Anyone know if black widow spiders are native to Michigan?

[progmom]

Yes yes, I know... Google is my friend. I don't want to look at the pictures that would most likely accompany any info about spiders on the web.

Thanks! :*

[Spinzonner]

1. Would it make a difference if they were illegal immigrants instead ?

[progmom]

2. now that is funny.

:spray: :rofl:

[parasim]

3. I think so...

I remember them as a kid growing up in the UP...

[jpgray]

4. MI has northern black widows

[progmom]

7. thanks, JP

I just killed one who was about to climb on my dog's nose. Then its corpse got lost in the tall grass in our backyard before I could make sure that's what it was.

[skygazer]

5. "spiders on the web"

Good one. :rofl:

[progmom]

6. thanks.

:)

[rateyes]

8. If they are...

better keep your hands out of dark, moist places without checking first! :)

Seriously, knew a guy who was bitten once by BWS...didn't kill him...paralyzed him for a while, tremendous pain...made him wish he was dead. Seen a few where I live. The brown recluse's bite is even worse. BTW, not at the same level, but all spider bites are venomous--not all deadly--but, all venomous.

Edit for typo.

[progmom]

9. .............

:cry: :scared: :cry:

[rateyes]

10. Hey, I was going to post a picture of one...

but, didn't out of courtesy to you! :7

[progmom]

13. thank you

:)

[Dave Reynolds]

11. Brown recluse,

I had one just last month on the front of my house. He did not get to stay there very long.

[progmom]

12. ugh.

:scared:

[Wcross]

16. I have recluse spiders

On the front of the house? That means all the territory inside the house is filled with his friends! RUN!
Seriously though, if it weren't for all the snakes in the house I would be over-run with brown recluse's!

[Dave Reynolds]

17. He has a lot of competition inside,

he ran his little tunnel from the wheel of my trash container to the front of the house.

There are so many spiders inside, and I have no idea where they are getting in.

[Wcross]

19. Time to call in a pro.

I have been thinking about it. You can kill the live spiders easy but the eggs will hatch more. Seems like the only recourse is repeated visits by the pest control company.

[Dave Reynolds]

20. I'm taking the coward's way out,

we are moving out Labor Day weekend. :thumbsup:

[rateyes]

14. Hey, I want to recommend a good movie for you

progmom..."Arachnophobia." Just kidding. :scared:

[rateyes]

15. Don't get bitten...because...

Envenomation Symptoms

Black Widow spiders - - painful rigidity of the abdominal wall muscles, tremors, nausea, vomiting, leg cramps, “tightness’” of chest, and rise of blood pressure. Severe cases are hallmarked by difficulty in breathing and unconsciousness, which may lead to death due to asphyxia preceded by convulsions. Fewer than 5 percent of people bitten by the black widow die.
For additional advice go to Widow Spider Envenomation : Medical information from eMedicine (Emergency Medicine topic).


Recluse spiders - - local reaction to envenom nation includes erythema, tenderness and bleb formation at the site of the bite, and later, ulceration appears which is very slow to heal. Typically the tissue dies and sloughs away leaving eschar. Complications include kidney damage associated with intravascular hemolysis. Prompt administration of corticosteroids is indicated. Systemic reactions include a stinging sensation followed by intense pain, fever, chills, nausea, weakness, restlessness or joint pain. These symptoms overlap with those of other medical conditions, please consult professional advice before making a conclusion unless you are sure of the identity of the recluse spider.

First-aid

Apply ice pack, house hold ammonia or alcohol directly to the bite area to relieve local swelling and pain. Apply tincture of iodine or other antiseptic to the site of the bite to prevent infection. Bed rest is indicated. If symptoms appear sever or in the neurotic envenomation of young children, the patient should be taken to a physician at once. Bring along the spider for identification, if possible, should antivenin be available. Antivenin is available to treat some widow spider bites.


http://members.tripod.com/~LouCaru/index-13.html

But, hey, these spiders are NOT aggressive. They will run from you, because they are more scared of you than you are (or should be) of them. Just don't corner one and make her feel threatened, and watch before you pick up wood, put your hands in boxes that haven't been opened, water meters, etc....

[HysteryDiagnosis]

18. Let me tell you about my spiders..... first off... I had one in a piece

of pipe in the back yard a couple of nights ago... secondly, there was one in the hose reel at work last week.... thirdly, there were some small ones inside the bulldozer I was under this week.

Then there was the place I used to work in Florida... and here are a few pics of my little friends.

[WCGreen]

21. No. they come north in Banana shipments.....

If you see a big hairy spider in your house or yard it is probably a wolf spider.....

Harmelss but scary

[In_The_Wind]

22. or in plants

shipped from Southern nurseries ...