Most people understand that an encounter with a brown recluse spider can cause significant repercussions. While the initial bite may be so innocuous that the spider’s victim doesn’t even know that the encounter has occurred, some bites can become painful and itchy within 2 to 8 hours which is a sign that the bite is ulcerating. Within 12 to 36 hours the adverse effects worsen with the ulcer developing over the next few days. The wound will begin to spread and can become as large as 10 inches. The damaged tissue becomes gangrenous and peels away. This necrosis occurs in about 37% of bites, and in about 14% of bites an even more serious systemic reaction occurs. In both of these circumstances, medical intervention is required.
As you can clearly see, being able to accurately identify a brown recluse spider is important. The brown recluse typically measures between 6mm and 20mm. It can range from off-white, light to dark brown, or blackish gray with its infamous violin shaped marking on its cephalothorax. The violin’s neck points toward the rear of the spider. But, the true test of a brown recluse is that it only has six eyes (arranged in pairs) as opposed to the eight eyes on their lookalike cellar spiders and pirate spiders.
The good news is brown recluse spiders are not overly aggressive and will typically only bite if you accidentally come in contact with them. They are shy spiders, and will typically hide in dark, damp, undisturbed locations. Outside, they prefer to live under piles of leaves, under piles of wood, and under or around rocks. Inside, they can be found in basements, attics, and closets. They like to hide in storage boxes, in shoes, and inside clothes that have been lying around undisturbed for any length of time.
There are some things that you can do to help prevent a brown recluse spider bite. They include:
- Do not leave clothing lying on the floor, and be sure to shake clothing before putting it on.
- Wear gloves and pay particular attention when taking items out of storage boxes and bins. Brown recluse spiders are particularly fond of cardboard boxes.
- Look inside shoes or tip them upside down and shake them before placing your foot inside.
- Clean up clutter in your basement and attic.
- Keep work gloves stores in plastic sealable bags.
- Store hand held tools in plastic sealable bags or airtight bins with locking lids.
- Clean clutter in your yard.
- Stack wood on pallets and at least 20 feet from your home.
- Wear gloves whenever working in the yard, especially when digging in mulch, reaching into brush, moving rocks, or cleaning up leaves.
Once brown recluse spiders decide to move into your home, it is very difficult to get rid of them completely. They are reclusive and resilient little creatures, and they know how to hide. Adams Exterminating Company has experience dealing with brown recluse spiders and can help you to completely eliminate them from your home or business. To learn more about our reliable year-round pest control services or our one-time service for a specific pest like the brown recluse, contact us today.