The brown recluse, also referred to as the violin spider, spends the majority of its time staying out of the way in its web. However, the fact that these spiders like to stay hidden doesn’t tend to make homeowners feel any better about a potential infestation. Your local exterminator in Bartlesville, OK is here to tell you about a few ways you can determine if a brown recluse is residing in your house, and how to keep yourself safe if you are ever bitten:
- Distinctive markings: Although there may be some variation in the shade, brown recluse spiders are most commonly a sandy brown color, with darker brown markings at the center of their back. These dark brown markings often resemble the shape of a violin, which is how this spider got its nickname. The legs are always a lighter brown than the rest of the body, and don’t have any special markings like the back area.
- Eyes: The eyes of a brown recluse are also unique. While most spiders have eight eyes, the brown recluse has only six that are arranged in pairs, with one pair in the center and one pair flanking each side. It might be difficult to determine just how many eyes a spider has, but if you can count more than six, you aren’t looking at a brown recluse.
- Size: Another identifying feature of a brown recluse is the lack of spines in the body and legs. These spineless legs are typically covered in hairs that are short and fine. Their bodies are also small, and they don’t grow to be more than a half-inch.
- Location: As their name would suggest, brown recluse spiders like to build their webs in places that are hidden from plain sight and aren’t disturbed often. They can be found behind pictures, or in shoes or dressers that haven’t been used in a while. They also like basements, sheds or barns that stay dry.
- Treatment for a bite: If you are bitten by a brown recluse, it is possible that you won’t experience any pain or notice any symptoms from the bite for up to eight hours. At around this time, the bite may turn red and become swollen. This may be the worst of the effects for some, but children or adults that have higher sensitivity might experience exaggerated symptoms such as chills, nausea or a fever. If you experience any of these symptoms, make sure you wash the area with soap and water, and ice the bite for 10 minutes.
While a bite from a brown recluse spider doesn’t usually do much harm, you will still want to contact your local exterminator in Bartlesville, OK to determine if there is an infestation in your home. No matter how harmless an insect may or may not be, allowing them to remain in your house isn’t ideal, which is why our team at Excellence Pest Control is ready to spring into action. Call today to schedule an appointment so you can keep brown recluses out of your home for good.