Spiders Found in Maryland: If you live in Maryland, at one point or another, you’ve probably had to deal with spiders. For some people, spiders are just an annoyance; for others, they’re fascinating; and of course, some have arachnophobia! If that’s the case, this article is not for you!
The common types of spiders found in Maryland are Black Widow, Jumping spider and Hobo spiders. Out of these three, the Black Widow is the only one that is considered dangerous because it has venom, which can cause muscle aches, nausea, breathing difficulties, and death if not treated quickly enough.
These bites may also require surgery depending on how bad it gets, so make sure to contact your doctor if something happens! We have created a list of the top 8 most commonly seen spiders in Maryland for your convenience. Are you familiar with any of these?
Table of Contents
The 8 Most Common Spiders Found in Maryland:
1. Black Widow Spider
Species: | L. Hesperus |
Longevity: | 1 – 3 years |
Good to own as a pet?: | No |
Legal to own?: | Yes |
Adult size: | ¼ inch |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
The Dark Widow’s size makes it seems to be an apple seed. It has a gleaming and dark body with a red hourglass shape on the underside of the females and no example on the guys. They are found in thickly populated regions like heaps of wood and sheds.
However they are more normal in warm environments, they have had the option to adjust to cold temperatures. Despite its poisonous nature, the black widow spider is still kept as a pet by some individuals due to its lack of aggression and ease of taming. If bitten by this kind of spider, 10% of people will experience severe reactions, according to research. However, if you experience symptoms like muscle aches, weakness, nausea, abdominal cramps, and difficulty breathing, you should see a doctor right away.
2. Dark Fishing Spider
Species: | D. tenebrosus |
Longevity: | 1 – 2 years |
Good to own as a pet?: | Yes |
Legal to own?: | Yes |
Adult size: | 2 – 3 inches |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Both North America and Eurasia are home to the Dark Fishing Spider. This dark-colored spider can reach a total length of 4 inches and has orange and black stripes on its upper body.
They are all the more frequently found close to enormous waterways like streams, lakes, or lakes. The bug will sit tight for prey, including flying bugs like wasps, honey bees, dragonflies, scarabs, and different insects that are more modest than themselves.
This bug hangs out by the water’s edge, sitting tight for prey where it lies on pause for clueless bugs prior to jumping out at them from submerged. The spider is known to consume human-pesting insects like mosquitoes in North America.
3. Hobo Spider
Species: | E. agrestis |
Longevity: | 1 – 2 years |
Good to own as a pet?: | Yes |
Legal to own?: | Yes |
Adult size: | ½ inch |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
The Hobo Spider is considered an invasive species in the United States, and it’s one of the most poisonous spiders. It is found in most of the United States as well as Europe. Unlike other spider species, Hobo Spiders are active during the day when they hang under rocks, logs, bark, and lawn clutter.
They also prefer to live near humans, so if you see them, you may want to treat them with caution because there have been numerous reports of Spider bites causing severe reactions and even death.
The Hobo Spider is not known to attack humans unless provoked, so you can reduce the risk of being bitten by gloves, boots, and long pants. It is also advised that you don’t crush these Spiders if you see them because they release a pheromone that will attract other Spiderlings.
4. Wolf Spider
Species: | Lycosidae |
Longevity: | 1 year |
Good to own as a pet?: | Yes |
Legal to own?: | Yes |
Adult size: | 1 inch |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
It is a type of spider that hunts at night and is often found on low shrubs or grass in Maryland. They are primarily black with white joints, and they have two large eyes at the front of their faces. Wolf Spiders are non-aggressive but will bite if provoked or trapped against the skin (like if you accidentally sit on one).
Wolf Spider bites are usually no more severe than a bee sting, so there is no need to worry, but you should keep your fingernails trimmed short to avoid any potential Spider bites.
Wolf Spider bites are not life-threatening unless you happen to be allergic, but they can produce symptoms such as muscle aches, weakness, nausea, abdominal cramps, and breathing issues. Spider bites from the Wolf Spider can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines and antibiotics, but there are natural remedies that you can use as well.
5. House Spider
Species: | Parasteatoda |
Longevity: | 1 – 2 years |
Good to own as a pet?: | Yes |
Legal to own?: | Yes |
Adult size: | 5/16 inch |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
The House Spider is about ¼-inch to ½-inch in size and is typically brown with yellow, orange, or white markings on its abdomen. Their webs will be found in corners of windows and doors outside where they most often stay during day hours. The House Spider’s bite does not usually produce more than localized swelling.
The House Spider is not as dangerous as some other spider species because it doesn’t have a venom that can be fatal for humans. Bites from the House Spider are usually not more than mild to moderate pain.
6. Yellow House Spider
Species: | Cheiracanthiidae |
Longevity: | 1 – 2 years |
Good to own as a pet?: | Yes |
Legal to own?: | Yes |
Adult size: | ¼ inch |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
The spider is named for its coloring and generally lives in homes. The spider has a yellow coloration of the abdomen and will have white spots on it. Spider bites from the Yellow House Spider are not fatal, but they can produce localized swelling and pain symptoms. Over-the-counter antihistamines and antibiotics should deal with spider bites from the House Spider, but you may also use natural remedies.
7. Cobweb Spider
Species: | S. triangulosa |
Longevity: | 1 – 3 years |
Good to own as a pet?: | Yes |
Legal to own?: | Yes |
Adult size: | ¼ inch |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
The spider is named for its spinning of spider webs which are commonly found inside Maryland homes. Over-the-counter antihistamines and antibiotics should deal with spider bites from the Cobweb Spider, but natural remedies may also be used.
8. Jumping Spider
Species: | Salticidae |
Longevity: | 1 year |
Good to own as a pet?: | Yes |
Legal to own?: | Yes |
Adult size: | ½ inch |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
The Jumping Spider is mainly found in the United States and parts of Asia. Large Spiderlings resemble ants because of their small size (1/8 inch) and brown coloration. They are common Spiderlings found in Maryland homes. There were two reported cases where Jumping Spiders bit people, so they are not considered dangerous. But they do have urticating hair that can cause itching and rashes if it is touched.
How Many Species of Spiders Are In Maryland?
There are 29 varieties of spiders found in Maryland. But only 14 of them are considered to be dangerous, some even deadly. Spider bites have a history of causing necrosis, which is the loss and death of cells. Spider bites generally cause swelling, pain, redness, and itching at the bite site.
Where Are Black Widow Spiders in Maryland?
In Maryland, the Dark Widow Bug can be tracked down all around the state. They can be found in urban, agricultural, and residential environments. They are likewise every now and again tracked down in forests. This bug is known to live in trees, logs, and, surprisingly, under rocks. It is an astounding climber yet can’t bounce like different sorts of bugs do.
Conclusion
You’ll track down different bugs in Maryland, and they all have various natural surroundings, appearances, and diets. In any case, which is the most perilous? The Dark Widow Insect has toxin that can make demise people assuming it enters the circulation system or tissue encompassing nerves.
Maykon Alvarenga is a seasoned pet care expert with over 8 years of experience in the field. He holds a Master’s degree in Veterinary Science, specializing in small animal care. His passion for pets is reflected in his work on PetsBent.com, where he shares valuable insights on pet health, behavior, and training. Maykon is dedicated to helping pet owners provide the best care for their furry friends. Connect with him on Instagram at @maykon.alvarenga for more tips and updates.