The first spider is either Steatoda borealis,
which is native to North America, particularly in the north, or Steadota grossa, which is a European species that has been introduced.. Steatoda borealis are generally found in protected areas
outdoors, such as under bark and stones and in and around unfinished
outbuildings, while S. grossa are frequently found indoors or outdoors in the immediate vicinity of buildings. Neither species are aggressive, but may bite if mishandled or caught between skin and fabric.
As far as I can tell, no bite reports exist for S. borealis. However, Steatoda grossa, the false black widow, has a bite that produces symptoms "similar
to but much less severe than those of a true black widow bite. There are documented cases of Steatoda bites
leading to blistering at the site of the bite and a general malaise
lasting for several days. Additionally, symptoms can include moderate to
severe
pain increasing for the first hour (did not include diaphoresis) and
occasionally, mild to moderate nausea, headache, and lethargy. The
duration of all symptoms and effects ranged from 1 to 60 hours."
When found indoors, both species prefer dark, infrequently used places of the
house such as the basement, in which case cleaning those areas may help
reduce the number of spiders around. Pesticides are
likely to be ineffective as they would have to be applied to the areas
the spiders frequent and outdoor spiders could recolonize the house
after the pesticides wear off.
The second spider is a wolf spider.
Wolf spiders are one of the most speciose groups of spiders in North America with 240 described species, some of which are among the largest non-tarantula spiders
in the country. They're often found in grassy habitats and so are
common
in lawns and plantings around houses. Because of this, they sometimes
come indoors accidentally in search of food or when males wander around
in search of mates.
Wolf spiders bite defensively when they're handled or squished, but the
bites are not medically important. Even very large species just produce
localized pain and redness that fades over a few hours to perhaps a day
or two. There are no reported complications
associated with wolf spider bites.
The best way to control wolf spiders indoors is to eliminate the
ways they're entering the home in the first place. This might include
installing brushes on the bottoms of doors or
sealing cracks in the foundation, around pipes and wires that enter the
house, or around windows. Pesticide applications around doors and other
entry points are possible but only temporary solutions as all
pesticides break down, most within a few days to a
few weeks. Eliminating entry points are the only permanent solution.
Other things that may help include keeping the lawn cut short and
reducing or eliminating bushes, flower beds, and other plantings around
the house in order.
