Venomous Spiders Found Living in D.C. Government Buildings

Venomous spiders have been identified inside several government buildings in Washington, D.C. But the news is not all that bad, according to some experts. Read on for the details.

Venomous Spider Species Confirmed in Several Buildings in Nation's Capital

The Mediterranean recluse spider has been found lurking around the nation's capital. This type of spider originates from Europe and North Africa and is known to be able to hitchhike long distances, popping up thousands of miles from its native home.

A study published in American Entomologist detailed that the spiders were observed in 14 federal government buildings in and around Washington, D.C. over the last decade. Scientists found these nocturnal spiders mostly in basements and other underground areas. Because these spiders are shy in nature, they often scurry off into the cracks of the walls and go into hiding when people appear.

Dr. Gale E. Ridge, an associate scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, said that despite their scary appearance, these spiders actually provide several benefits. As hunting spiders, the Mediterranean recluses feed on cockroaches and termites, keeping these populations under control. As Ridge said, "We'd be 6 feet deep in flies worldwide without spiders."

The transient nature of the people of Washington, D.C., makes it no surprise that the spider has been identified in this part of the U.S. Hundreds of government agencies, museums, and international organizations call Washington, D.C. home. The employees of these institutions come from all over the world. The continual movement of people in and out of the district makes it more likely that spiders can be brought into the country from overseas.

Ridge said that while Mediterranean recluse spiders are venomous, their shy demeanor means that they are less likely to be a serious public health threat. The spiders are far more likely to hide than approach people.

In addition, it takes a lot of energy for these spiders to produce venom. As such, they are inherently more likely to want to preserve this energy for hunting purposes rather than attacking humans. Ridge said that she was not aware of any documented instances of a human being attacked by a Mediterranean recluse spider. Instead, they use their venom to subdue their prey, producing an enzyme that then breaks down the internal tissues of the insects that they have attacked.