically 7 are considered poisonous, but the vast majority aren't truly considered dangerous. There is, however, one big exception.

7 Poisonous Spiders Found In Minnesota

According to Rove, there are 7 poisonous spiders found in Minnesota. While the bite of most can cause pain and discomfort, they aren't generally considered dangerous. These spiders include:

• The Yellow Sac Spider: Yellow sac spiders are found throughout Minnesota and may be found indoors year-round. Reactions to bites vary but can include short-term swelling, redness, soreness, or a small necrotic wound.
• The Black & Yellow Garden Spider: These outdoor spiders are most likely to be found in gardens, shrubs, tree branches, and weeds. Their bite will give a reaction similar to a bee sting, but they aren't considered to be dangerous.
• The Wolf Spider: Wolf Spiders are everywhere in Minnesota and are most commonly found beneath stones and debris, but they tend to move indoors when it gets cold. Their bite can be as painful as a pinprick up to a bee sting, and the venom may cause numbness but is not usually dangerous to humans. However, secondary bacterial infections from bites are a possibility.

• The Jumping Spider: These colorful spiders are usually found around exterior walls, window screens, tree trunks, logs, rocks, etc. The bite is like a bee sting, but the venom is not usually dangerous to humans.
• Nursery Web Spider: These large spiders, with a notable leg span, are found throughout the state in sunlit vegetation, nooks of tree trunks, building exteriors, cattails, and aquatic plants. As is the case with other poisonous Minnesota spiders, their bite is similar to a bee sting, but the venom is not dangerous to humans.
• The Woodlouse Hunter Spider: These dusk-hunting spiders have a fierce look with noticeable fangs. They are found in basements, crawlspaces, under rocks, and near foundations. They can deliver a painful bite with those fangs, but the venom is not dangerous to people. However, secondary bacterial infections from their bites are possible.

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While getting bitten by any of the spiders above is not a fun experience, there is generally little to worry about outside of some discomfort. That, however, isn't necessarily the case with the most dangerous spider in Minnesota.

The Most Dangerous Spider In Minnesota

The spider with the most potent venom in Minnesota is part of the Hourglass Spiders (Theridiidae family) which includes other, more commonly found and less dangerous Minnesota spiders.

Meet The Northern Black Window Spider

The northern black widow spider is a type of true black widow spider that has some differences from other black widow spiders, such as the southern black widow.

For example, in northern black widows, the upper and lower halves of the hourglass are separated into two red spots, while the marking on the southern black widow is represented by a single, red, hourglass-shaped mark.

Adult females measure between 9 and 11 millimeters long, while males measure 4 to 5 millimeters long. Here's what happens if you happen to get bit by one of these lovely creatures:

The Bite
Individual reactions vary and some lucky souls may not notice any symptoms, but reactions could include:

• Severe pain
• Burning
• Swelling
• Redness
• Two fang marks
• Rash

The Venom
The bite of this spider feels similar to a pinprick, but the venom is a potent neurotoxin that may cause

• Fever
• Severe muscle cramping
• Nausea which typically persists for 1 to 2 days.
• Vomiting
• Difficulty breathing
• Excessive sweating
• Swollen eyelids
• Weakness
• Tremors

While that is a scary list of symptoms, it's important to note that death rarely results from their bite and is typically associated with other conditions.

Signs They Are Inside Your Home
How can you tell if you have a northern black widow spider in your home? For starters, their webs are irregular in formation and small to medium in size.

They are most likely to occupy small enclosures especially in and around:

• Outbuildings
• Sheds
• Pump enclosures
• Meter enclosures
• Rodent bait stations
• Building perimeters along the foundation

I guess the bottom line is that if you discover one of these spiders, stay away from it and if it's inside you're home, it's best to call a professional to handle the situation.

SEE NOW: Here Are 4 Of The Most Snake-Infested Lakes In Minnesota

The good news is that while they can be found in Minnesota, northern black widow spiders aren't very common, so hopefully, you never discover one, let alone have one bite you.

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