Spider identification

Spider Identification charts like this are very common in the industry. They can help but some of the spiders such as the Hobo and Grass spider are so similar even scientist have difficulty doing a positive I.D. and as with that example to be certain they have to get them under a microscope and look at the genitals which is, I know, a TMI situation to be sure.

The other problem is we are seeing some species change coloring. I was in a class on spiders last year pointing out how Black Widows in North America are actually changing some of the their coloring.

Spiders grow and change as they become larger. Their average life span is a year and a half to two years. But we change this life cycle by creating false environments with our heating and air conditioning systems.

With all of this in mind before you start pouring over spider I.D. Charts, remember that if you are bitten you need to see a doctor. We discussed several times the bacteria element of a spider bite and we know that everyone reacts differently to spider bites. There can be an allergic reaction for one person and not for another.

Here are some spider I.D. Charts:

Spider identification in general.

Poisonous spider identification and treatment.

The information can be intimidating. Please don't become paranoid about a possible Hobo spider or even the Black Widow. Yes, both can be a threat to our health if we allow them to bite us, but it is amazing how you can go under an old house and find both of these spiders in abundance, indicating they have been there for generations, yet no one in the house has even seen a spider.

Spiders will be near food sources such as fly and mosquito areas, doing what they were designed to do, limit the insect population. It is not necessary to hunt spiders down and kill them because they could cause a threat, that would be like getting rid of cars because they can hit a person, you need to respect where they are and if they are in a position to create a dangerous human encounter. Such as under your dresser or a shop bench. But if they are outside in an environment children and adults will not encounter, they are simply doing an important job.