Spiders may be tiny, but their presence in your home can make your skin crawl. While many spiders are harmless, some can pose a threat to your family’s health. In White House, Tennessee, a few species lurk around homes, and knowing which ones to worry about could save you from an unpleasant surprise. Let’s take a closer look at the most common spiders in the area, how to identify dangerous ones, and how to keep them out of your house for good.
Have a pest problem you need to eradicate right away? Leave it to the professionals and call the experts at Smash Pest to get started today.
What Are the Most Common Spiders Found in White House Homes?
In White House, you’re likely to run into a variety of spiders both in and outside of your home. Fortunately, though, most of them pose no threat to you or your family’s safety. The most common spiders found here in the White House area include:
- Common House Spiders: The name says it all. These spiders are the ones you often see hanging around in corners and catching flies. They’re not harmful, just an extra pair of eyes (or eight) helping with pest control.
- Wolf Spiders: These larger, fast-moving spiders might look intimidating, but they’re harmless to humans. They don’t spin webs and usually prefer hiding under furniture or in basements.
- Orb-Weaver Spiders: Famous for their impressive webs, these outdoor spiders are harmless. They’re great at trapping other pests but typically won’t bother you inside your home.
- Cellar Spiders: Commonly known as daddy longlegs, these spiders have long, delicate legs and tend to live in basements or crawl spaces. They aren’t dangerous and rarely bite.
Most of these spiders are harmless, but there are a couple of venomous species that do live in Tennessee and those are the ones you should keep a close eye out for.
How Do I Identify the More Dangerous Spiders from the Less Dangerous?
While most spiders are nothing more than a nuisance, there are two species you should be cautious about: the Black Widow and the Brown Recluse. Luckily, because of their distinguishing features, they’re relatively easy to pick out:
- Black Widow: Easily recognized by its shiny black body and distinctive red hourglass marking on its underside, the Black Widow is venomous. A bite can cause severe pain, muscle cramps, and nausea.
- Brown Recluse: These spiders are brown with a distinctive violin-shaped marking on their backs. Brown Recluse bites can lead to necrotic skin wounds and require medical attention.
Both of these dangerous spiders prefer the same hiding spaces: areas that are dark and undisturbed like closets, basements, garages, sheds, etc. So, when you’re poking around looking for your fall decorations this season, if you come across some creepy crawlers matching either of these descriptions, you’d better steer clear and consider calling in a team of professionals.
What Do I Do If I Get Bitten?
If you happen to get bitten, it’s important to first identify the culprit. Spider bites can be uncomfortable, but as long as you monitor the wound and keep an eye out for warning signs, you don’t have to do much to treat it. However, if you were bitten by either a Black Widow or Brown Recluse, you should respond quickly and calmly to minimize possible effects and complications:
- Clean the bite area: Wash the bite with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection.
- Apply a cool compress: Use a clean cloth or ice pack wrapped in a towel to help reduce swelling and pain. Apply the compress for about 10 minutes at a time.
- If the bite was from a Black Widow:
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers: Medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help alleviate pain and reduce muscle cramping, which is common with Black Widow bites.
- If the bite was from a Brown Recluse:
- Keep the area elevated: If the bite is on your arm or leg, keep the area elevated to prevent swelling.
- Avoid strenuous activity: Try to keep the affected area still to prevent the venom from spreading.
- Monitor for symptoms: A Brown Recluse bite may not cause immediate pain, but within hours, it can result in symptoms like redness, blistering, and a developing ulcer. In severe cases, systemic symptoms like fever, chills, and nausea can occur. And for Black Widow bites, symptoms can include intense muscle cramping, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. These symptoms can develop within hours and may spread from the bite area to other parts of the body.
- Seek medical attention: If the bite starts developing into an open sore (more common in Brown Recluse bites), or if you experience more severe symptoms like fever, nausea, or difficulty breathing consult a doctor right away. In some cases, medical professionals may prescribe antibiotics, pain relievers, or wound care treatments.
How Can I Prevent Spiders From Entering My Home?
Spiders typically come inside searching for food (like insects) and shelter. Here are a few easy steps to help prevent them from taking up residence in your home:
- Seal Cracks and Openings: Ensure doors, windows, and cracks in walls are properly sealed to keep spiders and other pests out.
- Declutter: Spiders love undisturbed places. Keep your home clutter-free, especially in basements, attics, and storage areas.
- Remove Webs Regularly: Clear out any spider webs you find, both inside and outside. This discourages them from sticking around.
- Keep Outdoor Lighting to a Minimum: Lights attract insects, which in turn attract spiders. Reducing outdoor lighting can help keep them away from your doors and windows.
Spider Scaries? Call Smash Pest Control & Eradicate Them for Good
Spiders making you uneasy? Whether you’re dealing with harmless house spiders or suspect a more dangerous species, Smash Pest Control is here to help. Our team of experts can safely identify and remove spiders, giving you peace of mind. Don’t let creepy crawlies take over your home – give us a call today, and we’ll squash those spider scaries for good!
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