Nashville, Murfreesboro, Knoxville and Chattanooga TN
A radioactive spider once bit Peter Parker, and Spider-Man was born. Despite the arachnid origins of one of the most beloved superheroes in popular culture, many people are creeped out or downright afraid of spiders. Are you one of them? Rest assured, you’re not alone. You also should know that not all species of spiders pose a threat to humans—and we’re not just talking about the fictional radioactive ones. Ameri Care Services wants to educate you on which spiders actually are good for your home.
Know the good spiders… they’re out there!
Do you ever notice spiders in your home? It might be a wolf spider. Considered one of the elite species of hunting spiders, wolf spiders live and hunt on their own, only seeking out others of their kind when it is mating season. Because wolf spiders are hunters, they’re going to seek out and eat other pests in your home. Wolf spiders have great eyesight and are fast runners, two abilities they use to pursue and capture their prey. Better yet, wolf spiders only bite when aggravated or threatened, and while a wolf spider bite does contain venom, these bites are not harmful to humans.
Garden spiders tend to congregate in—you guessed it—gardens, where they spin orb-shaped webs to snare flying insects. Look for their webs on nearby tall structures: fences, trees, walls, windows, etc. Although we definitely recommend you hire the services of a pest control company for year-round prevention, garden spiders are pretty good at pest control themselves. These spiders also typically do not venture indoors and their bite, which contains venom, is not harmful to humans. Plus, like wolf spiders, garden spiders only bite when they are bothered or threatened.
Watch out for these spider species
Black widow spiders have a reputation of being dangerous, and while their bites pose a minor medical threat to most humans, some people experience a severe reaction when bitten by a black widow. Make sure you know the signs of a bad reaction to a black widow bite:
- Experiencing some combination of pain, burning, redness, and swelling at the site of the bite immediately after being bitten
- Muscle aches
- An itchy rash
- Nausea and/or stomach cramps
- The appearance of fang marks at the site of the bite
Those at the highest risk of a black widow bite include young children, the elderly, and anyone who is immunocompromised. That’s why, if you see a black widow spider in Nashville and have any people in one of these categories in your home, it’s important to contact a pest control professional.
Brown recluse spiders pose a much greater threat to humans. These nocturnal hunters don’t build webs like most spiders; instead, they’re always on the move, looking for other insects to catch and eat. Brown recluses also are hearty and can survive for up to six months without food. A brown recluse usually enters your home because it’s in pursuit of other insects.
If you’re bitten by a brown recluse, it is important to identify the bite promptly by recognizing the warning signs:
- Visible fang marks, usually accompanied by minor stinging
- Severe pain and/or itching
- Fever, muscle pain, or nausea
- The formation of small blisters surrounding the bite, soon spreading to the surrounding area
If you or someone in your family has been bitten by a brown recluse or you believe a brown recluse has bitten them, seek medical attention as soon as you can.
Spider Pest Control in Nashville and Murfreesboro, Tennessee
We understand that even good spiders can get out of hand if they enter your home. Certain species of spiders—whether beneficial or harmful—can lay up to 1,000 eggs. A full-blown infestation of spiders can be a nuisance no matter their intent. That’s why Ameri Care Services can treat for spiders as part of any program of year-round pest control maintenance for both our commercial and residential customers. Call (615) 893-7111 today to learn more.