Well in MN we need to be cautious of spiders generally because our climate between spring and fall is conducive to venomous spiders of all kinds, both native and invasive. Natively we have black widows, northern widows, brown recluses, wolf spiders, jumping spiders, woodlouse spiders, and many more. Climate change is expected to increase the range of black widows in our state, one of the most venomous spiders in the US. We’re going to experience severe dry and wet seasons, so I expect imports and exports through the great lakes see a massive increase in dnr presence. I hope Walz follows through after our elections.
Just FYI, wolf spider and brown recluse bites are not dangerous, they’ll basically cause itching and maybe give you a rash, and black widow venom is nowhere near as bad as stories would have you believe. The symptoms are by no means pleasant, and they are easily treatable within 72 hours. You’ll know you need treatment well before then.
Jumping spiders and woodlouse spiders don’t tend to be a danger either.
These are also all spiders who want to get away from humans as quickly as possible, so they don’t want to bite you, they only do it if they have no alternative. Really, the main reason to worry is if you have allergy issues. But that’s also true with bees and wasps for some people.
I’m from the wet side of the PNW and we have all of those as well, excepting possibly northern widows, I’ve not heard of those.
I’ve spent weeks in cabins and lived in houses and apartments all over WA.
Every single time I have ever seen a spider in a house or apartment, its been something that is totally harmless to humans.
Out in the boonies? Sure, thats where you’ll actually run into some dangerous things.
That being said, I’ve never lived in MN, perhaps dangerous spiders are a more serious threat in urban/suburban areas, and yeah, climate change fucks up everything.
Something absolutely absurd started happening a few years ago, right in the middle of Seattle, like 2 blocks from a main road:
Coyotes.
I’ve seen coyotes out in the foothills occasionally, on trails far from cities, in the brush on the east side of the state.
But… basically that heat wave a few years back, and wildfires and droughts managed to drive a population of coyotes into residential areas of Seattle, likely hunting the rabbits.
I saw them in L.A. occasionally coming down from the hills. I’m far less concerned about urban coyotes than I am about feral dog packs. The latter is much more likely to attack you.
Well in MN we need to be cautious of spiders generally because our climate between spring and fall is conducive to venomous spiders of all kinds, both native and invasive. Natively we have black widows, northern widows, brown recluses, wolf spiders, jumping spiders, woodlouse spiders, and many more. Climate change is expected to increase the range of black widows in our state, one of the most venomous spiders in the US. We’re going to experience severe dry and wet seasons, so I expect imports and exports through the great lakes see a massive increase in dnr presence. I hope Walz follows through after our elections.
Just FYI, wolf spider and brown recluse bites are not dangerous, they’ll basically cause itching and maybe give you a rash, and black widow venom is nowhere near as bad as stories would have you believe. The symptoms are by no means pleasant, and they are easily treatable within 72 hours. You’ll know you need treatment well before then.
Jumping spiders and woodlouse spiders don’t tend to be a danger either.
These are also all spiders who want to get away from humans as quickly as possible, so they don’t want to bite you, they only do it if they have no alternative. Really, the main reason to worry is if you have allergy issues. But that’s also true with bees and wasps for some people.
I’m from the wet side of the PNW and we have all of those as well, excepting possibly northern widows, I’ve not heard of those.
I’ve spent weeks in cabins and lived in houses and apartments all over WA.
Every single time I have ever seen a spider in a house or apartment, its been something that is totally harmless to humans.
Out in the boonies? Sure, thats where you’ll actually run into some dangerous things.
That being said, I’ve never lived in MN, perhaps dangerous spiders are a more serious threat in urban/suburban areas, and yeah, climate change fucks up everything.
Something absolutely absurd started happening a few years ago, right in the middle of Seattle, like 2 blocks from a main road:
Coyotes.
I’ve seen coyotes out in the foothills occasionally, on trails far from cities, in the brush on the east side of the state.
But… basically that heat wave a few years back, and wildfires and droughts managed to drive a population of coyotes into residential areas of Seattle, likely hunting the rabbits.
That was pretty stunning to me.
I saw them in L.A. occasionally coming down from the hills. I’m far less concerned about urban coyotes than I am about feral dog packs. The latter is much more likely to attack you.
[screaming in arachnophobe]
Remind me never to visit MN
Spiders here mostly keep to themselves, and mostly well away.
Historically, our winters have kept critters small.
It’s the GOP you need to be worried about. Those fuckers will infect you with their crazy and then suck your blood dry.
(We also brought you the guy who thought schools were accommodating furies with kitty litter.)