Brown Recluse spiders are one of the most notorious spiders in North America, primarily due to their venomous bite. While not directly aggressive, they can pose a risk when they share living spaces with humans. Effective Pest Services would like to bring some understanding to the Brown Recluse, its behavior, and control measures that can help ensure safety for your household.
What Does a Brown Recluse Spider Look Like?
Native to the central and southern United States, the Brown Recluse is a medium sized spider, usually measuring up to 7/8 of an inch. Some of the distinguishing features of the Brown Recluse Spider include:
• A violin-shaped mark on its cephalothorax.
• Six eyes, unlike most spiders which have eight.
• A light tan to dark brown body.
Despite their fearsome reputation, Brown Recluse spiders are shy and prefer to stay hidden. Encounters occur accidentally as they tend to hide in clothing and dark corners.
What is the Risk of a Brown Recluse Spider?
The main concern with these spiders is their venomous bite. While they don’t seek out humans to attack or bite, they might bite if they feel threatened. For example they may be pressed against the skin or trapped in clothing. Symptoms of a Brown Recluse Spider bite can include:
• A red, swollen area around the bite.
• Development of a blister, which may evolve into an ulcer or lesion.
• Fever, chills, and body aches in rare cases.
If bitten, it’s essential to seek medical attention immediately.
How Do You Stop a Brown Recluse Infestation?
• Home Inspection & Maintenance: Seal cracks in your home’s foundation, gaps around windows and doors, and spaces around utility systems such as wiring and plumbing. Regular maintenance can help reduce areas where spiders can enter from.
• Declutter: Brown Recluse spiders love hiding in undisturbed places. Regularly clearing of cluttered areas such as in basements, attics, and garages, can reduce their hiding spots.
• Proper Storage: When storing items in basements or garages, use sealed plastic containers rather than cardboard boxes. Always wear gloves when sifting through stored items.
• Regular Cleaning: Regular cleaning such as vacuuming and sweeping basements, corners, and under furniture to clear away spiders, webs, and egg sacs.
• Use Sticky Traps: Placing sticky traps in areas where spider activity is noticed can help reduce their numbers. While it won’t eliminate an infestation, it is a great monitoring tool.
• Exterior Measures: Keep vegetation, including grass and shrubs trimmed and away from your home’s foundation. Store firewood away from the house and elevated off the ground if possible.
• Chemical Control: While there are several chemical sprays and dusts available for spider control, their effectiveness on Brown Recluse spiders can vary. It is essential to choose products labeled effective for Brown Recluse spiders.
• Professional Pest Control Help: To ensure that your home is spider free, you may want to contact a professional pest control service. They can help identify entry points, elements that may attract Brown Recluse spiders and provide the best control methods for these pests and your home.
Spider Pest Inspections, Exclusion, Control, Removal & More in Wellington, Fort Collins, Timnath, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder, Johnstown, Berthoud, Estes Park & Loveland, CO | Northern Colorado
The brown recluse spider, while venomous, generally wants to keep to itself. Ensuring your home is less inviting and habitable for them is the key to co-existing safely. Through understanding, preventive measures, and timely action you can better keep these spiders out and away from your home. For reliable pest control services, contact Effective Pest Services today.
