Everything Everyone In Elizabeth City Ought To Know About Brown Recluse Spiders

While spiders of all varieties are unwelcome in Elizabeth City homes, some are worse than others. One of these is the brown recluse spider. As one of the few dangerous spiders in North America, brown recluse spiders can produce painful, venomous bites that warrant medical attention.

As such, you should do everything in your power to keep these unwanted pests out of your home. That means being able to identify brown recluses and knowing the proper preventative measures to keep them out. Don’t let brown recluses keep you from enjoying your home.

What Do Brown Recluse Spiders Look Like?

Brown recluse spiders are usually brown but they can range from yellowish-gray to black. They have eight long, slender legs that are covered in hairs and they grow to be ¼ to ½ an inch long. The most recognizable characteristic of a brown recluse is a dark brown violin-like shape on its back. While out in nature, brown recluse spiders are beneficial to the ecosystem. However, they are known to come into homes which is when you need to worry.

Are Brown Recluse Spiders Dangerous?

As previously stated, brown recluse spiders are one of the few dangerous spider species here in the United States. They have potent venom that they use to take down their prey. However, if they feel cornered or threatened, they will bite and expel venom into humans, as well. 
 
Though they usually do not expel too much venom in defense, bites from brown recluse spiders can cause serious health problems. Bites from brown recluse spiders can result in fever, sleep issues, swelling, and tenderness. Moreover, the wound left over from the bite is very prone to infection. If you are bitten by a brown recluse, seek medical attention right away.

Ways To Prevent Brown Recluse Spiders

Like with most other spiders, the key to brown recluse prevention is based on preventing other pests from entering your home. This is because brown recluse spiders feed on other pests. If you can reduce other pest populations and remove possible entry points, you should be able to reduce your odds of having to deal with a brown recluse spider infestation. To prevent brown recluse spiders, you should:

• Store all food in tightly-sealed containers or in the refrigerator.
• Wipe up spills and crumbs from countertops and floors immediately. 
• Do not leave dirty dishes stacked in the sink for long periods.
• Take the trash out regularly.
• Store trash in trash bins with tight-fitting lids.
• Fix any leaky pipes or fixtures.
• Seal cracks in the foundation of your home with caulk.
• Seal cracks around window and door frames.
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Install screens in windows and exterior doors.
• Remove any debris and clutter from attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
• Cut grass, bushes, and vegetation back from your home.
• Remove any fallen trees, logs, or excess woodpiles from your yard.
• Keep woodpiles away from the exterior of your home.

If you can accomplish these preventative measures, you should greatly reduce your exposure to brown recluse spider infestations.

For More Brown Recluse Spider Prevention And Treatment

If you have questions about brown recluse spider prevention, or if you are currently dealing with a brown recluse infestation, contact the trained pest professionals here at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control right away. Not only will we eliminate any infestation with which you are currently dealing, but we will work with you to take the proper preventative measures to ensure you don’t have any infestations in the future.
 
Give us a call today.