TACOMA — You’ve probably come across more spiders or have even walked straight into spider webs recently, and that’s because the spider season in Western Washington has begun. Well, kind of.
Although spiders are common in Washington, spider activity is more prevalent during August and September for a couple of species, making them more noticeable. This leads people to believe there are more spiders than there actually are.
The most common spiders seen during this time are known as giant house spiders and cross orb weaver spiders, which live outdoors, according to Rod Crawford, curator of arachnids at the University of Washington and curatorial associate at the Burke Museum.
“Considering spiders as a whole, its not spider season, but considering (giant house spiders and cross orb weavers), the ones that people actually notice, it is their season,” Crawford said in an interview during the 2023 season.
Giant house spiders are more commonly seen in August and September because males become sexually mature during this time and are roaming around trying to find a female giant house spider to mate with. Luckily, this onset of spider sightings will only last through the end of September.
The giant house spider can grow to have a body length of 1 inch with its legs growing up to 4 inches long. Its long legs make the spider appear large in size (hence the name) which might instill fear in some people, but in reality, these spiders are harmless.
Crawford told The News Tribune that most of the spiders in Western Washington are harmless and they couldn’t hurt you even if they wanted to.
Other common spiders found in WA homes
- Long-bodied cellar spider
The long-bodied cellar spider or what is commonly called “daddy long legs” because of their leg length is a type of common house spider. These spiders create spider webs in the corners of ceilings and are not harmful to humans.
False black widows are common house spiders in Western Washington. They get their name due to the many people mistaking them for true black widows. A false black widow is easy to distinguish from a true black widow because it is a dark brown and purple color and does not have a red marking on its abdomen. These too are harmless.
American house spiders are also very common and harmless. They have a widow-like shape and are a light brown and gray color.
Less common spiders in state
Black widows are more common in Eastern Washington, but small populations of black widow spiders can still be found in Western Washington. Black widows are completely black and have a red mark that resembles an hourglass on their abdomen. These spiders can be found in dark, undisturbed areas. It’s a good argument for keeping your house clean and vacuuming behind the couch.
These spiders are one of the only problematic spiders in Western Washington since a bite from a black widow can cause serious symptoms such as severe muscle pain. Seeking medical attention is highly advised if bitten by one.
Yellow sac spiders are also more common in Eastern Washington, but can still be found in the Seattle area. Yellow sac spiders can be yellow, white or green with darker legs and abdomen. These spiders mainly live outdoors in garden, but will travel inside during cold temperatures and are known to build sac-shaped webs in corners or ceilings.
Yellow sac spiders tend to be more aggressive, but a bite from one, although painful, is harmless unless the person is allergic.
Benefits of having spiders
Although you might be trained to think that spiders are out to get you, that isn’t actually true, and having house spiders around could actually be beneficial. Spiders do not prey on humans, they are actually the leading predator of thousands of insects. House spiders are no different as they prey on the insects inside of your home. These insects include:
- House flies
- Fleas
- Bed bugs
- Carpet beetles
- Clothes moths
Common places to find house spiders
You might think that the spiders you are encountering are coming in from outside, but they actually already live inside of your home.
House spiders can be found in various places in homes including basements, crawl spaces, wall/floor voids and storage rooms.
A good approach is to get a vacuum cleaner and clean in corners, crevices, windowsills, as well as behind and under furniture.
Another thing you can do to keep spiders from going into common areas is to seal up all the holes and cracks that lead into them.
Spider bites and when to seek medical attention
You might be happy to know that spider bites are actually very rare and in the instance that a house spider bites you, its small dose of toxins will not harm you.
A spider bite will cause a small red bump that is no bigger than a mosquito bite. Doctors advise to clean the bite with hot soap and water to keep the wound from getting infected. The red bump should disappear in 1-2 days.
If the bite doesn’t heal within two days and it begins to look more like a blister, seek medical attention.
Allergic reaction to spider bites
It is possible for people to have an allergic reaction to a spider bite including anaphylactic shock, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of these anaphylaxis symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Face or mouth swelling
- Difficulty swallowing and breathing
- Fainting or lightheadedness
- Abdominal pain or vomiting
- Rash or flushing
