Many people dislike and even fear spiders even though, for the most part, they are very beneficial due to their role as predators of insects.
Are They Dangerous?
The two most common poisonous spiders in the continental United States are the Brown Recluse and Black Widow. Due to the colder winters in the Midwest, they cannot survive in this area. If one is found in our region, it has been transported from warmer climates and will not survive here for any extended period of time. However, we have provided some facts for your information.
The Brown Recluse spiders are primarily structural pests, living inside and around homes. As their name implies, they are not generally seen in the open, preferring dark secluded spaces. They can be found in rock piles, firewood, etc., outdoors, and in boxes, corners, stored clothing or other stored items in basements, attics, crawlspaces, etc., inside the home. They do not actively pursue humans, but instead, only bite if disturbed.
Commonly known as the "fiddle-back" spider because of the distinct fiddle-shaped marking on its back, the Brown Recluse can administer an extremely painful and potentially dangerous bite. A person bitten by a Brown Reclusive may not be immediately aware of having been bitten at the time of the bite. The first symptoms often appear several hours later in the form of a small blister, redness, and swelling. In the days following, the tissue dies and sloughs off, exposing underlying flesh. This develops into an open sore which is slow to heal and can leave a nasty, sunken scar after healing. There may also be accompanying flu-like symptoms such as nausea, chills, fever, and restlessness. If you suspect you have been bitten by a Brown Recluse spider, do not panic, but seek immediate medical attention and call a pest management professional for an inspection of the home.
The Black Widow is the other poisonous spider. This spider is rarely found indoors, preferring dark, dry, relatively undisturbed places such as woodpiles, hollow stumps, shrubbery, stones, meter boxes, etc. Like the Brown Recluse, the Black Widow does not actively seek out humans but instead bites if disturbed.
Symptoms of a bite are largely internal. A little more than local swelling and redness may develop at the bite site. Internal effects may range from mild to severe. Some of these symptoms may include muscular spasms, profuse sweating, fever, elevated blood pressure, difficulty in breathing or speaking, restlessness, and nausea. Typically, these symptoms reach their peak within 24 hours of the bite and subside over the next 2 to 3 days. Small children, the elderly, or people in poor health are most likely to suffer from the more severe symptoms. If you suspect a Black Widow spider has bitten you, do not panic, but seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Control
Our Spring and Fall applications can dramatically reduce the number of spiders seen in the home. Spiders can also be a product of insect infestations, while they are difficult to control through chemical means, controlling the insects they feed on will help to reduce the numbers of spiders you are seeing. Monroe Pest Control Inc. specializes in riding these insects from your home. We offer free estimates and a full warranty upon completion of services!
