Are you always knocking down spider webs or seeing spiders crawl on the walls or around your doors? If so, we have a solution that will control and prevent you from having to deal with this on a daily basis.

There are over 35,000 species of spiders worldwide, with about 3,000 occurring in the United States. Many species of spiders are household pests. Wherever their food is available, spiders are likely to be found. All spiders are predators, feeding mainly on insects and other small arthropods. In North Carolina there are only two spider groups that are considered dangerous to humans, the Black widow spider and the Brown recluse spider.

The Black Widow Spider

Adult female body length ½” including an almost spherical abdomen.

Color is typically black with reddish triangular markings usually joined to form a reddish hourglass-shaped marking.

The Black widow’s venom is a neurotoxin. The female is normally shy and retiring, but aggressively attacks immediately after egg laying and when guarding her eggs. The Black widow bite is not always felt, so the only reliable evidence of a bite is a slight local swelling with 2 tiny red spots where the fangs entered. However, pain is usually almost immediate and reaches its maximum in 1-3 hours, continues for 12-48 hours, and then gradually subsides. The major symptoms are increased body temperature and blood pressure, profuse sweating and nausea. There is an antitoxin available. Immediately call physician or go to emergency room if bitten and take spider along for identification purposes. If treated, bites are rarely fatal.

Areas of nesting:

Black widows commonly live in protected places among and under stones and pieces of wood, in firewood piles, under decks, in hollow stumps and trees, in rodent burrows. Favorite places are dry man made structures such as barns, sheds, meter boxes, brick veneer, barrels and woodpiles. Indoors, they are typically found in seldom-used parts of garages, basements, and in crawl spaces.

The Brown Recluse Spider

Adults usually about ¼-1/2” in body length
Color tan to dark brown with a darker fiddle-shaped marking on back.

Both male and female Brown recluse spiders can inject venom, and must be considered dangerous to humans. Injection of their venom may produce necrosis or dead tissue, resulting in ulcerating type sore. The bite is usually not felt, but it may produce an immediate stinging sensation followed by intense pain or this reaction may be delayed for 6-8 hours. A small blister usually appears and the surrounding bite area becomes swollen. Symptoms include restlessness, fever, and difficulty in sleeping. The killed tissue gradually falls off during the next 10-14 days, leaving an open ulcer and possibly exposing the underlying muscles and/or bone. Healing is very slow and usually takes several weeks, resulting in dense scar tissue. If bitten contact your physician or go to the emergency room.

Areas of nesting:

Outside they can be found around rock piles, boxes, woodpiles, and under decks. In the inside of homes they can be found in any undisturbed area that provides shelter such as, boxes, corners, under table ledges and other hidden areas. 

If you are having problems with spiders, please contact us for a free consultation.