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How to Protect Your Home from Rodents & Pests During the Fall
October brings cooler nights to much of the South — and with it, an influx of pests seeking warmth and shelter.
Unmasking Charlotte's Creepy Crawlies: The Truth About Black Widow and Brown Recluse Spiders
Spiders can be quite intimidating creatures, and they have every right to be. These pests, which instilled a (greater) fear in people following the 1990 horror and comedy movie, Arachnophobia, have frightening features, including venomous fangs. Although most spiders don’t pose a threat to the health and safety of humans and pets, there are two in North America that are especially dangerous and even life-threatening, and both are native to the Charlotte area. They are the black widow and brown recluse spiders.
Female black widow spiders (Latrodectus) can be identified by their black and bulbous, hourglass-shaped bodies and a distinct red or reddish-orange hourglass-shaped marking on the abdomen. They measure 1.5 inches in length, which is about the size of a paperclip, and their venom is so powerful that it’s said to be 15 times stronger than rattlesnake venom. The spider got its name from the female’s tendency to consume the male after mating. Male black widow spiders are brown or grey, with smaller red markings, and unlike females, they are reclusive and hardly ever seen by humans. Black widow spiders, in general, are rarely found indoors.
If you think you may have seen a black widow spider in or around your home and property, there’s a few tell-tale signs to look for:
Black widow spiders don’t typically react aggressively toward humans unless they sense a threat. Their potent venom can cause severe pain and nausea and can even prove fatal, though rarely.
Brown recluse spiders are often mistaken for other spiders, including the wolf spider, hobo spider, cellar spider, house spider, and yellow sac spider. However, brown recluses are especially more dangerous with necrotic venom, so distinguishing them is important.
Also known as the “violin” or “fiddleback” spider, brown recluse spiders range from tan to dark brown. With their long, thin legs extended, they’re about the size of a quarter. These spiders can be identified by the dark violin-shaped marking on their back, something that’s more obvious in adult spiders than in adolescents. Also characteristic of these spiders is that they have six eyes - most others have eight - which are arranged into three sets of two in a semi-circular shape.
Also, like black widows, brown recluse spiders aren’t aggressive, and it’s even possible to live in a heavily infested environment without being bitten. Most brown recluse spiders bite due to pressure or being trapped, something that may occur during sleep, for instance, or from picking up a piece of clothing or fabric where a spider has chosen to rest. Most brown recluse spider bites fully heal within three weeks, but others can develop into a necrotic ulcer, destroying the tissue around it and leaving a deep scar.
It is necessary to seek medical attention any time you suspect you may have been bitten by a black widow spider or a brown recluse spider. Even though symptoms may take some time to develop, there’s no telling whether your reaction will be mild or severe.
Aruza Pest Control offers a comprehensive set of solutions for all pests, including black widow and brown recluse spiders. We use eco-friendly products and provide a thorough inspection. For trusted pest control in Charlotte, NC, contact the professionals at Aruza Pest control.
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