Bites and Stings

Georgia is home to many snakes, spiders, and bugs — and some of them are more dangerous than others. The Georgia Poison Center can help with all bites or stings, from venomous snake and spider bites to wasp and caterpillar stings.

Although individuals may have different reactions to bites or stings, the species most likely to cause harm is the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider. The bite will be very painful and can cause serious toxic injury to tissue, requiring medical care.

Some people are allergic to stings and bites and may experience hives, rash, itching palms and feet, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. If you are stung and have any of these reactions, seek medical care immediately.

Did you Know?

There are 46 species of snakes native to Georgia, but only 6 are venomous:

1. Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
2. Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
3. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)
4. Timber/Canebrake Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
5. Pigmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius)
6. Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius)

Check out this video and brochure of Georgia’s Venomous Snakes by the Wildlife Resource Division – DNR.

If bitten by a venomous snake, go to the nearest ER immediately and contact poison control at 1-800-222-1222 on the way. Our poison specialists will work with the hospital staff to treat the snakebite.

Additional Resources:

References:

Georgia Department of Natural Resources: Wildlife Resources Division. Snake Information & Resources. Retrieved January 25, 2023, from https://georgiawildlife.com/georgiasnakes.

Georgia Poison Center. Bites and Stings. Retrieved January 25, 2023, from https://www.georgiapoisoncenter.org/poisons/poison-hazards/bites-stings/.

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