The woodlouse spider is one of the more unique spiders that exist in the world today. Not only do they hunt without a web, but they exclusively eat woodlice. This spider comes with a variety of different names, like sowbug or pillbug, but these names are related to the bugs that the spider exclusively hunts for food. Do you have a spider bite that you’re wondering could have come from a woodlouse spider? Here’s how to determine if you have a woodlouse spider bite:
Do you have a lot of itchiness at the bite site?
A woodlouse spider bite is not an event that you could ignore. It can be quite painful when the spider bites and the bites are venomous. With that being said, however, the venom from the woodlouse spider is not very harmful to humans. Those who have been bit by a woodlouse spider report itchiness at the bite site and a higher level of inflammation than normal. These can often be treated with over the counter products.
Where do you believe that you were bitten?
It is common to find woodlouse spiders in homes because they love to rest in hidden crevices. They will create a silk-like enclosure that will help to protect them during the day, and then hunt at night. If you happen to have an exposed body part come near one of these spiders, especially while they are at rest, they have been known to bite in these circumstances.
Do you have a lot of rotting wood around your property?
Though the most popular place to find woodlouse spiders is in the temperate portions of Europe, Asia, and Australia, they can be found on all six of the populated continents. A common place to find them is in rotting wood that can be found around your home or property. This could be decks, porches, or even in trees that have died or are near death around your property. To prevent a woodlouse spider bite, limit your skin exposure around these areas.
Did the spider that bit you look like a brown recluse
Many people get scared when they are bit by the woodlouse spider because the spider is very similar in appearance to the brown recluse, whose venom can be quite dangerous. The fangs on the woodlouse are quite large and can penetrate deeply into the skin, which is why the bite can be so painful, but the venom is lackluster at best and won’t create the rotting, infectious conditions that a brown recluse bite will create. Look for orange legs – that’s the telltale sign that you’ve got a woodlouse spider.
A woodlouse spider bite can often be treated at home. If your spider bite is extremely painful, does not get better over the period of a few days, or has an ulcerous sore that develops, then seeking medical treatment should become a priority at that point.