Do Yellow Sac Spiders Have Poisonous or Venomous Bites in Pittsburgh, PA?

The yellow sac spider, or also known as the long legged sac spider, is mostly a garden spider that prefers to live in leaves, mulch and yard debris. However, the spider often gets carried inside our homes on the pants of homeowners or even our pets. Occasionally they wander indoors in search of food. Stewart Termite & Pest Control will help homeowners identify these yellow sac spiders and how spider control can help keep these creepy crawlies out of your home.

What Do Yellow Sac Spiders Look Like?

Yellow sac spiders have a smaller body than most other spiders. The body length of both the male and female yellow sac spider are the same. They range up to ¼ of an inch in length. They are commonly light yellow in color. However they do range from tan to grey in color as well. They have a dark lance shaped marking that runs down their abdomen.

Yellow Sac Spider Diet & Webs

Yellow sac spiders typically feed on other insects, but most often on other spiders. However if they become hungry enough, they will even feed on their own eggs. They hide in their web sac during the day and emerge at night to feed. Yellow sac spiders shed their skin and have a molting stage where they will remain in their sacs during that time. They also mate and lay their egg inside their web sacks. Once a female yellow sac spider has found the site in which to build her web she will spend most of her life inside it.

Do Yellow Sac Spiders Have Poisonous or Venomous Bites?

It is often misstated that pests such as yellow sac spiders are poisonous. It is the method of delivery that determines whether a pest is poisonous or venomous. If the toxin is eaten or absorbed through the skin via touch for example, it is a poison but if the toxin is actively injected, such as via a spider bite, then it’s a venom. Yellow sac spiders prefer to stay outside, but their have been times when one has been found inside and there are reported cases where people have been bitten. Bites from yellow sac spiders are often misidentified as brown recluse spider bites. Bites from both species of spiders are venomous and rather painless but can have some serious side effects. The symptoms and development of the wound from a yellow sac spider bite are quite the same as a brown recluse but less severe. Medical care is needed in the event a bite has occurred. There aren’t very many studies that show the exact effects of these bites but the studies that have been reported have resulted in some allergic reactions and headaches along with some nerve damage.

Yellow Sac Spider Prevention

Spider prevention starts with sealing cracks and holes so spiders can’t wander through those cracks. Also examine doors and windows for any gaps they can crawl through as well. Replace weather stripping on windows and doors if there are any gaps found. Professional pest control companies can establish a barrier to prevent spiders from crossing into your home. Yellow sac spiders normally will stay outside near trees and bushes. If you’re outside you may want to keep an eye out for these spiders and make sure they are not too close to your home where children may get bitten.

Spider Control

Spider control, especially when it comes to venomous spiders, should be taken seriously. Spiders will always find their way into our home and buildings regardless of our best efforts to keep them out. However with the joint effort of a professional pest control company, your home and yard can be spider free. Stewart Termite & Pest Control can help provide a pest control program that can help fight against spiders, along with any other pest found crawling around your home or business. If you’re in need of a pest management program, contact Stewart Termite & Pest Control today.