No doubt some of you want to get the flamethrowers ready. Wilson Middle School in Manitowoc, WI has been temporarily closed due to an infestation of yellow sac spiders. A student was sent home with a swollen arm, the result of a bite from one of these eight-legged encroachers. A teacher was also a victim of a bite, requiring medical attention.
This prompted an investigation, which revealed more than 30 spiders across several classrooms. Needless to say, it was time to call in pest control. Luckily, yellow sac spiders are fairly common, with non-lethal venom. But, the resulting bite can be painful and akin to a severe allergic reaction. These spiders tend to shelter in corners or against walls in a tiny silk sac, biting only when threatened. For humans, this usually means the spider getting trapped between clothing and skin.
Yellow sac spiders are more commonly found outside than indoors, though they’ll often settle into household environments. But this sudden outbreak could be due to low temperatures, as the spiders will seek out warmer spaces in winter months. The lows in Manitowoc are currently around 25 degrees. Yellow sac spiderlings usually hatch in late Autumn. So either the school was a popular Lover’s Lane to yellow sacs, or the chilly arachnids invaded to avoid frosty weather.
Whatever the reason, those that were in attendance during the discovery are urged to keep an eye out for evidence of bites. Might also be prudent to check bookbags and shoes as the critters are quite small.
Still, it’s better than raccoon fleas!
