These Are The Most Dangerous and Deadly Spiders In Texas

When it comes to spiders in Texas, we have a lot. We have a ton of different types of spiders and they all range in size from tiny to actually, very large which can be intimidating to some people when you see them.

The good news is that most spiders that you come across in the Lone Star State are pretty harmless. Even if you do get bitten, most spiders here are non-venomous, which is great news and hopefully brings you some comfort if you hate all spiders.

The Most Dangerous Spiders In Texas

Having said all of that. Texas is home to two types of spiders that are dangerous and even deadly. They are the only two spiders in Texas that are venomous according to the Texas Health and Human Services website.

The first is probably one of the most well-known spiders. The Black Widow spider. When people think black widow, they normally think about the female spider. She's the one that is black in color with a "reddish or yellowish" hourglass on the underside of the abdomen. According to Texas HHS, the male black widow is generally smaller brown and "non-descript".

The venom from a black widow bite can lead to severe reactions. The worst reactions typically occur in children and older adults. In rare cases, a bite from a black widow can lead to death.

Black widow spiders are non-aggressive but will bite when trapped, disturbed, or threated. They can often be found in areas they are for the most part, left alone. Woodpiles, boxes, meter boxes, underneath eaves are just some places you will find them.

The second spider to know about when it comes to dangerous spiders in the Lone Star State is the Brown Recluse. These spiders are "golden brown in color and can be identified by the characteristic dark brown to black fiddle-shaped pattern on the head region". The venom from a brown recluse has "necrotizing enzymes" that can cause local or systemic reactions according to Texas HHS. These spiders can be found in basements and garages, hiding in dark areas, even hiding between clothing and towels in areas that don't get a lot of traffic.

What Happens If You Are Bitten by a Black Widow or Brown Recluse?

If bitten, don't panic. Depending on where you were bitten could mean a different reaction. Other factors include the amount of venom injected, the bite victim's age, depth of bite and more. In some cases a bite feels like a pin-prick, in other cases you may not feel it. Below are just some of the symptoms of being bitten.

General Black Widow Spider Envenomization Symptoms

• abdominal cramping
•  abdominal rigidity
• convulsions
• headache
• lesion at site of bite
• nausea
• pain
• profuse sweating
• tremors
• unconsciousness
• vomiting

General Brown Recluse Spider Envenomization Symptoms

• chills
• fever
• nausea
• necrosis at the bite site
• nothing
• red white and blue lesion at the bite site
• restlessness
• weakness

If bitten, try and capture the spider. Wash the area of the bite as well and contact the Texas Poison Center (1-800-222-1222) or the family doctor. In severe cases, the victim may have to be hospitalized.

For more information, visit the Texas Health and Human Services website.