SPIDERS
Spiders are arachnids and not insects. They have eight legs and do not have wings or antennae. Spiders seem to have a bad rap. A lot of people are afraid of them even though most species are harmless to humans. Spiders actually play an important role in our ecosystem – they are predators of various insects and arthropods.
35,000 SPECIES OF SPIDERS IN THE WORLD
- Spiders can be found almost anywhere in the whole world! In North America, there are about 2,500 different species of spiders.
ARACHNOPHOBIA
Extreme or irrational fear of spiders.*
Spider phobia is considered one of the most common specific phobias.*
* http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/arachnophobia
DANGEROUS & DEADLY SPIDERS
Most spiders are not aggressive. They only usually bite humans in self defense when trapped or held.
In southern and western U.S., only two species are considered harmful when disturbed – the brown recluse and black widow.
BROWN RECLUSE
Identification:
• Brown with violin-shaped, dark marking on their head.
• With six equal-sized eyes
• ¼ – ½” in length
Bite:
The bite of the brown recluse spider is normally painless. Pain is usually felt 3 to 8 hours after the bite. A small blister often develops at the bite area. This can turn into an open ulcer later on. Healing of necrotic ulcer can take months and usually leaves a deep scar.
BLACK WIDOW
Identification:
• Black with red or orange hourglass shape on the underside of their large abdomen
• Female – 5/16″ to 5/8” in length
• Males are smaller than females
Bite:
Their venom produces pain at the bite location which can spread to other parts of the body. In some cases, the victim may suffer rigid abdominal muscles, chest tightness, increased blood pressure and nausea. If not given proper medical attention, severe symptoms may develop.
Death from a spider bite is extremely rare in the U.S.
Fatality is highly unlikely if appropriate and timely medical treatment is sought.
SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH SPIDER BITES
Only a few species can bite through the human skin, and majority of those spiders inject toxins that are not very dangerous to humans.
FIRST AID: WHAT TO DO IF BITTEN BY A SPIDER
- Be calm and identify the spider if you can – Don’t panic – most spider bites are not harmful. If you can’t positively confirm the type of spider, try to bring it to a professional for proper identification.
- Clean the bite site – Immediately wash the area of the spider bite thoroughly with generous amounts of soap and water. This will help prevent infection.
- Use a cold compress – Apply a cool compress over the spider bite site to reduce swelling.
- Elevate the area – If possible, elevate the bite site. Don’t elevate above the heart, if you suspect the bite is from a black widow or brown recluse spider.
- Take appropriate medicine – Take aspirin, acetaminophen or antihistamines to relieve symptoms resulting from the bite. Use caution when giving aspirin to children and teens.
- Seek medical help – Seek proper medical treatment if symptoms worsen. If bitten by a black widow spider or brown recluse, get immediate medical care.
Note: This information is not intended to replace the medical advice offered by your physician or primary health care provider.
HOW TO KEEP SPIDERS AWAY!
- Make sure that your home is always clean and free from clutter – Most spiders prefer undisturbed, secluded and cluttered areas. Rooms or other locations inside the house that has been left unused for a long time could be harboring numerous spiders.
- Seal any cracks or openings where spiders can crawl into your home – Spiders can enter homes through cracks and crevices. This includes damaged windows and doors. Make sure that the area outside the house is inspected regularly.
- Trim shrubs, vines and trees that are touching your home – Trimming vegetation can help reduce the spiders outside your home. This will also reduce the spiders crawling inside the property.
- Inspect items before bringing them inside the house – Items such as boxes, groceries and tools left outside your home should be inspected before you bring them inside. Spiders can easily crawl into your things without your knowledge.
- Be proactive in controlling spiders in and around your property – Don’t wait before it’s too late! Always be proactive about spider control. This will greatly decrease the chances of spider infestation. If you think you have a spider infestation in your home, contact a pest professional immediately.
Preventive Pest Control has multiple locations and offers fast and effective spider extermination
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention // www.cdc.gov
University of Kentucky – College of Agriculture, Food and
Environment // www2.ca.uky.edu
University of California – Agriculture and Natural Resources // www.ipm.ucdavis.edu
University of Minnesota – Extension // www.extension.umn.edu
Ohio State University – Extension // ohioline.osu.edu
Pest World // www.pestworld.org
Pest World for Kids // www.pestworldforkids.org