Most spiders are harmless to humans. In fact, only 0.5% of the world’s spider species are potentially dangerous to us—and these are not found in Quebec. What’s more, as predators, spiders play an important role in ecosystems. Among other things, hey help control insect populations.
Can spiders sting us?
No, spiders do not sting, but they can bite. Unlike wasps, bees, or scorpions, they do not have stingers. Instead, they have fangs, called chelicerae, which they use to pierce the exoskeletons of their prey. These fangs are generally too small or fragile to pierce human skin.
Spiders that do manage to bite humans typically cause only transient pain.
Moreover, spiders rarely bite humans. They tend to flee when faced with danger. Most bites occur when a spider is trapped between the skin and an object (such as a sheet, a piece of clothing, or a shoe). Bites can also happen when someone tries to catch or handle a spider with bare hands.
Are spiders venomous? Can they cause allergies?
Almost all spiders produce venom to paralyze their prey before feeding on it. In other words, their venom is a powerful hunting tool!
Some people may develop allergic symptoms to spiders. However, this phenomenon is rare and varies greatly from one individual to another.
Reactions to bites are not associated with the venom itself but rather with allergenic proteins in the spider’s saliva. Allergic reactions can also be caused by inhaling spider hairs, scales, or small particles.
These arthropods do not transmit diseases.