One pest that causes shivers to run down the spine of most people is the spider. The sight of a spider running across the floor results in shrieks jumps, and family members running from the room or grabbing a hammer. Spiders can ruin a peaceful night at home, and if they are in the bedroom, they can cause a restless, fearful sleepless night.
There are thousands of harmless spider species, but venomous ones give the whole species a bad reputation. If you have spiders in your home, you need the award-winning Houston pest control team from All-Safe Pest & Termite. We know how to eradicate spiders in your home so you can enjoy relaxing in your easy chair after a long day.
The Trick To Identifying A Brown Recluse Spider
Many spider species are brown, and many people assume a brown spider is a brown recluse; however, that is not always the case. You can identify brown recluse spiders in Houston by the dark fiddle or violin-like shape on the top of their dorsum (chest). Because of this unique mark, some refer to this spider species as a "violin" or "fiddleback" spider. These spiders prefer to stay in secluded, dark spaces during the day, thus earning the identity of a recluse.
The Symptoms Of A Brown Recluse Spider's Bite
A spider bite by a brown recluse is painless, and it takes three to eight hours for the symptoms to appear. If, after several hours, you notice a bite site that is red, tender, and swollen, you may have a bite from a brown recluse. Generally, the wound will heal within three weeks and will not require medical attention. The injury may result in flu-like reactions like fever, vomiting, and dizziness in children and the elderly. If these symptoms appear, apply ice, elevate the infected area, and seek medical attention.
In rare instances, bites from a brown recluse spider in Texas will result in a dry, bluish lesion with red, irregular edges and a central blister. Underneath the lesion, the venom is destroying tissue and may create an ulcer on the bone. In these rare cases, the bite may leave a deep scar.
Factors That Attract Brown Recluse Spiders To Your Home
Brown recluse spiders in your house are attracted to your home by the presence of insects. The food they enjoy eating includes crickets, cockroaches, and small prey. You can minimize the presence of these insects by:
- Storing firewood away twenty feet and elevating it five inches off the ground
- Removing logs and rock piles from the property
- Using bug lights or minimizing the use of outdoor lights at night
- Cleaning the home, focusing on corners, cracks, and crevices
- Maintaining low humidity in the basement or crawlspace area
- Creating barriers between landscaping and the home
- Sealing cracks in the foundation with caulk
To get rid of the spiders in the house, use plastic storage containers, discard unused cardboard boxes, and pick up clothing off the floor. Before you bring firewood into the home, inspect it while wearing gloves to ensure it is spider-free. Because brown recluse spiders enjoy barns, garages, and sheds, remove cardboard boxes, old magazines, and papers from these areas.
The Safest Way To Get Rid Of Brown Recluse Spiders
The best way to eliminate these venomous spiders in Texas is to use our pest control professionals at All-Safe Pest & Termite. Our experts respond fast to requests for help because we want you to have peace of mind. We will provide safe and effective treatments to rid your Houston home of spiders. Contact us today, and we will solve your spider problem.