Eco-Pest - Spiders

Spiders draw out the fear in many people. While all spiders have venom, not all spiders are dangerous to humans. Many are actually beneficial to have around outside of your home, since they eat many insects that could otherwise be pests for your home.

However, there are a few spider species that you definitely want to avoid contact with. The Black Widow is one of those.

BLACK WIDOW: One very easy way to identify these is that they are shiny black, NOT fuzzy black. The Black Widow is a web building spider, and is most often seen hanging upside down in it's web. It makes the red or orange "hourglass" on the underside of it's abdomen very easy to see.

The venom of a Black Widow is a protien venom that attacks the nervous system. According to eMedicine Health webiste: "This neurotoxic protein is one of the most potent venoms secreted by an animal." The severity of the persons reaction to the bite of a Black Widow largely depends on the age and the physical condition of the person bitten. Children and the elderly are more seriously affected than young adults. People rarely die from the bite of a Black Widow - usually it is the very young or elderly that face the most risk.

A Black Widow bite usually occurs when the spider is disturbed, and it bites in reaction to that. So be careful when you reach into dark areas, or when you are digging out your seasonal clothes that you stored away a few months ago.

HOBO SPIDER: The Hobo spider is another spider of concern in our area. It's venom is different from that of a Black Widow. Much like a Brown Recluse Spider, the venom causes death of the tissue. Depending on how much venom is actually injected, sometime after the bite, a blister may develop, which can develop into a large open sore.

CONTROLLING SPIDERS:

Controlling spiders is actually best left to a professional. There are things you can do to help keep spider populations down to a minimum. Keep clutter to an absolute minimum. Don't allow things to be stacked next to the foundation of your home. This can create a perfect harborage for insects, which in turn is an invitation to spiders.