Why People Often Confuse Spiders with Brown Recluse
There are some species of spiders that are easy to identify, like daddy long-legs and black widows. These species have easily distinguishable characteristics that aren’t shared by other arachnids in our area. The brown recluse, however, is about as generic as spiders come. They are brown, have normal-sized bodies, and have long legs. From a distance, it is nearly impossible to identify these dangerous spiders from other common and harmless brown spiders that live in our area.
How To Identify A Brown Recluse
There are two ways to identify a brown recluse. The first is by looking for a backward dark violin shape located just behind its head. The second way is to check this pest’s eyes. Brown recluse spiders have six eyes as opposed to almost all other species of spiders that have eight. With both of these things in mind, do not get too close to a spider if you think it might be a brown recluse, and certainly, do not pick it up!
The Dangers Of Brown Recluse Spiders
A brown recluse spider does not appear as dangerous as it actually is. Behind this pest’s not-so-innocent eyes is a venom that has the power to send you to the hospital. A single bite from a brown recluse can cause moderate to severe pain and a necrotic reaction around the area of the bite. This necrotic reaction can become severe, resulting in a deep sore of dead tissue around the area of the wound. Other potential symptoms of a brown recluse bite include fever, chills, nausea, joint pain, weakness, sweating, headache, breathing difficulties, and, in rare conditions, seizures or coma.
Some Prevention Tips To Keep Brown Recluse Spiders Out
Brown recluse spiders invade homes to hunt for other pests like flies, ants, and moths. For this reason, in order to keep brown recluses out, you also have to prevent the pests they hunt. Here are some practical ways to do this.
- Address moisture issues in and around your home.
- Turn off exterior lights when it gets dark or invest in insect-resistant bulbs.
- Use a caulking gun to seal entry points in your home’s exterior and window/door frames.
- Store leftovers and pantry items in airtight containers.
- Keep unscreened windows and doors closed when they are not in use.
- Repair damage to screens, door sweeps, and weatherstripping.
How Professionals Handle Brown Recluse Spiders
At Natura Pest Control, we understand the dangers brown recluse spiders pose. To eliminate these pests from homes, we use targeted treatments in areas where brown recluses are found. We then implement defensive measures to place safeguards around a home’s exterior to keep future threats at bay.
Call us today to discuss home pest control treatment options with one of our friendly service representatives. We will walk you through all of our options, find one that best fits your needs, and schedule your Reno home for a service visit.