Some creatures are always considered dangerous. Spiders are one of them. These eight-legged, multi-eyed pests are viewed by many to be life-threatening. The truth is, most spiders are not dangerous. In fact, only two of the 22 spider species here in Mississippi pose any serious risk to your health. To help you identify these pest threats and better understand spiders in general, here are a few things you should know.
Problems Spiders Cause
Just because most spiders are not dangerous does not mean that most spiders are not problematic. If you have ever walked face-first through a spider’s web, you know exactly what we are talking about. These small pests cause serious disturbances with their nests, behavior, and general creepiness. Spider problems become worse during certain times of the year, specifically around the breeding season, when thousands of baby spiders get released into homes.
Are Spiders Beneficial?
Spiders are not all bad. In fact, without these pests hunting down other pests, populations of creatures like flies, beetles, centipedes, and cockroaches would be much higher. Still, spiders are creepy and have the potential to be dangerous.
The Two Dangerous Spiders In Tupelo
Tupelo is home to two species of dangerous spiders, the black widow and the brown recluse. Although these dangerous home invaders are not the only spiders in our area that can bite, they are the only two responsible for human deaths. To help you identify these pests, here are some distinguishing features to look out for.
Brown Recluse
- Color: Light to dark brown
- Size: One-quarter to one-half of an inch long
- Bodyshape: Long thin legs, medium-sized body, and abdomen
- Distinguishing markings: A dark backward violin shape on its head
- Bite symptoms: Mild to intense pain, an open ulcer at the sight of the wound, chills, dizziness, rash, fever, vomiting
Black Widow
- Color: Black
- Size: One and a half to one and three-eighths
- Body shape: Long thin legs, medium-sized body, large round abdomen
- Distinguishing markings: A red hourglass on the underside of its abdomen
- Bite symptoms: Muscle cramps, chills, vomiting, nausea, sweating, headache, restlessness, shock, severe back, belly, or chest pain
How To Prevent Spiders
Understanding spiders is only half the battle. In order to stop these potentially dangerous pests from entering your home, you must put preventative measures in place. Here are some effective tips we recommend:
- Keep your grass cut short and your landscaping well-trimmed.
- Eliminate sources of water build up around your property.
- Fill in cracks, holes, and gaps in your home’s exterior foundation and around window/door frames.
- Address damaged window and door screens, weatherstripping, and door sweeps.
- Repair leaky piping and fixtures in and around your home.
- Make sure your gutters are clear of debris and properly channeling water away from your home’s exterior.
- Use a dehumidifier indoors around particularly humid rooms.
- Regularly clean your home, making sure not to neglect beneath furniture and kitchen appliances.
- Reduce the clutter in and around your home and organize storage areas.
- Make sure your trash cans have tight-fitting pest-proof lids.
- Clear webs using a broom as you find them.
A Better Solution To Spiders
Preventing spiders is not easy. What is easy is hiring a pest control professional to handle spiders around your Tupelo home. At McCary Pest Control, we combine excellence and reliability to provide the absolute best services to our community's home and business owners. If you are looking for the best way to prevent spiders and the pests they hunt from getting into your home, we have the pest control options you need.
Contact us today for more information about our comprehensive pest control or to schedule a free inspection for your Tupelo home. Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control services.