Spiders in Houston are a fact of life, and that’s why Houston pest control experts like us have developed advanced Houston spider pest control strategies. If you already know that you have a problem with venomous spiders in your home, then we recommend that you call us as soon as you can. But if you’re still unsure about the problem or just want to know more about venomous spiders in general, then please feel free to read on as we go through identification of common venomous spiders, the health risk of venomous spider bites, prevention tips for your home and how our pest control services in Houston can help.
Distinctive Features: How To Identify Venomous Spiders At A Glance
Some common household spiders in Houston are not venomous, but never assume that any spider you see in your house is harmless. Seeing truly humongous spiders is a potential tip-off that you’re looking at a venomous species, but size isn’t a guarantee of danger.
In general, try to identify the spider as one of the following common venomous spider types: black widow, brown recluse, or “hobo” spider. The black widow is perhaps the most famous venomous spider, and that’s thanks in part to its distinctive look. Black widows are black, and certain species of black widows have a bright red hourglass shape.
The brown recluse is indeed brown, and many have a shape on their back that looks a little like a violin. They have six eyes, not eight, and they tend to hide in dark places. Lastly, the hobo spider uses cracks and small spaces to build their nest and trap their prey. The hobo spider is brown, between 1 and 1 ¾ inches in size including legs, and often has a dark stripe down the center of its back.
Do spiders attack humans? Yes, many venomous spiders do, and that brings us to the symptoms and dangers of spider bites.
Venomous Spider Bites: Symptoms And Emergency Measures
The worst-case scenario is getting bitten by a venomous spider. That’s why we want to provide you with accurate information on the symptoms of a bite and what you can do to treat the bite immediately. Typical symptoms of a venomous spider bite include localized pain, sweating, chills, a discolored blister, rash, trouble breathing, and nausea.
So what should you do if you’ve been bitten? Even if you’re unsure of the symptoms, contact a medical professional right away. They can gather information and give you the appropriate advice. At home, you can do a few things to provide first aid for a bite. Try to clean the area around the bite, and don’t try to remove the venom. Elevate the area that’s been bitten and apply a cold pack or a cold compress to reduce any swelling. If at all possible, get a photo of the spider that bit you so that it can be positively identified, either by yourself or by a medical professional.
Professional Venomous Spider Removal: Safe And Effective Eradication
Venomous spiders are nothing to mess around with. Going after spiders in the places where they feel safe is a recipe for disaster. That’s why we recommend professional venomous spider removal to keep you and your family safe. We can safely manage dangerous spiders around the home and also take preventive steps to keep them away for the long term.
Spider-Proofing: Tips For Preventing Dangerous Spiders In The Home
If you’re wondering how to keep spiders away, the following spider-proofing tips can prove helpful:
- Maintain the plants around your home. Remove dead plants as soon as you can.
- Make sure that your trash bins are closed tightly.
- Safely remove spider webs you notice inside or outside of the home.
- Manage other insect populations near your home.
- Reduce the amount of light around your home at night. This light could attract other insects that spiders like to hunt.
If you do notice spiders in or around your home and you’ve identified them as being venomous, do not approach them on your own. Instead, call All-Safe Pest & Termite to to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Houston and to have us take care of the problem for you.