The brown recluse spider is, as per its name, a rather reclusive creature. They're another example of a frightening pest that's probably just as scared of you as you are of it. Although they try their best to avoid human contact, they all too often end up inside human homes, where their attempts to hide are interrupted by our rummaging around. The last thing you want is for one of these highly venomous arachnids to end up under your hand, or foot, or buried somewhere in your sheets before you go to bed. Here's everything you need to know about the brown recluse, including why they invade Woodlands homes and how to kick them out.
How To Identify Brown Recluse Spiders
As stated, their name is a massive hint. The brown recluse is recognizable by its long legs, light brown color, and a subtle black violin-like marking on its back. Their eyes are also arranged slightly differently to most other spiders, totaling six rather than eight, in three rows of two. They prefer dry, quiet, secluded areas with pre-built places to build their flat, irregularly shaped webs. This means that around your home, you're most likely to find them in places such as garages, attics, inside old boxes or potted plants, under patios, crawlspaces, or staircases, and other such seldom-disturbed areas. However, they have sometimes been known to crawl into closets and hide in laundry or linens, which is likely the least ideal place for them to be.
How Dangerous Are Brown Recluse Spiders?
Brown recluse spiders don't bite humans except as their absolute last resort, but unfortunately, it happens more often than you'd like to believe. If you reach into one of their hiding places, unaware of their anxious presence, you're likely to be bitten. Although the brown recluse would rather not waste its venom on non-prey, it inflicts a painful bite that can often develop necrotic infections. It's essential to get a brown recluse bite looked at immediately and take measures to remove the spiders themselves if they're becoming a problem in your home.
Natural And Effective Spider Prevention Tips
Along with a comprehensive treatment plan from All-Safe, there are quite a few things you can do to prevent an unwanted arachnid population from finding their way into your home. Try following these steps for a spider-free Woodlands home:
- Reduce their potential hiding spots by decreasing clutter around your home
- Keep your yard and garden regularly trimmed to further deter them from hiding nearby
- Seal up any cracks, crevices, or other potential entry points around the exterior of your home
- Install door sweeps and bug screens, and ensure all siding is secure
- Try not to keep any doors and windows open for long
- Eliminate any potential sources of prey for them around your home
- Partner with the knowledgeable professionals at All-Safe for ongoing guidance
The Safest Way To Get Rid Of Brown Recluse Spiders
Suppose you're noticing brown recluse spiders spinning webs around the quieter spots in your home. In that case, you should consider calling in the professionals to remove them before their population spirals out of control. Although they do not actively hunt humans, more of them only means more opportunities for a dangerous accidental run-in with their fight-or-flight instinct. That same instinct is only triggered more sharply if you try to grab them for removal yourself. The experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite can take care of everything. Reach out to our highly trained technicians to receive cutting-edge pest control service, fully customizable to your specific needs and concerns. Call us today to learn more about our year-round spider control options and pest control bundles.