Not all bites are created equal. Knowing which multi-legged culprit is responsible for that itchy bump can be critical when it comes to mosquito bites and spider bites. Understanding the difference between a mosquito bite and a spider bite isn’t just about scratching the surface — some bites can be harmless, while others need attention. Let’s decode the red bumps and figure out how to keep your outdoor adventures bite-free from these creepy-crawly surprises.
How to Identify Mosquito Bites
Unfortunately, learning how to identify mosquito bites generally requires getting up close and personal. A typical mosquito bite appears as a small, puffy bump that’s red and itchy. The nasty biters prefer to attack the feet, ankles, legs, arms, and neck, though they can bite in other locations. Reactions can range from minor itching to “Ahhhh! Make this itching stop!” depending upon the individual’s sensitivity. Allergies to mosquito bites and Skeeter syndrome are no joke. And don’t buy into the little buzzers’ propaganda — mosquitoes don’t just bite at night. They’re always on the lookout for their next meal.
How to Identify Spider Bites
While most spider bites are not dangerous, it’s still important to learn how to identify spider bites. A typical spider bite looks like a small red bump, sometimes with two tiny fang marks. Rather than the puffy red swelling of a mosquito bite, spider bites look more like a blister. Some spider bites have a dark center, and sometimes, the center develops a pus-filled ulcer that turns black.
Some spider bites develop a “bull’s eye” look, with a large red rash surrounding the bite, sometimes with a whitish ring. Spider bites can look and feel very different depending upon the type of spider that bites and the amount of venom it injects.
Key Differences Between a Spider Bite and a Mosquito Bite
When distinguishing between a spider bite vs. a mosquito bite, people often focus on the look or feel of the bite. But let’s consider the motive. Mosquitoes are out for blood — hunting and biting humans for food, specifically a blood meal, to nurture the next generation of blood-sucking biters. When they bite, a little saliva gets into the wound, and they draw out your blood. (Nasty!) But no spider ever wants to bite a person.
Spiders bite humans out of self-defense rather than hunger. If a spider is caught in your clothing or you sit next to a spider (with or without a tuffet), they bite to avoid getting squished. They insert their fangs and inject their venom to scare us away. That’s why there are no favorite biting spots for spiders like there are for mosquitoes.
Judging and meeting out punishment for spider bites vs. mosquito bites based on motive alone makes us want to give the spiders a pass. Unlike the number of common mosquito diseases, spiders don’t infect people with infectious diseases. Mosquitoes will bite multiple times when they find particularly yummy blood, but spiders bite just once, so multiple red itchy bites implicate a mosquito. Before you decide you’re Team Spider, however, remember that the bite of some spiders (looking at you, black widow and brown recluse!) can be deadly.
Other than motive and appearance, what’s the difference between a spider bite and a mosquito bite?
- Bite Timing: Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, though they’ll bite whenever they find you. Spiders, on the other hand, bite when they feel threatened — no schedule needed.
- Bite Location: While mosquitoes seek out humans, typically biting feet, ankles, legs, arms, and neck, spiders hide in basements, attics, or plants and only bite when you invade their space, so they bite wherever they happen to be.
- Bite Severity: Mosquito bites itch like crazy and can spread diseases like Zika, Dengue Fever, or West Nile. Spider bites may also itch, but some carry venom that can lead to more serious symptoms and require medical intervention.
Treating Symptoms of Mosquito Bites and Spider Bites at Home
Start by washing the bite with water and soap, then apply an antibiotic ointment. Cool things down with a cold compress to keep the swelling down and mitigate the itch. Got hydrocortisone cream? That’ll work like a charm on both. And here’s a fun secret weapon: meat tenderizer paste! Yes, really — mix it with water to make a paste and apply it to break down those pesky proteins causing the itch.
When to Seek Medical Attention for a Bite
But don’t forget — both mosquito bites and spider bites can go from itchy to “uh-oh” real fast. Mosquitoes can carry and transmit diseases, while some spider venom is particularly nasty.
Seek medical attention if your mosquito bite causes:
- Infection at the bite site
- Pain at the bite site
- Fever, headache, or body aches
Seek medical attention if your spider bite causes:
- Infection at the bite site
- Severe pain or pain lasting more than 48 hours
- Wheezing and trouble breathing or swallowing
- An open wound
- Red streaks
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever, chills, excessive sweating
- Weakness or fainting
If you recognize the spider who bit you as a dangerous one, there’s no need to wait for scary symptoms to develop. Instead, stay calm — an elevated heart rate speeds the venom through your system. Cleanse the wound, apply ice, elevate the wound, and seek immediate medical attention. Do not apply a tourniquet. Although symptoms like muscle pain, fever, and cramping can take hours to develop, you must be proactive with bites from highly venomous spiders.
Preventing Mosquito and Spider Bites
Nobody wants to wind up on a mosquito’s menu or startle a spider into attacking. To keep the bugs at bay, start with some simple strategies. To avoid mosquito bites, long sleeves and pants are your best friends. For added protection, spray on a repellent containing DEET or Picaridin. For a more natural (and better smelling) option, lemon eucalyptus oil works wonders, too. For spiders, shake out your shoes, clothes, and towels before using them to be sure there’s no sneaky eight-legged stow-away.
Is your yard harboring mosquitoes? They love standing water, so empty your bird baths, catch trays, buckets, and blocked gutters before they become mosquito nurseries. To avoid spider bites, don’t set up camp in dark corners, in wood piles, among plants, or anywhere they spin their webs. For the best defense against mosquito bites and spider bites, consider hiring professional pest control services.
Mosquito Joe® provides mosquito control and spider control services to keep you and your family itch-free. We also offer eco-friendly pest control options. We tailor our services to meet your specific needs. And we know you’ll love our work because the Neighborly Done Right Promise® backs everything we do.
Stop scratching and start enjoying your backyard again. Request a free quote today, and we’ll do the rest.
Spider Bite vs. Mosquito Bite FAQs
Since 2010, Mosquito Joe professionals have protected families like yours from nasty biters that would have you itching and scratching your way through summer. As an industry leader dedicated to environmentally sound pest control, we’re happy to use our many years of experience to answer your most frequently asked questions about the difference between mosquito bites and spider bites.
What is commonly mistaken for a spider bite?
What is most commonly mistaken for a spider bite is a mosquito bite or another bug bite. Ants, mites, and fleas are potential culprits. Some bacterial infections, such as MRSA, and certain skin conditions, including impetigo, shingles, and contact dermatitis, can also be confused for spider bites.
Should I squeeze a spider bite?
No. Squeezing a spider bite won’t squirt out the venom. Instead, it may spread the venom through your system faster. Instead, wash the bite area well with soap and water. If it is particularly itchy or other symptoms develop, apply an ice pack and elevate the bite site while seeking medical attention.
What is the best thing to put on a spider bite?
Always start by cleansing the bite first with soap and water. Next, apply an antibiotic ointment three times daily to ward off infection. If the bite itches, apply an ice pack. If the bite is particularly painful, becomes an open wound, or develops red streaks or other symptoms, seek medical attention.
All Mosquito Joe franchises are locally owned and operated and may offer fewer or more services than those listed here. To learn more about the Spider Control and Mosquito Control services offered in your area, contact your local Mosquito Joe for details or a customized on-site assessment.
