WARNING: Most Dangerous Spiders To Watch Out For In Illinois
When it comes to spine-chilling encounters, Illinois doesn’t disappoint with its lineup of creepy crawlers. Here’s a closer look at the two most dangerous spiders you might accidentally meet while minding your own business.
I HATE SPIDERS!
Last week, I had the pleasure of walking face-first into a spiderweb that clearly took the spider all night to construct. In that split second, I became a flailing ninja, swatting at invisible enemies, while the spider probably watched from a distance, laughing and planning its next masterpiece.
The arachnid family members of most concern in Illinois besides the two spiders below, are the extremely rare venomous striped bark scorpion, the larvae of the Chigger mite, and ticks,
According to the University of Illinois Division of Research Safety, these are the two most dangerous arachnids throughout Illinois.
MORE: 28 Things People of Illinois Look Forward To Most In the Fall
Brown Recluse: The Hermit You Don’t Want to Meet
Meet the Brown Recluse, the antisocial spider that thinks it’s way cooler than it is. This eight-legged nightmare loves to hide in your shoes, closets, and any dark, cozy corner you thought was safe.
Its venom can cause a flesh-eating wound that might make you consider replacing a limb. No biggie! With a web design that screams “minimalist chic,” it spins chaotic, irregular webs as if it’s too busy ruining your day to care about symmetry. You’ll find these artistic masterpieces in woodpiles, basements, and garages—basically, anywhere you’ve avoided cleaning for the last six months.
MORE: Illinois Pizzerias With The Highest Scores From Dave Portnoy's One Bite Reviews
Black Widow: The Femme Fatale of Your Nightmares
Next up is the Black Widow, a spider so notorious it’s practically a celebrity. With its shiny black body and iconic red hourglass, it’s the definition of “look but don’t touch.”
A bite from this beauty delivers a neurotoxin that might make you feel like you’re dying—but hey, it’s all part of the experience, right?
Her webs are an absolute mess, resembling a tangled ball of yarn thrown by a toddler. You can find her work in dark, undisturbed places like sheds, crawl spaces, and any spot you never bothered to check because you were too busy living your life.
So, next time you’re rummaging through the attic or cleaning out the garage, remember: you might be intruding on one of these spiders’ artistic spaces.
Happy cleaning!
MORE: 5 of The Biggest & Best Corn Mazes in Illinois