My Indiana Spider Adventure
So, after folks kept asking me about the creepy crawlies in our state, I decided enough was enough. Time to get my boots dirty and figure out which Indiana spiders actually pack a punch. Grabbed my notebook, my beat-up old camera – seriously, it takes forever to focus – and headed out early Saturday morning.
First thing I did? Hit up the local library archives. Sounds boring, I know. But man, sifting through old reports and nature guides? That’s where the real dirt is. Found records showing only two spider types here that can actually mess you up bad: the Black Widow and the Brown Recluse. Kept reading, jotting down notes about where they like to hide. Widows love dark, undisturbed spots like woodpiles, sheds, or under those old benches in the garden. Recluses? Sneakier. Often hiding in cardboard boxes tucked away in basements or garages, or nestled in piles of clothes left on the floor.
Now for the hands-on part. Spent the next week playing spider detective around my own property and a couple of friends’ places. Checked behind the dusty water heater in my basement – nada. Peered cautiously into the garden shed, using a long stick to lift stacks of old flower pots gently. Bingo. Found the classic widow shape tucked way back in a corner – that jet black body, plump like a grape, and that unmistakable reddish hourglass marking underneath. Scary-looking, but she wasn’t moving much.
Spotting the recluse proved trickier. They call them ‘recluses’ for a reason! Crawled around my buddy’s cluttered garage attic (wearing thick gloves, no way was I risking bare hands!). Finally spotted one under an ancient rolled-up rug – that violin-shaped mark behind its head is smaller and more subtle than you’d think. Saw a few other spiders too, got my camera clicking like crazy to compare later.
Putting my safety plan into practice:
- Cleared out junk piles immediately. Dragged that rotten wood pile away from my house wall with my truck.
- Started putting tools away properly in the shed instead of leaving them lying around for spiders to hide under.
- Made a big deal of shaking out garden gloves and old boots before putting them on – gave everyone at home a lecture about it too!
- Sealed up cracks around the basement windows with that expanding foam stuff – messy job, but worth it.
Biggest takeaway? Don’t panic and squish every spider you see. Most are harmless helpers eating bugs. But know these two troublemakers by sight: Widow’s dark with the red mark underneath, Recluse is brownish with that fiddler’s shape near its head. Learn their favorite hiding spots. Seriously, a little cleaning and being careful before you stick your hand somewhere dark goes a long way. This stuff isn’t rocket science, just paying attention! My notebook’s covered in scribbles and coffee stains now, but I feel way better knowing what to watch for out there.
