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Fear of spiders is common among home owners. It’s hard not to shudder when one of these eight-legged critters skitters across your path. In most cases, this fear is completely unfounded. While their webs are annoying and messy looking, most household spiders are harmless. They can even be beneficial in the right places, eating other, more problematic insects, like mosquitoes. Pest control services can be used to keep them outside of the home.

Only two of Florida’s spiders are venomous. Many spider bites can cause itching or pain similar to a bug bite or bee sting. However, the widow and the Recluse spiders have a bite than can cause much more damage. A Melbourne pest control company like Slug-A-Bug can help you identify what spider is in your house and whether or not it is dangerous.

Three species of widow spiders are Florida natives and one more has been introduced to the state. Most have big, round, shiny, black abdomens and the very recognizable female Southern Black Widow is marked with a red-orange hourglass shape. They are nocturnal and make messy-looking webs. Its bite is systemic, spreading symptoms throughout the body via the lymphatic system in a matter of about 1-3 hours. Symptoms can include pain, muscle cramps, rigid abdominal muscles, nausea, vomiting, and high blood pressure. The other species are the Northern Black, the Red and the Brown Widows. Each has its own colors and patterns so don’t be fooled by a different color.

Recluse spiders are not Florida natives, but at least three species have been intercepted and may have established colonies in scattered locations. They are medium sized spiders and are usually tan to brown in color. They often have a violin-shaped pattern on their head, but so do some other varieties. It’s best to contact a pest control specialist to determine what type of spider you have. Its bite can cause necrosis (tissue death) ranging from mild to severe. A blister will form at the site of the bite accompanied by pain and swelling that may both be quite acute. Affected skin turns purple, then black. The core will eventually fall out, leaving a pit or crater in the tissue that eventually fills with scar tissue.

Both these spiders like the same types of places. They favor dark, undisturbed spots that are often underneath another object. Do not reach into anything where you cannot see your hands if you want to avoid a bad bite. Downspouts and firewood piles are excellent hiding places as well as basements, storage rooms, and attics.

Check clothing that has not been worn in a long while before wearing it. Keep up with your regular pest control services appointments and show your technician any spots you believe may harbor a hazardous pest. Wear gloves when handling firewood or reaching into storage boxes. Slug-a-Bug can suggest green pest control methods to help keep your family safe from venomous spiders.

Source: Slug-A-Bug blog