If you’ve seen large or small red spiders in your home or yard, you may be looking for more information about them. Here are some frequently asked questions about red spiders.
Are Red Spiders Harmful?
There are several species of spider that are red in color but most of them do not pose any threat to humans. Red house spiders and woodlouse spiders may bite if threatened but the amount of venom they can inject is not large enough to be a health concern. Unless you happen to be allergic to spider venom, red spiders are not harmful.
Red spiders can be harmful to plants, however. If you see small red spiders on your houseplants or in your garden, these are likely to be clover mites or red spider mites which are considered a pest and can damage a wide variety of plants.
What Kind of Spider is Red?
Seeing a red spider might be alarming but it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re dangerous. Common spiders that are red include:
- Clover mites
- Woodlouse spider
- Red house spider
- Hobo spiders
There are also spiders with red markings you might see, including:
- Jumping spider
- Black widow
Out of all of these spiders, the black widow is the only one that can potentially pose a danger to humans.
What Kills or Gets Rid of Red Spiders?
Spiders found inside a house can be trapped and released outside. To get rid of spiders, homemade or store bought insecticide sprays can kill them on contact. Outside, planting basil, mint and lavender can act as a deterrent for red spiders.
To get rid of red spider mites, frequent spraying of water onto plants, especially the underside of leaves can help to keep their population under control.
For red spider infestations, a professional pest control company can get rid of any spiders and visible webs and apply preventive barrier treatments to keep them out of the home.
Why Are There Red Spiders In My House?
Usually, red spiders live outside and may accidentally wander into your home. It’s not likely they will infest your home so remove any you find. To prevent red spiders from getting into your home, seal up any gaps or cracks in your building’s exterior and install tight-fitting door sweeps and window screens.
The exception is the clover mite which may infest your home in large numbers. These can be removed most effectively by vacuum cleaner as it won’t squash them. If crushed, these little mites leave a red mark which can stain upholstery and light colored surfaces.
Do Little Red Spiders Bite?
Little red spiders are probably clover mites. These tiny bugs are too small to bite and pose no risk to human or pet health. Even if you are bitten by a red spider, it’s unlikely to cause any issues. If you are bitten by a spider and experience dizziness, nausea, severe pain or difficulty breathing, contact a medical professional.
