Pennsylvania has a handful of venomous critters that can sneak by you if you don’t know what you’re looking at. I’ve had a couple moments where I spotted something in the yard and wasn’t sure if it was harmless or not.
Learning to recognize these creatures really gives you some peace of mind. Here are the ones every Pennsylvanian should be familiar with.
1. Northern Copperhead
Sporting a gorgeous copper-colored head that gives this snake its name, the northern copperhead blends perfectly into Pennsylvania’s autumn leaves. Hourglass-shaped bands run down their thick bodies, creating a pattern that looks like chocolate kisses.
Pennsylvania residents often encounter copperheads in wooded areas, stone walls, and even suburban gardens. Despite their venomous bite, copperheads are actually quite shy and prefer escaping over fighting.
Always watch where you step when walking through leaf piles or rocky areas across the state.
2. Black Widow Spider
Shiny as polished leather and marked with a crimson hourglass, the female black widow is Pennsylvania’s most notorious spider. Males are harmless and much smaller, but females pack venom powerful enough to cause serious pain.
Dark corners of Pennsylvania garages, sheds, and woodpiles serve as perfect hiding spots for these secretive arachnids. Black widows rarely bite unless directly threatened or accidentally squeezed.
Always wear gloves when moving firewood or reaching into dark spaces around your Pennsylvania property to avoid unwanted encounters.
3. Brown Recluse Spider
Did you know the brown recluse isn’t actually native to Pennsylvania? Yet occasional sightings occur when these spiders hitchhike in boxes or furniture from southern states. The violin-shaped mark on their backs serves as their calling card.
True brown recluse populations don’t naturally exist in Pennsylvania’s climate, making verified encounters extremely rare. Most suspected bites turn out to be from other causes or different spider species.
Still, learning to identify this tan spider helps Pennsylvania residents stay informed and avoid unnecessary panic.
4. Yellow Jacket Wasp
Buzzing aggressively around picnics and trash cans, yellow jackets are Pennsylvania’s most temperamental venomous insects. Unlike honeybees, these wasps can sting repeatedly without dying, making them particularly dangerous when defending their nests.
Their bright yellow and black stripes serve as nature’s warning sign across Pennsylvania neighborhoods. Ground nests and wall cavities house their colonies, which can contain thousands of angry defenders.
Never swat at yellow jackets in Pennsylvania, as this triggers their attack response and releases pheromones that summon reinforcements.
5. Bald-Faced Hornet
Despite its name, the bald-faced hornet is actually a wasp wearing a tuxedo of black and white. Pennsylvania’s forests and suburbs host their distinctive gray paper nests, which hang from trees like oversized footballs.
Extremely protective of their homes, these insects will chase intruders for considerable distances throughout Pennsylvania properties. Their venom causes intense pain and swelling, especially if you receive multiple stings.
Maintain a respectful distance of at least ten feet from any nest you spot in Pennsylvania, and call professionals for removal.
6. Paper Wasp
Dangling their umbrella-shaped nests under Pennsylvania eaves and porch ceilings, paper wasps are common summer neighbors. Long legs hang down as they fly, distinguishing them from other stinging insects around the state.
Less aggressive than yellow jackets, paper wasps in Pennsylvania still defend their nests vigorously when threatened. Brown, yellow, and reddish markings decorate their slender bodies.
Removing nests early in spring throughout Pennsylvania, when colonies are small, prevents problems later when populations explode during summer months.
7. Honey Bee
Pennsylvania’s honey bees might seem gentle, but they’ll sacrifice their lives to protect their hives with venomous stings. Fuzzy, golden-brown bodies and rounded shapes distinguish them from wasps across the state.
After stinging, a honey bee’s barbed stinger remains lodged in skin, continuing to pump venom even after the bee can’t survive the stinging process. Pennsylvania beekeepers value these insects for pollination and honey production.
If stung in Pennsylvania, scrape the stinger out sideways with a credit card rather than pinching it, which squeezes more venom in.
8. Bumble Bee
Round and fuzzy like flying teddy bears, bumble bees are Pennsylvania’s most adorable venomous insects. Their thick, insulating fur allows them to work in cooler temperatures throughout Pennsylvania’s spring and fall seasons.
Generally docile, bumble bees rarely sting unless their ground nests are disturbed or they’re handled roughly. Both males and females can sting multiple times across Pennsylvania.
Watch for their low-flying patterns near the ground in Pennsylvania gardens, which often indicates a nest entrance hidden in abandoned rodent burrows or thick grass.
9. Wheel Bug
Looking like something from a science fiction movie, the wheel bug sports a distinctive cogwheel crest rising from its back. Pennsylvania gardens host these beneficial predators, which hunt other insects with their piercing mouthparts.
Though not aggressive toward humans, a defensive bite from a wheel bug in Pennsylvania causes intense, burning pain lasting for hours. Their long, curved beak can penetrate skin surprisingly easily.
Appreciate these helpful insects from a distance throughout Pennsylvania, and never attempt to handle them, even though they control garden pests effectively.
10. Fire Ant
Though not yet widespread in Pennsylvania, fire ants have begun appearing in the state’s southern regions after migrating north. Reddish-brown bodies and aggressive colony behavior distinguish them from native ant species.
Unlike most ants across Pennsylvania, fire ants bite to grip skin, then sting repeatedly in a circular pattern, injecting burning venom. Disturbing their dome-shaped mounds triggers mass attacks.
Report any suspected fire ant colonies to Pennsylvania agricultural authorities, as early detection helps prevent these invasive insects from establishing permanent populations throughout the state.