Brown recluse spiders are very different from most other spider species. They aren’t aggressive towards people, but their bite can land you in the hospital, and although it’s not common, thousands of brown recluses have been removed in cases where there were severe infestations. For example: a family from Lenexa, Kansas captured over 2,000 brown recluse spiders in their home over a period of six months. Arachnologists also collected 1,150 brown recluse spiders over three nights in one location. This means that if left untreated, a brown recluse infestation could grow to be very large.
How dangerous is the brown recluse?
Brown recluse poison is extremely toxic but bites are very rare. They are not aggressive spiders and they will only bite in self-defense when they feel threatened. This usually occurs when they are squished against the skin, in situations such as when the spiders are hiding clothes, shoes, gloves, and even in the bed.
The bite may not hurt enough to be noticed right away, but a small, reddened blister will appear first and then it will start itching. Depending on a few factors, including individual susceptibility, immune system issues, simultaneous bacterial infection, and others, the victim will experience a variety of symptoms, and if someone has a compromised immune system, is old, very young, or if they are allergic to spider venom, hospitalization may be required. In extreme cases, death may occur.
What to do if you are experiencing a brown recluse infestation?
A brown recluse infestation should be taken seriously. If you notice one of these spiders in the home, it’s best to call a pest control pro right away, who will perform an inspection, find the nest, and remove most or all of the spiders.
You can take some steps to minimize the severity of the infestation. To start, you want to keep your home free of clutter. Clutter is a big draw for many pests, but it is especially appealing to brown recluses and black widows, because they provide a much needed hiding spot. You also want to get rid of potential nesting locations. Brown recluses love objects that have a rough surface, such as cardboard boxes. Make sure that you remove these objects from your home, and that you use sealed plastic containers to store your goods.
Your bed is also a dangerous spot during an infestation, so if you want to lower the odds of a brown recluse climbing onto it, you should make sure that the bed does not touch the wall. Finally, make sure that you double check any item of clothing before putting it on. This includes gloves, shoes, work boots, and any other clothes.
If you have noticed a brown recluse in your home, contact us right away and we will set up a pest control appointment.
