The name brown recluse can send chills down your spine. These dreaded arachnids are among the most venomous in North America and can infest homes and businesses alike. But is that bad reputation deserved? And can brown recluse spiders in Dallas be a danger to patrons and staff?
What You Should Know About Brown Recluse Spiders
Everything you need to know about a brown recluses appearance and behavior is right there in the name. These spiders are solid brown in color, with the average specimen measuring between 1/4 and 1/2 inches in size. They are reclusive in nature, preferring to hide in low-traffic areas where humans, pets, and other larger creatures dont go. Brown recluse spiders weave messy webs in places like closets, attics, and basements. They can be found hiding amidst clutter, firewood, and items in storage.
Brown recluse spiders are notoriously venomous, but confusion often arises when brown recluse spiders are mistaken for other species. There are a few simple ways to determine whether or not the spider youre dealing with is a brown recluse:
- If the spider has eight eyes, it is NOT a brown recluse. Brown recluse spiders have six eyes arranged in three pairs of two.
- If the spider lacks a violin pattern or is lightly colored, it is NOT a brown recluse. Brown recluse spiders have a dark-colored violin pattern with the neck pointing toward the abdomen.
- If the spider has a multi-colored body or stripes on the legs, it is NOT a brown recluse. Brown recluse spiders have single-colored bodies and legs with no bands or stripes.
How Bad Are Brown Recluse Spider Bites?
At first, a bite from a brown recluse spider is painless. However, after several hours, agonizing pain and inflammation occur at the site of the bite. The necrotic venom of the brown recluse destroys tissue. After a while, dryness and discoloration of the skin occur, and in severe cases, lesions and blisters may develop.
Not everyone is prone to a severe reaction from a brown recluse bite, but some individuals react especially badly. Symptoms have been known to disappear on their own after a few days for some folks, while others will suffer from open necrotic wounds that may take months to heal.
Children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems are at the highest risk of death or serious illness from a brown recluse encounter. Symptoms of a severe reaction include nausea, vomiting, chills, and fever. Regardless of how well or how poorly someone reacts to brown recluse venom, if you or someone you know has been bitten by a brown recluse spider, its always a good idea to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
How To Deal With Brown Recluse Spiders In Your Business
Whether youve got brown recluse spiders or any other species infesting your Dallas business, the best way to deal with the problem is with professional commercial pest control services from Delta One Pest Management. As leaders in the commercial pest control industry, we tailor our services to the specific needs of your business. We deliver powerful treatments to eliminate pests at the source, so you can keep employees and customers safe and happy.
How To Prevent Brown Recluse Spiders
You can prevent brown recluse spiders from infesting your business by trying some of the following tips:
- Clean often Eliminate any food debris that attracts the small insects that spiders feed on.
- Seal entrances Check for any cracks or openings around the exterior of your property and seal with silicone caulk.
- Control moisture Fix leaking pipes and faucets. Reduce humidity by ventilating or installing a dehumidifier.
To learn more about how we can help your Dallas business, get in touch with us today!
