What has eight-legs and generally invokes fear between 3 and 15 percent of the population? According to the Cleveland Clinic, that’s the percentage of people in this country with arachnophobia, the phobia of spiders.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources Naturalist Marie Laudeman suggests that we research the types of spiders in the area so you understand them more — especially as we gear up for more spiders in our homes and gardens as summer turns to fall and the weather gets colder.

“The more we’re educated, the more we fear them less in our habitat,” Laudeman said. “In general, all spiders deserve a chance. If we didn’t have spiders, we would be up to our knees in bugs. I know a lot of people who are afraid of spiders, but not too many that are afraid of hummingbirds. Hummingbirds need spiders for their nests. They weave spider silk in their nests to make them strong enough to support their babies. Even if we don’t think they’re cool, they are a necessity for hummingbird survival and play a large role in their ecosystems. Spiders live in every habitat. Take time to sit and watch one. They have such intricate and complicated lives for such a tiny creature. We can learn a lot from them.”

There are around 400 species of spiders that are currently known to occur in Indiana, but more are still being discovered. Out of the 400 species, only two are known that can inflict serious injury to humans.

“All spiders have venom and all immune systems react differently,” Laudeman said. “So what might affect me one way could affect someone else in a different way. Two species are medically significant, the brown recluse and black widow. They both like warmer climates. Spider bites can be misdiagnosed and are often mistaken. It’s harder to know if a spider bites you because you don’t see it. It could be that you’re camping and there’s a spider in your sleeping bag and it bites you because you’re about to roll over on it, or in your bed. They typically bite because that is how they protect themselves. You might not have a reaction until after so monitor it and contact a doctor.”

Interpretive Naturalist at the Brown County State Park Eli Major told the Democrat that some spiders such as wolf spiders will seek warmer habitats once weather gets cold and they may enter houses or garages. Wolf spiders can be identified at being between a half inch to two inches long, hairy and brown or gray with markings and lines on their bodies. They are often confused with the brown recluse, but they lack the violin-shaped markings behind their heads that are typical for brown recluse.

According to Major the most notably seen spiders in Brown County are orb-weaver spiders, which build webs and chocolate brown fishing spiders which are notably large in size. Like their name suggests, fishing spiders generally stay near water where they can catch their food. Females are typically around an inch in size with a leg span of a little over three inches. They, like wolf spiders, do not build webs and catch their prey by hunting.

Orb-weaver spiders are very common and are known for spinning orb-shaped webs. Females are usually between two and three centimeters, with the males being even smaller. They can be white, black, green or yellow and some have stripes on their legs.

“Spiders are rarely a threat to people. If someone is afraid of spiders, they should avoid touching them,” said Major. “Animals, including spiders, go to where food is. Spiders will be less interested in a house that is regularly swept, uses window screens, and does not leave food or other things out to attract insects.”

According to the Common Spiders of Ohio Field Guide, recommended by Laudeman as Indiana does not yet have a field guide but shares arachnid species with Ohio, grass, garden, sac, clown-faced and orchard spiders are most commonly seen in late summer through early fall. Other species like weaver, cellar, wolf, jumper, parson and orbweaver spiders can be seen any month of the year.

Black widow spiders are rarely found in homes and typically live in undisturbed locations, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. They can be identified by their black bodies with a red or yellow hourglass on the underside.

Brown recluse spiders with their legs outstretched are about the size of a half-dollar and are often found in barns, sheds and other dry places. They are brown with a violin-shaped marking on their back.

“Spider bites are a non-issue,” Major said. “I’ve never had a spider bite reported during my state park career, and have never heard of one either. I can’t think of a single media report about a spider bite either. If you are bitten by a spider and you experience pain, dizziness, nausea, or swelling, seek medical attention.”

Both Major and Laudeman recommend using identification applications like iNaturalist to upload photos of unknown spider species and receive comments by professional naturalists and arachnologists.