The fear of spiders, also known as arachnophobia, is one of the top fears people have. Beyond just being gross and creepy, they can make cobwebs and can even be venomous. No one likes to see cobwebs pile up in the corners of their home and ceiling. No one wants a spider crawling around in their bed, as they close their eyes at the end of the day. Overall, these are just not something you want in your home.
All About Spiders
Spiders can often be found in or around your home. Typically, these arachnids like peace and quiet, but they also need food and water to live. Places around the home that aren’t visited frequently are the ideal space for spiders. That’s why you typically find them in basements, garages, or crawl spaces within your home. These areas are typically untouched, and offer a lot of corners and crevices for them to build out their little homes and hide.
Spiders, like all other species, need food and water. Although spiders can live with less water, other bugs tend to be where moisture is found and spiders eat other bugs. Spiders also tend to be near doors or windows; creating webs to catch insects that have come in through these spaces. Spiders eat other bugs including flies, mosquitoes, fleas, moths, ants, and cockroaches. For this reason, you can also find them just outside your home, around outside lighting, or in the corners of window sills.
Common Species for Kansas & Oklahoma
Have you ever wondered about poisonous spiders in your area? It’s equally interesting and frightening to know that technically, all spiders are venomous. However, even though all spiders are considered venomous because they kill their prey, most spiders can’t harm humans due to the size of their fangs; compared to the toughness of human skin. For example, those harmless daddy-long-legs you used to play with as a child are one of the most venomous spiders around, but their fangs are just too small to break human skin.
Venomous Spiders to Avoid
What venomous spiders should you be concerned about? In Kansas, there are about five hundred types of spiders, but there are only three that you should be on the lookout for; the Brown Recluse, the Yellow Sac Spider, and the Black Widow. While Oklahoma is lucky enough not to see the Yellow Sac Spiders, they do see the Brown Recluse and Black Widow.
Brown Recluse Spider
The Brown Recluse spider is known for its strong bite, and can cause skin damage. Symptoms of a spider bite from the Brown Recluse include itching that lasts anywhere from two to eight hours, irritated skin, and an ulcer. Your skin tissue, around the bite area, will continue to break down for as long as up to a week after the bite. If bitten, wash the spider bite with soap and water, and apply a wet towel or washcloth to the area to help prevent infection. If symptoms continue to worsen, or if you have an underlying health condition, go to the doctor for medical help.
If you see a brown spider, about half an inch long with a dark mark on its spine, then you are probably looking at the Brown Recluse. These spiders are pretty common, and are typically found indoors. They like to live in darker, damper areas so look for them in crawl spaces and empty shoes, as this is a common hiding spot for them.
Yellow Sac Spider
The Yellow Sac Spider is similar to the Brown Recluse. It is also fairly common and has a strong bite. After the bite of a Yellow Sac Spider, you should expect swelling and redness. If you get bitten by this spider, apply ice and elevate the bite. In extreme cases, you could have an allergic reaction to the spider bite that could cause anaphylactic shock. If this is the case, or you continue to feel symptoms, head to the doctor immediately for help.
Yellow Sac Spiders vary in colors; from yellow to tan or even green. These spiders also have long front legs. Yellow Sac Spiders have an increase in population in the Spring and like to breed indoors.
Black Widow
Lastly, is the classic Black Widow. This spider is the most notorious spider, and can be deadly in extreme cases. If you get bit by a Black Widow spider, expect symptoms to begin within an hour of being bit, and last from one to three days. These symptoms can include shaking, difficulty breathing, sweating, nausea, vomiting, or headaches. Sometimes bites from the Black Widow can even lead to seizures or death. If you get bitten, head to the doctor immediately. Treatment for the spider bite varies on symptoms. Sometimes it’s as easy as pain medicine, but sometimes muscle relaxants or antivenom are necessary for treatment.
Black Widows are not as common as the other two spiders mentioned. They are most active at night because they are nocturnal, and are most commonly found in sheds or barns. Black Widows prefer to be outside because that is where the prey is, but sometimes head to enclosed buildings for warmer conditions. Black Widows are most known for the hourglass on the underneath part of their body. As far as size, they range from 3 millimeters to 10 millimeters and have a shiny black color.
How to Get Rid of Spiders Naturally
Once you see a spider, you want it gone as soon as possible. Here are a few ways to get rid of spiders quickly and effectively:
- Spider traps- which are traps with sticky glue on them, can be placed in areas where spiders have been seen.
- Peppermint oil- has been found to be effective in repelling spiders. Try watering the oil down with water and spray around your house. Peppermint oil is safe, and as an added bonus, will leave your house smelling good and fresh!
- Removing spider webs- although a vacuum will help prevent spiders from being in that area, the spider is likely to just set up shop somewhere else in your home.
- Vinegar- is another natural substance that can repel spiders. Similar to peppermint oil, water the vinegar down and spray it around your home.
- Your Handy Dandy Shoe – when you see a spider there is no better relief than getting rid of it right then and there, the only problem is… it’s only the ones you see.
How to Prevent Spiders
Obviously, knowing how to keep the spiders at bay is great, but spider prevention is the goal. It is ideal to prevent spiders before even entering your home. A few ways to prevent spiders in and around your home include:
- A clean kitchen- Without crumbs or spilled drinks, spiders will stay clear of your kitchen.
- Installing screens– This is a simple way to prevent spiders from entering your home. Make sure to keep an eye out on the screens in case there are any new holes.
- Limiting the number of outdoor lights- Turning off outdoor lights will attract fewer bugs, and fewer bugs mean fewer spiders.
- Cracks- Cracks are a common way spiders can enter your home, so filling any cracks that lead to the home will make it more difficult for spiders.
- Spider Spraying – The BEST way to keep spiders away is with regular general pest spraying. Making sure there are no insects or spiders in the home, ultimately, is the best way to prevent them from happening.
Call General Pest Control to Remove & Kill Your Spiders
These creepy crawlers are no joke; between the cobwebs hanging around your home and the potential symptoms you could get from a bite. Whether you are looking to prevent spiders from ever crawling onto your property through general spraying, or if you are looking to have a full-blown spider infestation removed, General Pest Control has the expertise to clear out the infestation and prevent any further issues.