Nobody wants to see a spider in their home. Even for those of us who do not identify as arachnophobes, seeing an eight-legged creature scuttling throughout your home is unpleasant to say the least. That unpleasantness rises to alarm if you come across a venomous spider in your Davenport home. A brown recluse spider infestation is not something you should face on your own.
How To Identify Brown Recluse Spiders
Brown recluse spiders get their name from both their coloring and their penchant for solitude. They are present in many countries; in the U.S., they are mainly found in the Midwest and the Southeast. Brown recluse spiders are tan to brown in color with a dark brown violin shape on their back. Their bodies are roughly 1/2 an inch in length with long, narrow legs. They have six eyes, arranged in three rows of two around their head.
Brown recluse spiders are loners; as such, they spin webs for themselves to retreat to rather than to catch food. They eat larger insects, like beetles, and prefer to eat them alive. Female brown recluses spiders lay multiple eggs at a time, with their egg sacs containing up to 300 eggs. Their spiderlings reach adulthood within a year. Brown recluse spiders can live up to five years if all of their needs are met. These spiders are notoriously venomous.
The Dangers Of Brown Recluse Spiders On Your Property
Brown recluse spiders often hide in clothing, in papers, or at the bottom of boxes. Due to some of their hiding choices, they inadvertently come into contact with humans. In these situations, brown recluse spiders can feel threatened and often instinctively bite. Brown recluse spiders inject venom when they bite, and it is this venom that causes pain, typically seconds after the bite, but sometimes the pain can be delayed for up to eight hours.
The bite site will become swollen and a blister may form. Most victims of a brown recluse bite will deal with restlessness, fever, and insomnia. However, some people may have a more severe reaction, such as necrosis of the surrounding tissue. With skin necrosis, the bite site begins to deteriorate and die. The dead tissue slowly sloughs off, sometimes exposing muscle or bone. The very young, very old, and the immunocompromised are at the highest risk of a severe reaction to brown recluse spider venom. However, if one suspects they have been bitten by a brown recluse spider, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
How To Keep Brown Recluse Spiders Away From Your Property
Preventing brown recluse spiders from getting a foothold on your property is the best form of brown recluse spider control. There are a few things that Davenport residents can do to keep brown recluse spiders away:
Avoid leaving clothes and shoes on the floor or outside. These are the perfect vehicles for brown recluse spiders to hitch a ride on. If shoes or clothes are left outside or on the floor, shake them out thoroughly before putting them away or on.
Flash a light into stored items. Before blindly reaching your hand into a closet or a stored bag or box, look inside with a light so there are no surprises.
Keep wood stacked at least 20 feet from your home. It is also good practice to keep your wood elevated above the ground.
Wear gloves when doing yard work. Wearing thick gloves will protect your hands from any startled spiders you may find outside.
The Safest Way To Get Rid Of Brown Recluse Spiders
The safest way to remove brown recluse spiders from your Davenport home is to contact a professional. A pest control expert, like Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators can guarantee that all pests are out of your home safely and quickly. We offer free inspections and tailored service to keep your home and your family safe. Give Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators a call today!