When you see eight-legged creepy crawlies in your Vernal home, it's easy to jump to the worst-case scenario. Is it venomous? Do I have an infestation? Will I have to worry about my family's health and safety? Is this brown spider a recluse? Truthfully, brown recluse spiders are the most commonly misidentified spiders, but hopefully, we'll be able to make them easier to identify for future arachnid encounters.
Our team of Vernal pest control experts knows everything about spiders and the pest prey they hunt. Today, we will discuss ways to identify and rid your Vernal home of these pests.
Brown Recluse Spiders: What They DON'T Look Like
Brown recluse spiders don't really vary in appearance at all. While they may appear lighter or darker, depending on what they eat, they'll still have the same distinctive traits, none of which are listed below:
Multi-coloring
Distinctive markings on abdomen or underbelly
Eight eyes
Spines on legs, abdomen, thorax, or head
Striped legs or body
Easily visible webbing
Larger than ½ of an inch
Misidentifying brown recluse spiders is completely understandable, though, because there is a multitude of brown-colored spiders in the world. Some of the most common spiders mistaken for recluses are wolf spiders, orb weavers, spitting spiders, cellar spiders, funnel weavers, and house spiders. Most of these spiders are relatively harmless, but of course, should not be allowed room and board in your Vernal home.
Brown Recluse Spiders: What They DO Look Like and the Dangers They Pose
These dangerous arachnids are painfully nondescript in appearance. Though they do sport that telltale violin shape behind their eyes, their size, coloring, and reclusive nature make them incredibly difficult to spot. Never growing more than ½ of an inch in size, brown recluse spiders are uniformly pale to light brown in color, they only have six eyes, and they have absolutely no spines on their legs or bodies.
While brown recluse spiders are widely known for their reclusive behavior, they're only reclusive when it comes to other creatures and often invade spaces in overwhelming numbers. This makes their presence in your Vernal home even more menacing because only one bite can cause reactions such as:
Mild to intense pain and itching on and around the bite
Fever
Nausea
Chills
Rash
Generalized discomfort
Sweating
Severe necrosis of skin and muscle tissue at the bite
If you experience any symptoms after a spider bite, it's best to proceed with caution and reach out to a medical professional.
How To Keep Brown Recluses And Other Spiders Out Of Your Vernal Home
If you're noticing one or two spiders during a particularly heavy storm, it could be that they're just running for the nearest dry shelter, and your Vernal home happens to have easy access points. If you've begun to notice them during your everyday activities, though, it's more than likely that you've got yourself another infestation on your hands. Spiders inhabit areas where food is plentiful, and in this case, you might want to look for the other insects they're feasting on.
Spider prevention is fairly easy – as long as you don't have an underlying pest infestation, all you have to do is seal up the entry points. It's also important to make your home less inviting for other pests, too:
Trim tree branches and shrubs away from the exterior of your home
Repair any cracks and holes on the outer walls, foundation, roof, and trim
Replace any worn down insulation around windows and doors
Find and repair any leaky pipes
Proper food storage – airtight containers, regular cleaning, immediate cleanup of any food spills
Remove any debris piles from your property
You will likely do everything in your power to keep spiders and their pest prey away. However, despite your best efforts, you still may find yourself dealing with a spider problem.
How To Get Rid Of An Ongoing Spider Infestation With J&M Pest Control
Whether it's brown recluse spiders or a less menacing arachnid infestation, you absolutely should not let it get out of control, and you shouldn't try to battle them on your own. Bites from brown recluse spiders require immediate medical attention, and there are even worse invasive spiders you don't want to tango with. When it comes to dangerous pest infestations, you should definitely call in the pros instead
At J&M Pest Control, we have the tools and experience to identify your spider problem and come up with a long-term solution. We are a local, family-owned company that cares deeply about the security of our fellow residents. That's why we always use high-quality, safe, and effective pest control products in all of our treatments. We know how to get rid of spiders and the pest prey they hunt. Reach out to us today to learn more about our year-round pest control options.