Why Do Spiders Bite Humans?

[ClaryS]

I used to just leave spiders alone in the house or put them outside until recently when I was bitten on the leg by what the doctor said was a spider, probably while I was asleep. Anyway it went septic and took weeks to heal, in fact three months later and I still have two angry looking red spots on my ankle. So, why do they bite humans? it can't be to try and immobilise the human to eat it as they do with anything caught in their web, no spider would be that optimistic surely? its not to feed on the blood like a mosquito (is it?). Now any spider found in the house does not get a first class ticket outside in a glass, they get a white knuckle ride down the toilet or plug hole. So, why do spiders bite humans?

[Zacs-Master]

I would image they only do this in desperation. It's possible the spider was on your leg and you moved, possibly squashing it, and it bit you in defence.

[Tilly2]

It's not a common occurrence is it? Any bites will be of a defensive nature. Spiders do not try to eat humans.

[Baby_Sham]

Self defense.

I can highly recommend a large can of hairspray. They do go crazy for a few seconds, and start jumping all over the place, but it kinda de-mobolises then so you are able to pick them up and throw them out... or stamp on them. Either or.

[Baldric]

Because they can?

[Zacs-Master]

I usually pick them up in a big bunched up bit of toilet paper and place them out of the window in the hope they survive. We had one which was a good five inches from front to back legs in the bedroom a few days ago.

[ClaryS]

hi Tilly, is it a common occurrence? well the doctor seemed to think so, said if not monitored could lead to sepsis or ulceration. Must admit I've taken loads of spiders outside in my hand and never been bitten. Never again though, I had two minute bites side by side like a little snakebite and my whole ankle swelled up .

[ClaryS]

Baby_Sham lol! yes I 'elnetted' a huge one that had installed itself in the corner of the bedroom ceiling . Purely in advance self-defence as the thought of it nom nomming on my leg in the middle of the night outweighed any animal welfare concerns

[whistonian]

"Because they can"

I just knew someone would say that.

[Baldric]

Zac, 5",
that sounds more like a Crab!

[Tilly2]

Those huge 'spiders' are Harvestmen. They are not spiders.

[B00]

It was defending itself, why are you now killing them?

Think im the only one who doesn't find hair-spraying them to death even remotely funny, must be a horrible way to go.

[Zacs-Master]

Tilly. Thank you for enlightening me. Having looked up Harvestman insectibugs I think you may be right.

[whistonian]

I always catch them in a container then throw them in the garden.

[Zacs-Master]

Still in the container?

[Tilly2]

Leave them alone!

[andy-hughes]

You should not put house spiders outside, they will not survive.

The notion that garden spiders 'come in for a warm' at this time of year is not true.

What you see is house spiders, which have been born in your house and grown to maturity, looking for a mate. These spiders are used to warm conditions and will die quickly outside.

If you leave them, they will continue to roam around the house, unseen for 99% of the time.

When they slip into baths and basins, they can't get out - hence the myth that spiders climb up drains into houses. Aside from the fact that there is a 's' bend full of water in the way, spiders are far too fastidious to go anywhere near a dirty wet drain.

So leave old Boris alone - your experience was a rare one, and you get more benefit out of spiders in your house than by killing them.

[boxtops]

I've never heard of a spider biting anyone, and there is a huge Boris living under my bath.

[andy-hughes]

I am no entymologist, but would a UK spider have strong enough fangs to make a bite a human could feel?

[boxtops]

If I thought you were going to put me down the toilet, I'd bite you too.

[ClaryS]

ok for those who say they've never heard of anyone being bitten by a spider, well yes you have, me :-) and although I haven't the time or inclination to add links,, if anyone interested wants to Google 'UK spider bites' you will come up with pages upon pages of info and pics of lurvely ulcerated bites and cellulitis caused by spider bites in the UK. I used to be the only one in the house yelling leave the spider alone don't squash it! until I endured weeks of pain and soreness from the spider bite. I don't care if the spider only bites as self-defence, wasps do the same thing and no-one would want to live in harmony with a house load of wasps would they.