In general, spiders are shy, peaceful creatures. You may not have noticed it, but there are spiders in your home all the time, or to be more specific about it, we are all just within 3 feet of a spider inside our homes all the time. Most of the time, people have just learned to ignore them. There is always that peaceful harmony between the homeowners and the spiders. Save for a few cobwebs on the walls and ceilings, spiders just keep to themselves and never bother homeowners.
While most are peaceful, some can be dangerous to humans. In the United States, there are two venomous spiders that should be kept in check. They manage to invade homes, hiding in dark areas of the house. When disturbed, whether accidentally or on purpose, they can bite and release a powerful venom. The spiders we are talking about are the black widow spiders and the brown recluse spiders. These are the spiders that we can all consider as pests in our homes.
Choosing The Best Pest Control Professionals For Spider Problems
There are some things in this world that you simply cannot do anything about. Cold weather, hot temperatures, hurricanes, tornadoes, you simply adjust or stay out of the way. With pests, it is a different story. You can fight it and win the war. If you, like many other homeowners, have spider infestation problems, you may need the services of the professionals. Here in Charlotte, we only settle for the best in everything, including the pest control services we acquire. If you are looking for one, here is what you should consider:
- Do they have experience in fighting pests? Pests do not look like much, but they are wise creatures and can find ways to adapt to our methods of extermination. The pest control professionals should always be one step ahead of their enemies.
- Do they use state of the art equipment? Or are they using old and obsolete equipment? Of course, this should matter. Using obsolete equipment right inside your homes is even more dangerous than the pests themselves. The latest and most advanced equipment, obviously, will be far more efficient.
- Are they state licensed? Some so-called pest control experts are operating illegally throughout Charlotte. Quality if their services are suspect.
- What is their track record in exterminating pests like spiders, cockroaches, termites, ants, bed bugs, weevils, moths, mice, centipedes, and millipedes? Have they taken care of their business?
- Are their technicians well trained and highly skilled?
- Check social media for their ratings. Were the customers satisfied? Are they highly recommended?
- In the performance of their duties, are their methods family friendly and pet-friendly?
The Black Widow Spiders
The black widow spiders are one half of the dynamic duo of the spider world in the United States. They are considered the most venomous spiders in North America. Their venoms are said to be 15 times more powerful than that of a rattlesnake’s, only the females' bite. Though their venoms are very powerful and can be very painful, it is not fatal to adult humans. For children and the elderly, however, it can be fatal. If you accidentally run into a black widow spider, and it bites you, seek immediate medical attention. If possible, catch the same spider that bit you, whether dead or alive. Show it to your healthcare provider. This will allow him to make an informed decision on the type of care and treatment that you need. As a first aid precaution, wash the bite area with soap and water, then apply a cold compress.
A female black widow has a shiny black body with a red hourglass marking in their abdomen. They are about 1.5 inches long. On the other hand, the males are about half the size of the females, lighter in color, and have either red or pink spots on their backs.
The black widow got its name because of the female black widow’s penchant for eating their male counterparts after mating. It is said that the males make this ultimate sacrifice so that their offspring will have enough source of food eventually. The female black widows can live up to three years, while the males can live up to a year, that is if they are not eaten.
The red hourglass markings serve as a warning to other predators that they are toxic, and thus cannot be eaten.
Black widows eat other insects and arachnids. They use their webs to capture their prey. Mosquitoes, flies, ants, termites, and coaches are fair game. Once these insects get trapped in the web, the black widow then approaches it and covers it in silk. It then bites into it to release an enzyme that would liquefy their prey. Only then will the black spider eat its prey.
How To Get Rid Of The Black Widow Spider
Here are some tips from spider experts in North Carolina:
- Try all means possible to prevent black widows from getting into your house in the first place. Seal off all cracks, openings, and holes. You may use a caulking gun and some sealant. Inspect your home inside and outside. Fill in any holes and cracks around the holes, cables, walls, and faucets. Black widows are so small that they can fit into these small cracks and opening.
- Place weather stripping around the windows and walls. These can be used as potential entry points by these spiders.
- Remove clutter. These are potential hiding spots for black widows. Black widows like to remain undisturbed, so they like staying in undisturbed areas. Storage boxes, woodpiles, the back of the closets, under the furniture, and even shoes that have not been worn for a long time are some of the places they can hide.
- Vacuum around the house. Move your furniture a bit so you can vacuum the area where it stood. Seal and dispose of the vacuum bag outside your home and make sure nothing in the bag can find its way back again.
- Wear gloves when gardening. This will protect your hands in case you run into a black widow.
- Clear away vegetation around your home, especially ivy. Black widows may find it cozy living in plants. Cut or trim shrubs, grass, and plants.
- Do not use outdoor lighting, as these attract bugs. When bugs are around, the black widows follow because it is obviously a food source.
Brown Recluse Spiders
The brown recluse spider is the only other venomous spider in North America and the most common of the brown spiders. It is characterized by their a violin-shaped marking in their bodies, their 6 eyes, instead of the usual 8, and arranged in three pairs.
The brown recluse spider and the black widow spiders have almost the same behaviors and habits. The brown recluse got its name from its shy nature, and like the black widow, hide in dark places. They are nocturnal or forage for food only at night. The brown recluse spiders also need to mate only once in a year to be able to produce 150 eggs in a year.
If a brown recluse bites you, seek immediate medical care. Though most of the time, brown recluse bites are not fatal, some develop severe symptoms. People who are bitten by the brown recluse often have small red marks on the skin, but heals immediately.
Symptoms of a brown recluse bite include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. When bitter, seek immediate medical care. As much as possible, bring the spider that bit you along with you to the hospital. This will allow the doctor to make an informed decision about the type of treatment to give you. Prior to going to the hospital, wash the bite area with soap and water and then put a cold compress on the bitten area for about ten minutes.
To get rid of the brown recluse spider:
- Seal cracks and openings. These could be used as entry points for the brown recluse spider. Use a caulking gun and a tube of sealant. Inspect your homes for these cracks and openings, since spiders are small enough to sneak in these holes.
- Clear away plants around your house. Brown recluse can live in these plants. Cut off shrubs, decorative grasses, and plants. They also like ivy.
- Since outdoor lighting attracts bugs, avoid using them as much as possible. Bugs are a natural food source for spiders, so they would soon follow where there are bugs to eat.
If you have spider infestation problems, call in the best pest experts in North Carolina, Go-Forth Home Services.
Why Go-Forth Home Services?
Go-Forth Home Services has a team of highly skilled and well-trained technicians who utilize only the latest and the most advanced equipment in the business. They also use family friendly and pet-friendly methods of extermination, so you can be assured of their safety. Go-Forth Home Services is a family owned business that has been around for more than 50 years and has earned the trust of residents and businesses in Charlotte.