For people who are afraid of spiders, every single one can seem like a threatening pest. They may be comforted to know that the reality is that we live in a good part of the world to avoid poisonous spiders. There are only a couple species here that do anything more than cause an itchy welt if they do bite people, and nearly all spiders are non-aggressive. That said, no one wants to learn the hard way that a spider they found on their property can send you to the hospital. That’s why every homeowner needs to work actively to prevent spider populations and the pests that they feed on.
Common Spiders In Your Area
Spiders are unique pests in that they don’t invade properties unless other pests are already there. As entirely carnivorous creatures, spiders aren’t attracted to sugary aromas and, thanks to a built-in ant-freeze system, they don’t need shelter to survive the cold. However, spiders will invade in search of insects to hunt, which is why it’s important to curb general pest problems and be able to identify local spider species. Here are some of the most common:
- Desert Tarantula: Iconic for their large size and furry bodies, tarantulas are the gentle giants of the arachnid world. They are harmless to people and pets and make for somewhat common pets themselves.
- House Spiders: Also relatively harmless and most commonly infesting homes is the house spider. These yellowish-brown, striped spiders create nuisance webs and typically only grow to be about a quarter-inch long.
- Brown Recluse: One of the two most dangerous spiders in North America, brown recluses are extremely common in deserts, with several species indigenous to right here in the Mojave.
- Black Widow: The other iconic and venomous spider in our area, black widows are known for the red hourglass markings found on their bellies.
Are Spiders Dangerous?
Again, most spiders are harmless to people or large animals. While all spiders have venom that they use to incapacitate their prey, most aren’t potent enough to have any effect on much larger mammals. Even the more poisonous spiders like black widows and brown recluses aren’t aggressive pests. Instead, spiders tend to hide during the day and keep to themselves. That said, spiders are always signs of larger pest infestations because their numbers only grow when there are much greater numbers of insects to feed on. A spider’s annoying webs can become frequent nuisances for homeowners, too. That’s why all spiders, even nuisance ones, should be treated as unwelcome. Responsible property owners should contact professionals right away for help identifying a spider problem.
How To Identify Poisonous Spiders
While we covered some of the general features and environments of dangerous spiders, we haven’t covered how, specifically to tell them apart from common house spiders. While you can sometimes spot unique colors or patterns on an animal and deduce that they are dangerous — bright colors or distinct markings are generally what to look for — some dangerous spiders can look a whole lot like normal, brown house spiders. If you are uncertain what species of spider is populating your home it is important to contact experts to determine whether the infestation is dangerous.
If you are the victim of a bite and are unsure of the species, you should be on the lookout for worsening symptoms. These include:
- Dizziness: One of the first signs of poison entering your circulatory system is the light-headedness that accompanies it. People often experience dizziness or loss of balance.
- Nausea: Another telltale sign is nausea or outright vomiting. Unfortunately, this won’t work to purge poisons in your bloodstream, which is why medical attention should be sought immediately.
- Numbness: Spider venom is designed to paralyze prey. While people are far too big to be totally incapacitated, people can experience numbness or twitching from severe venom exposure.
Contact The Pros For Help
Because a spider population can mean more serious problems, the best course of action for total pest control is to turn to professional resources. At Anver Pest Control, we can help you identify potentially hazardous spider populations, not to mention help you get rid of them. From fast-acting and safe elimination to ongoing control and prevention, pest experts offer you the best protection from pest problems of all kinds. Let us get started on an inspection of your home today.
Don’t risk dangerous spiders on your property, contact Anver Pest Control right away.