There are a lot of things to love about Michigan, from the beautiful lakes and forests to the friendly people. It’s not just humans that like it here, but also wildlife. However, we’re not talking about deer or foxes. No, we’re talking about Michigan house spiders.

While many people hate spiders, they’re mostly harmless. However, there are a couple of species that are poisonous and can leave a painful bite. To help you identify which spiders are dangerous, here’s a list of the most common spiders in Michigan.

American House Spider 

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to guess that the American House Spider (parasteatoda tepidariorum) is a spider commonly found in American homes. In fact, it’s the most common of all spiders in and outside of Michigan. These spiders are only around 0.24” long and black or brown with a bulb-shaped abdomen. 

These spiders are small and will probably hide if you get close. While poisonous, their bite is harmless to humans. If you find one in your house, they won’t disturb you and like to eat up other critters that might. 

Wolf Spider 

Wolf Spiders (lycosidae) is another one of the most common spiders in America. Though Wolf Spiders have eight (8) eyes, you’ll likely only see the two large ones near above the mouth. And you probably won’t see this spider near a web because they are wanderers by nature. 

They prefer to chase down their prey rather than form webs. Though wolf spiders can release venom, they typically don’t, even when they bite. They are not considered dangerous to humans. 

Black Widow 

Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus) is probably the most recognizable spider on the planet owing to the red-shaped hourglass on the female widow. While these spiders are 15 times more venomous than a rattlesnake, they are non-aggressive and only bite defensively. Black Widows rarely bite humans. 

Black widows prefer dimly lit locations, such as basements, closets, and cluttered areas. They dislike moisture and prefer dry areas. In the rare event you do get bit, seek immediate medical attention. 

Spitting Spider 

Spitting Spiders (Scytodidae) prefer cool and dry places, making your basement a likely hangout spot for this arachnid. While most spiders have eight (8) eyes, these long white spiders only have six (6). 

They’re called “spitting” spiders because their silk comes from their fangs, unlike most spiders. Don’t worry, a Spitting Spider’s fangs aren’t hard enough to penetrate the skin, so they won’t hurt you. 

This is a list of some of the most common Michigan house spiders. These spiders can make their way into your home during the winter, but in most cases, house spiders are not something to worry about. If you are concerned with the spiders in and around your house, contact the pest control specialists at Van Den Berge Pest Control at 616-392-7367.