If three different spiders are placed in front of you and you are told to pick up the harmless one to win a million dollars, would you feel confident enough to do it? Unless you are an entomologist (someone who studies bugs) chances are your answer would be no. For most residents here in America, a spider is a spider, and you should deem them all dangerous until they are proven harmless. If you are looking to learn how to identify and keep away two known dangerous spiders here in Columbia, we are here to help.
The Black Widow & Brown Recluse
In Columbia, there are only two species of spider you need to fear: the black widow, and the brown recluse. All other common spiders are merely a nuisance if they get into your house. To identify a black widow, look for a distinct red hourglass shape on the bottom of their abdomen. That combined with their small 1/2 to 1.5-inch-long black bodies and you should be able to spot them fairly quickly.
A brown recluse, on the other hand, shares many characteristics that are common in other harmless spiders, such as their sandy brown body and the dark brown violin marking found just behind their heads. The only feature that sets them apart is that they have six eyes; most spiders have eight. This little feature can make identification quite difficult. We recommend keeping your distance from any spider that could be a brown recluse.
Problems Dangerous Spiders Cause
Both the brown recluse and the black widow have bites you will not forget. Luckily, with immediate medical attention, neither of them have venom that is typically fatal. It is only in the cases where the victim is an infant, an older person, or has a preexisting medical condition that their bite has been known to kill. A bite from one of these poisonous arachnids may bring forth some of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Chills
- Muscle Fatigue
- Weakness
- Joint Pain
- Ulcer on the bitten area
- Pain and redness around the bite
- Headache
- Severe to high blood pressure
If you are exhibiting any of these symptoms, seek medical attention ASAP.
Spider Prevention Tips
Spiders invade houses to find food, and for them, food is any other insect. If your home has pest issues, a spider problem can be right around the corner. To keep pests out, here are some things you can try:
- Seal up cracks and gaps in your home’s exterior.
- Make sure window and door screens are in good working order.
- Fix leaks and make sure drains are working properly.
- Install door sweeps on exterior doors.
- Store leftover food in airtight containers.
- Make sure trashcans have tight-fitting lids.
If you are looking for the best pest defense for your home to keep dangerous spiders at bay, turn to the professionals here at Phenom Pest Protection. Our team has trained long and hard and knows how to deal with pests of all shapes and sizes, including dangerous spiders.
Don’t wait for a dangerous spider to reach you; reach out to Phenom today to get the home pest control you deserve.