Spiders

As common and usual-looking as they are, it’s no surprise that arachnophobia — the fear of spiders — is one of the most widespread phobias in the United States. Even though most of the spiders that you’ll find in your Richmond, Virginia area home are harmless and even help control other pests, there are a few species in the area that can be extremely dangerous to you and your family. Some spider bites can be an annoyance that itches for days, while others can be deadly and pose a severe risk to your health.

Pest Authority of Richmond is here to help you get rid of spider infestations for good. Our revolutionary Barrier 360 will stop spiders from entering your Midlothian or Glen Allen, Virginia area home or business by creating a spider-proof boundary around the exterior. If a spider does manage to get into your home or business in-between treatments, our pest control experts will come back to perform additional evaluations and treatments free of charge. No Contracts. No Commitments. No Spiders. Guaranteed.

Common Species of Dangerous Spiders:

  1.   Brown Recluse

Brown recluses are dark in color and have a violin-shaped marking on their bodies, inspiring the nickname “fiddleback” or “violin spiders” in some parts of the United States. If you’re working outside or are cleaning out your attic, make sure to wear gloves and tuck your pants into your boots because these spiders like to hide in dark spaces like attics, cupboards, and wood piles. A brown recluse bite can cause symptoms, including fever, nausea, itching, muscle pain, and convulsions. In extreme cases, a bite can lead to necrosis — a condition where living cells die — so it’s essential to seek medical attention and treatment as soon as you realize or suspect that you’ve been bitten.

 

  1.   Black Widow

The most notorious of them all, a black widow is the most known venomous spider and can be identified by the bright red hourglass or striped marking on their abdomen that sticks out on their jet-black body. Even though a female black widow’s venom is more toxic than that of a rattlesnake, very few people — less than 1% — die as a result of a black widow bite.  If you are bitten, symptoms you may experience include hypertension, nausea, abdominal pain, and difficulty breathing caused by paralysis of the diaphragm. As dangerous as they are, black widows mostly keep to themselves and only attack when they feel threatened. Black widows typically like to nest in dark places, and you are likely to find them in mailboxes and underneath outdoor furniture.

  1.   Hobo Spider

The effects of a hobo spider bite have not been conclusively confirmed due to their coloring that often misidentifies them as other species. Marked in various shades of brown, the hobo spider is often confused with a brown recluse. Because of this, hobo spider bites were once thought to cause necrosis, but now this is uncertain. Regardless, hobo spiders are still dangerous, and it is essential to seek medical attention if you do suspect that you’ve been bitten by one. Hobo spiders can be found in damp, dark places like basements, garages, and crawl spaces. Since they are more prevalent in the Pacific Northwest United States, it’s unlikely to see a hobo spider in your Richmond, Virginia area home, though it doesn’t hurt to be cautious and know about them.

 

How to Avoid Spider Bites & Infestations:

  • Check your shoes and boots for spiders and shake them out before wearing them.
  • Keep your gutters cleaned.
  • Trim your trees and bushes to keep their branches from touching your house.
  • Move your bed to the center of the room, away from the walls and curtains.
  • Don’t use bed skirts, especially if they touch the floor.
  • Thoroughly inspect and shake out clothes or linens that have been laying on the floor before wearing or using them.
  • Throw away unnecessary paper and cardboard boxes to get rid of clutter.
  • Keep clothing in sealed plastic bags and shoes in sealed plastic boxes during the off-season.