SPIDERS

There are over 35,000 species of spiders worldwide, with about 3,000 occupying our area. Many species of spiders are household pests. All spiders feed off of other insects.

The female deposits her eggs in a silken egg sac, which is off-white in color. From 1 to 5 sacs are produced, each containing 31-300 eggs. The eggs hatch in 25 to 39 days.

Both male and female brown recluse spiders can inject venom, and must be considered very dangerous to humans! The brown recluse venom is extremely poisonous, even more potent than that of a rattlesnake. Injection of their venom may produce necrosis or dead tissue, resulting in an ulcerating type of sore. The bite is usually not felt, but it may produce an immediate stinging sensation followed by intense pain or this reaction may be delayed for up to 6 hours. A small blister usually appears and the surrounding bite area becomes swollen.

Symptoms include restlessness, fever, and difficulty sleeping. The venom also induces in its victim an immune response. The victim's immune system releases inflammatory agents that recruit signal specific disease-fighting white blood cells to the area of injury. In severe cases, however, these same inflammatory agents can themselves cause injury. These secondary effects of the venom, can produce these more significant side effects of the spider bite: Destruction of red blood cells, Low platelet count, Blood clots in the capillaries and loss of ability to form clots where needed, Acute renal failure (kidney damage), Coma and even Death.

Spiders are most commonly found in boxes, among papers, in closets, seldom used shoes and clothing, corners, cracks and crevices, door and window moldings, bedrooms, attics, crawl spaces, garages, and especially basements.