Giant House Spider Bite: Everything You Should Know

Giant house spiders are the most discussed topic in every household. Many people even consider it horrific to imagine if such spiders bite them. If it haunts you, how can you identify these spiders? What to do if they bite you? Just don’t panic.

We will answer your curiosities, as this blog will have everything to address, from spider bites to much more. So, let’s get started.

What Are Giant House Spiders?

Known scientifically as Eratigena atrica, the giant house spider is one of the spider species. These spiders originated from Europe, spreading to other parts of the world, including the United States.

Giant house spiders are extremely large in size and move with extreme speed. They might seem dangerous to most, although giant house spiders pose little threat to humans in most instances.

They are funnel-web spiders. They are commonly found inhabiting houses, basements, and garages, where they mostly help kill pests with flies and other insects.

They have a habit of peaking in the late summer or autumn periods when they are always searching for mates.

Ways to Identify Giant House Spiders

Knowing how to recognize a giant house spider is necessary to understand that they’re in your house. In fact, they are a bit easy to identify. The species is considered one of the larger indoor species, mostly recognized for their leg span.

One of the major characteristics of them are long, hairy legs. They don’t live in any random place unless they can construct a funnel for their ground for hunting. You can find them more frequently in corners, the basement, or behind furniture, as they thrive in quiet places where no one disturbs them.

Some of their major characteristics are:

Are Giant House Spiders Venomous?

House spiders are venomous, but their venom is harmless to humans. The main purpose of the venom of a giant house spider is to immobilize the prey. Their most common are flies, beetles, and other small insects. They use their venom as a natural defense and hunting tool, but its effect on larger creatures like human beings is mild.

Giant house spider bites are rare and only occur when they feel threatened or cornered. Their venom is not strong enough to cause any major damage. Their venom is much weaker than black widow spiders or brown recluse spiders, which may cause serious reactions.

In most cases, there might be slight redness or irritation in the area where the spider bites, which feels like a mild insect bite. There is little danger of severe symptoms, and such spiders are harmless despite their big size and appearance.

What Happens If a Giant House Spider Bites?

The effects of a giant house spider bite are generally mild and short-lived. Their bites are similar to common insects, which cause minimal irritation. Slight redness, minor swelling, or a small amount of pain at the site of the bite are typical symptoms that usually resolve without intervention.

However, house spider bites may get a little severe if someone has a sensitive skin or allergies. Allergic person may feel itching or prolonged redness around the affected area.

Giant house spiders are big, but they hardly inject much venom when they bite because they are primarily trying to escape rather than to defend themselves aggressively.

You may feel warmness in the affected area when you touch it. The period of healing from such spider bites depends on the immune system of a person. Wound maintenance, such as washing it with mild soap, also reduces the risk of post-secondary infections.

However, severe reactions may necessitate medical attention rarely. It is always best to monitor the bite if symptoms won’t go away in a few days.

Giant House Spider: Lifecycle, Diet, and Habitat

The lifecycle of a giant house spider includes three stages: egg, juvenile, and adult. Most of the females lay eggs in homes or any other sheltered areas. When the eggs hatch, the young ones emerge, growing into adults within one year, depending on environmental conditions.

The giant house spider mainly feeds on small insects and pests, making them beneficial for controlling household pests.

What You Should Do If a Giant House Spider Bites You

If you realize that a giant house spider has bitten you, taking proper care will help you recover without any problems. However, below are a few things that might help you in such situations.

1.   Clean the Bite Area

Remove any bacteria that may be present with other particles in the affected area. Dry the area lightly by using a clean towel. After that, you can apply antiseptic cream so that infection may be curbed. This is the main thing you can do if you have scratched the affected area by chance.

2.   Reduce Swelling and Pain

Apply an ice pack applied to a cloth to compress and numb the area. You can also use OTC pain relievers to reduce the pain. But make sure that you have to avoid excessive pressure on the affected area as well.

3.   Monitor for Symptoms

Observe the signs and symptoms of a bite over a few days to ensure that they are improving. Slight redness and swelling are normal, but any pus, increased pain, or other unusual signs or symptoms should be reported to a doctor. Early attention prevents complications that rarely occur.

4.   Basic Wound Care

Keep the wound clean and covered with a sterile bandage if necessary to prevent further irritation. Avoid scratching as it can introduce bacteria and delay healing. Applying soothing creams or antihistamines can also help to reduce itching.

How a Giant House Spider Bite Looks Like

A giant house spider bite often can resemble just a slight bee sting. This is usually small, a reddish mark, maybe with slight swelling or redness around that area. Getting bitten by a gian house spider is less dangerous that getting bitten by hobo spiders and brown recluse spiders.

Conclusion

The giant house spider bite is normally harmless to humans. You may feel a little discomfort, which happens rarely. Understanding these spiders, their lifecycle, and their behavior can help you coexist with them while answering any concerns about their bites. Remember, their presence often benefits homes by reducing pest populations.

FAQs

1. Are giant house spiders dangerous to humans?

No, giant house spiders aren’t dangerous at all because their venom is mild. It poses no risk or little risk to humans.

2. What should I do if I experience severe symptoms from a giant house spider bite?

Seek medical attention if you experience very severe symptoms like intense pain or an infected bite area.

3. How can I prevent giant house spiders from entering my home?

Controlling them involves pest control services, sealing cracks, and frequent removal of their webs.

Let Experts Help You!

If you have noticed spiders in your home and don’t know what to do, let a professional help you. Safe Pest Sol are one of best pest controllers, who exactly know how to keep you protected from pests. So, connect with us today!