What Are Brown Recluse Spiders?
Brown recluse spiders range in color from yellowish-gray to black. Their abdomens are covered in gray hairs and their long legs are darker in color than their bodies. Their bodies grow to between 1/4 and 3/8th of an inch in length and their leg span reaches between 1 and 1 ½ inches. They also have "violin-like" patterns that are found on the top of their bodies and three pairs of eyes that are uniquely arranged in a semi-circle pattern. Brown recluse spiders are not a pest you want to find on your Memphis, TN property.
Are Brown Recluse Spiders Dangerous?
Brown recluse spider venom can cause serious health consequences in people, and therefore, they are dangerous pests. As their name suggests, these spiders are shy and reclusive in nature, and won’t seek you out to attack and bite you. However, if you accidentally make contact with one, they will bite due to the pressure felt from being trapped between an object and your skin.
Symptoms from a brown recluse spider bite include fever, problems sleeping, and the area around the bite swelling and becoming tender. After a few days, the skin around the bite begins to ulcerate. The wound is prone to infection and may take weeks or months to heal. A bite from a brown recluse spider requires medical attention to properly manage the symptoms.
Why Do I Have a Brown Recluse Spider Problem?
Brown recluse spiders live outside near food, water, and shelter sources. They are predatory and feed on a variety of insects and other spiders. Properties with areas of dense vegetation, gardens, tall grasses, and piles of debris tend to have large spider populations on them. Spiders also are found living inside homes and other buildings, making their way inside following food sources. Once inside, spiders typically stay (especially during winter months), feeding on insects that also have moved inside.
Where Will I Find Brown Recluse Spiders?
As their name suggests, brown recluse spiders usually nest and hide out in dark, quiet, out-of-the-way places. They like to place their irregular shaped webs at ground level. Outside, they make their webs or burrows in tall grasses, inside bushes and shrubs, between rocks, underneath decks and porches, in gardens, in woodpiles, under lawn furniture, and in the corners of entryways. Indoors, spiders hide out in dark, dry, quiet areas like basements, closets, attics, crawlspaces, and under furniture.
How Do I Get Rid of Brown Recluse Spiders?
To get rid of invasive and dangerous brown recluse spiders from your Tennessee, Mississippi, or Arkansas residential or commercial property, seek the help of an experienced pest control expert. At Mid-South Pest & Termite, our knowledgeable professionals provide effective pest control services using environment-friendly methods. We are committed to our customers and to using advanced solutions to eliminate brown recluse spiders and other household pests from Memphis, Germantown, Cordova, Bartlett, Lakeland, and Arlington homes. To learn more about our residential and commercial pest control options, call Mid South Pest & Termite!
How Can I Prevent Brown Recluse Spiders in the Future?
To avoid problems with dangerous brown recluse spiders in your greater Memphis area home or business, we suggest the following prevention tips:
- Keep outbuilding (sheds, garages) doors closed when buildings are not in use.
- Install door sweeps on all exterior doors and make sure screens are intact.
- Place woodpiles a distance away from the outside of your home.
- Prevent gardens, shrubs, and bushes from overgrowing.
- Keep storage areas inside your home as clutter-free and organized as possible.
- Use gloves when working in garden areas or when rummaging through storage boxes.
- Seal cracks found in the foundation of your home and caulk gaps around windows and doors.
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What Sets Us Apart?
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We Treat for a Wide Range of Common Memphis Area Pests
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We Pride Ourselves on Being Environmentally-Friendly and Use Green Pest Control Products Whenever Possible
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We Service an Extensive Area, Including Parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas
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We Provide Both Residential Pest Control and Commercial Pest Control Solutions
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We Offer Free Pest Control Inspections and a Pest-Free Guarantee
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We’ve Been Working in the Pest Control Industry for Over 55 Years