Although South Carolina is home to many types of spiders, most are harmless to people. Brown recluse spiders are an exception to this thanks to their potentially fatal bites. It’s important for you to know more about these spiders, including what they look like and when to get help from Hilton Head Island pest control services.
Brown Recluse Spiders in SC
Brown recluse spiders haven’t always been in SC, but they’ve been in our state since 1976. Over the years, they have continued to spread throughout SC and are now found in all counties.
How to Identify Brown Recluse Spiders
Brown recluse spiders can be difficult to spot. These spiders aren’t big, and they don’t have highly noticeable coloring. As adults, they grow to around 3/4 of an in inch. These spiders usually have a light brown or yellowish coloring and a violin shape on their back.
Brown Recluse Spider Behavior
Brown recluse spiders do not spin webs in corners or other areas where they might be easier to spot. Instead, these spiders prefer to spend their time in out-of-the-way areas where they won’t be disturbed. Brown recluse spiders usually come out at night in order to feed. These spiders typically stay in boxes, shoes or any other areas that provide them with a dark, quiet space to hide.
Brown recluse spiders are not known for being aggressive. However, these spiders do bite if you disturb them by accident. Since they tend to stay in hiding places, you might accidentally encounter one while reaching into a box or taking shoes out of your closet.
Dangers of Brown Recluse Spiders
What makes brown recluse spiders so dangerous? These spiders have a venomous bite that can lead to skin necrosis and other life-threatening problems in some individuals. Their bite doesn’t hurt, so you might not notice it right away. In fact, it can take several hours for symptoms to appear.
Bites from these spiders might become itchy and sore after awhile. If skin necrosis occurs, this results in ulcers and skin decay as tissue in the area is destroyed. Without proper care, this can lead to the loss of the affected part of the body, such as a finger. With treatment, bites that have become necrotic can take months to fully heal.
Dealing with Brown Recluse Spiders
What should you do if you have brown recluse spiders in your home? Handling these spiders on your own can be dangerous, since it puts you at risk of being bitten. Instead of getting rid of these spiders yourself, have a Hilton Head Island pest control professional do it for you. This helps ensure that these spiders are fully gone from your home without you having to risk being bitten.
Preventing Brown Recluse Spiders
You don’t have to live in fear of brown recluse spiders if you take a few steps to prevent them in your home. One of the most effective ways to stop these spiders from staying in your home is to get rid of places that they can hide in. Store items in plastic containers with lids instead of using cardboard boxes or bags. When you take shoes out, give them a shake before putting them on, especially if they’ve been sitting in your closet for a long time.
Keep in mind that brown recluse spiders can also be found in outdoor areas. When you’re outside, put gloves on before you move piles of firewood or other items that these spiders could be lurking in.
If you think that you might have a brown recluse problem in your home, contact Island Pest Control. Our Hilton Head Island pest control services can safely eliminate brown recluse spiders from your home.
