The answer is yes and no. Let’s explain. A fear of spiders can be a common affliction among many people. In most instances, it’s an irrational fear because spiders generally don’t cause a problem and most aren’t venomous. But when spiders pose a danger, the fear becomes rational because bites can be dangerous or even fatal to humans.
The fact remains that spiders do not usually cause health concerns in humans or even pets. Many spiders that are venomous don’t have the ability to actually bite, and vice versa.
Arachnids are a common feature of desert life. While most species of spiders in Phoenix are harmless, you should be on the lookout for two dangerous types called the black widow and the brown recluse. If you spot them, call an exterminator in Phoenix right away.
Black Widow Spiders
These are the easiest of the two to identify, as their black bodies help them to stand out well against the desert sand. They also have a red hourglass marking on their underbellies, and measure about an inch and a half long overall. Black widows prefer dry, dark locations to spin webs and catch unsuspecting prey.
They hide out in areas where they can be protected from the sun and predators. These areas include decks, stacks of firewood, stones, and hollow stumps. You’ll also find them in cluttered spaces in sheds, barns, chicken coops, garages, basements and crawlspaces.
Unless provoked, they won’t harm humans either by accident or on purpose. Truth is, bites from a black widow are rare, and fatalities are even more rare. But the fact remains that their venom is 15x more powerful than a rattlesnake’s. So you’re not likely to get bit by a black widow, but when you do, you may have muscle aches, nausea, and difficulty breathing. Get yourself to an ER stat.
Brown Recluse Spiders
These are a bit more challenging to identify. They are only a 1/2 inch long and are a boring brown color so you can’t spot them as easily. But you will know it’s a brown recluse by the violin-like markings on their backs. Plus, they have six eyes, not eight like other spiders. They will avoid interactions with humans as much as they can, so they are unlikely to lash out unprovoked.
They prefer dry, warm, dark environments like closets, basements, and wood piles, and will only bite when trapped or threatened. The thing is, you may not realize you have been bitten until hours later. You will want to get to an emergency room right away. If you suspect you have been bitten by a brown recluse, keep a close eye on symptoms that could develop, especially in the elderly and kids. Symptoms include a small blister at the bite site, accompanied by fever, difficulty sleeping and restlessness.
Spider Pest Control in Phoenix AZ
If you are living amongst any of the two above spider species, contact us at 480-550-9220 for a free quote on pest control in Phoenix AZ and elsewhere.
