How To Identify A Spider Bite

For most, just the thought of a spider can send shivers down their spines. There is a reason that people use them to decorate their homes come Halloween – They’re SCARY! . Whether they deserve it or not their reputation is not a good one. 

And with over 3,500 species of spiders in the United States, chances are you are going to come across a wide variety of spiders in your lifetime. So it is important to know which ones can be harmful to you or your pets. 

Today, we are going to break down the most common spiders in our area. And in case you think one of these spiders might have sunk their fangs into you recently; how to identify a spider bite.

Are all spiders dangerous? 

Despite what most people think, most spiders crawling around our homes are harmless. They only bite when they are feel threatened. Most of the spider bites that people get are caused by accidental brush ups or failed capture attempts. 

However, most spiders do have venom. But that venom is used only for their prey and isn’t a threat to humans; because their fangs are too weak or small to puncture human skin. 

For example, there are spiders like wolf spiders that have a low neurotoxic action. This means that their venom doesn’t have as much effect on us. 

However, this doesn’t mean that these types of spider bites can’t cause irritation.You can identify these spider bites by looking for redness, swelling, and the pain that comes with it that may last for several days after.

Common Venomous Spiders   

Even though there are many spiders in our area that aren’t harmful, there are a few that you should watch out for. If you believe you’ve been bitten by one of these spiders you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. 

The brown recluse is a particularly venomous spider that you should keep your eyes peeled for. It gets its name from hiding out in spaces like your attics and basements. But when outdoors you can find them under things like wood-piles, rocks, and other yard debris. 

It has a very noticeable dark brown mark on its back that looks like the neck of a violin. If you get bitten by a brown recluse you may not feel pain initially, but you could start to feel itching and pain several hours after. You will often develop a red ring around the bite with dark purple or blue coloring. 

The other spider we need to mention is the black widow. This spider can easily be identified by its shiny black appearance and the red or orange hourglass on the abdomen. Unlike the brown recluse, you will feel the bite of the black widow immediately. 

The female is the one you need to watch out for in this case. The males are much smaller and less dangerous. Once you are bitten, you will start to feel pain and muscle cramps. More serious reactions can cause difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting. 

If you feel like any of these venomous spiders could be the one who bit you, and you are starting to show more serious symptoms, it is always important to seek medical care. Sometimes certain people are more susceptible to toxins than others and need attention.

Rid Your Home of Spiders

If the thought of having any type of spider in your home, venomous or not, is giving you the creeps, then you need to figure out a way to keep them away. But that isn’t always easy. They are pretty good at finding a place to hang out, especially in your backyards. 

If you clear your home of places that they like to hide, this is a good first step. You can start by clearing away any debris, yard waste, logs, etc. that spiders could be hiding and reproducing under. 

In addition to that, make sure that you have gone around your home and sealed any entry points that they could use to make their way into your home. You don’t want any of those spiders hanging out this fall staying nice and cozy. 

But the best way to ensure that your home is free from those creepy crawly spiders is to have your home professionally treated by your local pest control company. We can identify where they are coming from and keep them from coming back!

Call us for Help

Identifying what type of spiders are around your home and identifying spider bites is important to you and your family’s safety. However, we know that most people don’t want to have any type of spider around their home to identify in the first place! 

So, if you need to have your home treated for spiders, we are here to help. Our pest control plans keep your home safe for months at a time, and we will be back at your home quarterly to make sure that those spiders don’t return. If you ever have any questions, don’t forget we always offer free phone consultations. Give us a call, we are always here to help.