Q&A for How to Identify a Yellow Sac Spider

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Are yellow sac spider bites deadly and poisonous?

Brandon Runyon
Entomologist
Brandon Runyon is a board-certified Entomologist based in Evansville, Indiana. He has over 18 years of experience as a Pest Control professional, and is the Technical Director of Swat Pest Management. Swat Pest Management serves areas throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, where they provide safe, cost-effective solutions for client’s pest control needs. He authored Bugged by Bugs: A Comprehensive Guide to Pest Control, a user-friendly guide to commercial pest control practices in hotels, restaurants, apartments, and offices. He graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Entomology, and received a MS in Entomology from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also received an MBA from Western Governors University.

Brandon Runyon

Entomologist

Expert Answer

Yellow-sac spider bites are not typically deadly, but they can cause issues. These spiders are venomous but not poisonous, and their bites can cause the skin to become irritated and develop a small, pebble-like sore. While their venom is not considered highly dangerous, it can cause severe reactions in some individuals. If you experience a significant reaction to a yellow sac spider bite, I recommend seeking urgent medical care.

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How can I tell whether a spider is a brown recluse or a yellow sac?

Community Answer

Brown recluses are bigger and have a violin shape on their back, not a straight line.

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Do yellow sac spiders ever look colorless and drop straight down on a web string?

Community Answer

In my area (Northern Virginia) I have seen many yellow sac spiders around my house and just a couple nights ago I saw a spider that was slightly transparent drop straight down from my ceiling fan, so yes, I believe so.

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How deadly is the yellow sac spider?

Community Answer

The toxicity of their bite itself isn't much of a problem, but it can cause other problems. Their bites have been linked to MRSA infections and they can be quite painful and lead to a necrotic lesion, which can cause a whole bunch of other complications. Some people react strongly, and some people don't. For your safety, it's just best to avoid them entirely.

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Are there yellow sac spiders in Ontario even in cold snowy winters?

Community Answer

Yes, we have a problem with them in our home near Ottawa. We have seen them occasionally during winter months, but in the spring/summer/fall we see several per week.

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Do yellow sac spiders ever look black with a yellow abdomen?

Community Answer

No. They will never look like that. Perhaps you are confusing it with another spider?

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How to kill a yellow sac spider without getting hurt?

Community Answer

You can try to trap it with a spider sac. In addition, you can try to vacuum them and their sacs up -- then throw out the vacuum's bag.

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Are there yellow sac spiders in the Ukraine in the late summer or early fall? Will yellow sac spiders act aggressively?

Community Answer

Yes they can appear in Eastern Europe during certain times of the year, mostly winter. Most sac spiders will generally hide from you. However, if harassed, they can bite you. Most are harmless but it can cause swelling and red bumps.

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Are yellow sac spiders harmful to turtles?

Community Answer

No, they are much too small to harm turtles. Turtles have very tough skin on their arms and legs, protecting them against such small bites.

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