Five Scary Spiders That Will Have Your Skin Crawling

Types of Spiders

It’s almost Halloween in Michigan, and what can be more terrifying than a hair-raising, creepy spider. We have tons of different spiders crawling around Michigan, but fortunately, only two of them are dangerous to humans. Learn more about the five most disturbing looking spiders we have here in Michigan, including two that are venomous, the black widow and the brown recluse. Then, call Custom Lawn Care and learn how we can provide spider control with our perimeter pest control, so you don’t have to be frightened anymore.



Probably the most well-known and most feared spider is the black widow.  Most people know the black widow by its iconic red hourglass under its abdomen. They are the deadliest spider with venom 15 more times worse than that of a rattlesnake. Bites can produce muscle aches, nausea, and a paralysis of the diaphragm that can make breathing difficult. But don’t worry. Humans aren’t really part of the black widow’s diet. They spin their messy webs to capture mostly flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars. The bristles on their hind-legs are used to cover their prey with silk once it has been trapped. The Black Widow gets its name because during mating season, it will often kill its mate and eat it. This small tidbit of information will make for an excellent dinner conversation for a first date!

Another spider known for its bite is the brown recluse. These spiders are brown and identified by the black mark on their abdomen that looks like a violin. Their natural habitat is outside in gardens. In the winter, however, they like to hide in the darkest areas of your home such as the basement, attic, garages, trash cans and attics. Though they aren’t usually aggressive, they will bite if they feel threatened. The infamous bite of a brown recluse can cause skin cells to die in the area surrounding the spider bite , known as necrosis. This can lead to infection and, in rare cases, death. If you are bitten by a brown recluse or a black widow, seek medical attention immediately.



The wolf spider is one of the most intimidating spiders because of its hairy nature. It is often mistaken for the tarantula , but unlike the tarantula, it’s venom is not dangerous to humans. The wolf spider is quite large, and they are usually brown and black with grey coatings. They have outlandish looking eyes with four small eyes on the bottom row, two bigger eyes straight above, and still two bigger eyes on top of their head. They receive their name because instead of constructing a web to capture their prey, they hunt their game on the move, like wolves. Some live in burrows and pounce on their prey when they crawl past the opening. In the home, they are most likely to be found in basements, crawlspaces, and near doors and windows. Despite its quirky appearance, there is no need to worry. While wolf spiders will bite if threatened, fortunately, their bite is not dangerous to humans or pets.



Fishing spiders are similar to wolf spiders in size, shape, and color. They also do not spin webs to catch their predators. Instead, they get their name because they typically live near water and are capable of skimming over water in pursuit of small fish and other aquatic insects. When threatened, they can dive underwater and wait for the threat to pass. Despite this, they can also live in wooded and forested areas and have been found to invade basements, kitchens, and bedrooms.



These furry creatures are commonly mistaken for the black widow spider, due to their compact black bodies with relatively short legs. Jumping spiders range in size from one-eighth of an inch to three-fourths of an inch. They are typically covered with dense hair or scales that are brightly colored. These athletic beings, however, can also be brown, tan, or gray in color. They have excellent daytime vision and can detect and react to a movement that occurs up to a foot and half distance. This may be due to the odd layout of their eyes. With eight eyes in three rows, the front row has four eyes and one huge pair right in the middle. The jumping spider is most commonly seen scouring walls and windowsills. Their bite is not venomous.

The only two spiders listed above that are dangerous for humans are the black widow and brown recluse. Fortunately, spotting them in Michigan is rare. Spiders, however, can be creepy. Custom Lawn Care offers a Mosquito Control Plus Perimeter Pest Control Program that will protect your home from the invasion of spiders and other crawling insects. In the fall, it prevents critters from entering your home and making it there own throughout the winter. Call Custom Lawn Care now at 1-800-570-3313 to learn more about this program or contact us online . For more fascinating facts, tips, and ideas, check out our other blog articles .