Are There Venomous Spiders in Maryland and Virginia?

Last updated: 9/21/2021
Estimated read time: 6 minutes
Wondering about what venomous spiders can be found in Maryland and Virginia? Have no fear — the spider experts at BOG Pest Control can help answer your questions.

While it’s common (and totally normal) to be afraid of spiders, it’s important to know that most spiders won’t hurt you — they’re some of the most hardworking pests. Spiders play a crucial role in controlling other insects around your home. Even though there are benefits to having spiders around your home, chances are you still don’t want them anywhere near your sacred space — understandably so!

Harmful Spiders Found in Maryland

Luckily for us, there aren’t many venomous spiders in our area that pose an active threat to our health and safety. However, while most spiders in this area are not venomous, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other types that can cause harm to you if you get bitten.

• Black widow spiders
• Brown recluse spiders
• Wolf spiders

While most of these spiders aren’t extremely common, and we don’t see many cases of them, they have been spotted in homes throughout Maryland and Virginia, and it’s important to distinguish them if needed.

Black widow spiders are the most common venomous spiders in our area, but they tend to stay outdoors in their webs. These spiders are the only ones native to Maryland and Virginia that can cause serious harm. They are around a half-inch long, with the female black widow’s coloring normally a shiny black with a red hourglass marking on its underside. However, the marking on the underside can range from an hourglass to a dot and a yellowish-orange to a bright red. To be safe, stay away from a red and black spider in Maryland!

Black Widow Spider Bites

The black widow can inflict a painful bite that may end up being deadly to the young, elderly, and immunocompromised. However, only a small amount of venom can cause serious illness, with symptoms including:

• Muscle cramps and spasms starting near the bite, spreading in severity for six to 12 hours
• Chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting
• Headache
• Restlessness, shock, or stupor
• Severe high blood pressure
• Sweating
• Severe stomach, back, or chest pain

If you or a loved one experiences these symptoms after being bitten by a spider, please call your doctor, hospital, or poison control center and follow their directions. Black widow spider bites are very dangerous and should lead to an immediate doctor’s visit as well as a call to a pest control company for safe removal.

While the brown recluse isn’t native to our area, there have been a few rare instances one has taken a ride on packages from the midwest and southeast, where the recluse is all-too-common.

Make sure to check your luggage and packages after traveling, but luckily, we don’t need to worry about the poisonous brown recluse spider in Maryland or Virginia.

Wolf Spiders in Maryland

Wolf spiders are not very venomous, but their bites can be very painful and cause moderate itching. Wolf spiders appear furry with brown coloring and are usually a couple of inches when fully grown. They typically stay outside but look to come indoors in late fall when it starts to get chilly out.

Wolf spiders do not pose a large concern for residents in Maryland or Virginia unless the person bitten has allergies that may cause a reaction. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and seek medical attention.