Are their poison spiders in Michigan?

Question

I live in michigan and think I might have found a Tiny Brown Recluse but I don't know... are their even poison spiders in Michigan?

Answer 1

Just the black widow, and possibly long legged sac spiders.  Long legged sac spiders do have necrotic venom, like the brown recluse, but they are not as potent and not common.

Black widows like dark, dry, undisturbed areas such as sheds or attics.  They are also awkward out of their web, so if you keep an eye out and not stick your hand in corners that have not been touched in years without looking first, you'll be fine.

Brown recluses don't naturally get that far up, but they have been confirmed to have been found in Michigan by a specialist *once*.  They do get shipped around in boxes occasionaly.

Also, the daddy long legs spider, also called the cellar spider so it isn't confused with the harvestman or crane fly, doesn't have potent venom, and it can bite you.  Adam was bitten by one in Mythbusters and reported a "brief burning sensation".

Answer 2

TC C stole my thunder, everything he said about the daddy long legs spider is true.

Answer 3

All spiders are venomous but there are only a few that are dangerous.  Brown recluse aren't native but they could easily be transported in boxes so I would rule it out.  Brown recluse are usually very small.

Black widows live there and are probably common.

Answer 4

There are no venomous spiders that have Michigan as a naturaul habitat, however, a brown recluse, or any other venomous spider found in any region within the United States can easily find it's way into the state through several methods of transport without notice.

When I served in the Marines, I was stationed in North Carolina where Brown Recluses are common. I went on leave after getting biten by a Brown Recluse in my barracks room where we had a pest problem with Brown Recluses at the time. When I went on leave, a Brown Recluse somehow made it's way into my luggage, and when I got to my brothers house, it made itself a new home in his apartment.

So it is possible you may have found some, or it could be a mistaken idendity for some common species of spiders in Michigan.

Here's some links that may clear things up for you.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=...

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...

BTW: Brown Recluse aren't necessarly poisonous, but they do inject a mild acid into thier victims body that slowley eats away your flesh, it's an easy thing for doctors to fix, so if you're ever biten by one, there's no need to panic.

Answer 5

i dont think there is. its possible they moved from the south to the north.

Answer 6

Of course there are. But not as many as in warm weather states. Also, poisonous is a wide term. If you mean are there killer ones, well, probably only in zoos and private collects (although I am sure some escape each year). Most spider bites just irritate the skin of people to various degrees. Rare are those that can cause death, usually in people with specific respiratory illnesses or rare allergies.  So do not think one is waiting under your bed...tonight...and will only come out when the lights turn off...(yes, that mystery itch out of no where....)

Answer 7

yes there are a few but if you know where there are daddy long leg spiders make sure you dint have any cuts because they are the most poisonous spiders in the world but their fangs cant penetrate the skin