All spiders listed on this page are indigenous to Illinois,
only three are poisonous, and only one having fatal results after a bite. The spiders listed below include
The Black House spider, Wolf spider, Brown Recluse, and the famous Black Widow.
Although not common in
northern Illinois, the Brown Recluse, can still be found in northern
Illinois, but primarily found in southern
Illinois. Most spider bites do not have negative effects on adult humans,
but if one should question the seriousness of the bite, then they should seek
help from trained medical personnel. Even if
the spider is dead or smashed it can still help in identifying what kind of spider bite it is. If it is a
serious bite, one should consider a tetanus shot.
The Wolf spider or Hogna Carolinesis is robust spider that can range in body size from 1 to 30mm. They have three rows of
eyes, eight eyes in total, carry their young on their backs, and are nocturnal. If found in the home, they can be found anywhere.
Wolf spiders will most likely inhabit windows, doors, near plants, garages and humid
basements. The wolf spider bite is venomous and will,
in most cases, cause serious pain, swelling and itchiness. If bitten, do not cover bite with band
a aid, the bite should be
with soap and warm water, and ice can be applied to reduce swelling. If young or elderly have been bitten medical
be sought immediately.
Black House Spider
The Black House spider or Badunma Insignis is a dark colored, robust spider that can get up to 30mm with leg span.
It can be generally found outdoors making its home on rough-barked trees. If they are found indoors, they will
most likely be found in corners, around windows, toilets, and doorways. They will choose any place in a home that has a good light
source, which will attract their food source. Black House spider bites are not fatal, but are venomous. If bitten, the area
around the bite will become swollen and a person will feel local pain associated with the bite. Some more
serious cases have been reported of nausea,
vomiting, sweating and giddiness. Very few cases have been reported of necrosis or skin lesions after
The Brown Recluse or Loxosceles Reclusa can grow to be 6 to 20mm, are brown in color and have markings on the underside of its
abdomen that look like a violin, hence the spiders nick names fiddleback spider, brown fiddler, or violin spider. The spider usually
makes it home in rotting wood or bark. They make their way into houses because they hunt at night and the
artificial light attracts its
prey. If found in the home, they will most likely be inside dressers, shoes, bed
sheets, stack or piles of clothes, behind baseboards, pictures, or in cardboard boxes. The brown recluse's bite is venomous but rarely is fatal. The bite can cause lesions and in
some cases necrosis. The bite has been known to kill children under 7 or people with weaker then normal immune systems by causing
systemic, eventually leading to organs shutting down. The initial bite is not
painful, in fact you may not know you were bitten. After
2 to 8 hours have passed, the bite will become painful and itchy, 12 to 36 hours the pain will increase and necrosis may
the bite area.
The Black Widow or Latrodectus Mactans can grow to 38mm
long (female), the males are 1/3 of the females size. The females are the
ones with the famous hour glass shape on the underside of the abdomen, while the males are just black. If found indoors,
generally, they will be
found in shoes, attics, basements and garages. This spiders bite can be very
fatal, but only if bitten by the female and will
generally only be fatal to the young, elderly and non-healthy. If a healthy human is bitten, most likely the victim will just
a great deal of discomfort, but the wound should still be treated.