Spider Control

Spiders are pesky pest that no one wants around. There are thousands of species of spiders that live around the world and most are harmless to humans. Although in some cases spiders are a real threat to humans to the point of death. Washington state has  two venomous spiders that you should be aware of they are the Black Widow Spider and the Hobo Spider. There is a third spider that can sometimes be found in our state in rare ocassions which is the Brown Recluse. Other common type of spiders in the state of washington are Garden Spiders and Wolf Spiders.The two main spiders that are a threat to us usually live outdoors, however they occasionally find their way inside structures and homes. Spiders are usually not aggressive and most bites occur because the spider is trapped or unintentionally contacted. It is important to know your risks of exposure to venomous spiders, how you can prevent and protect yourself from spider bites and what you should do if you are bitten.

Black Widow Spider

Black widow spiders are common in eastern Washington, and a few small populations exists on the western side of the state. Adult female black widows are dangerous and can deliver a venomous bite. They are normally shiny black with a red hourglass marking on the underside of their abdomen. Markings may range in color from yellowish orange to red and its shape may range from hourglass to a dot. The body of an adult black widow female is about half-inch long. Black widow spiders are usually found in undisturbed areas, such as woodpiles, rubble piles, bales of hay, under eaves, fences, and other areas where debris has accumulated. Indoors, they may be found in undisturbed, cluttered areas in basements and crawl spaces.

Black widow spiders build webs between objects, and bites usually occur when people come into direct contact with their webs. A bite of a black widow can be distinguished from other insect bites by the two puncture marks it makes in the skin. The venom is a neurotoxin that produces pain at the bite area and then spreads to the chest, abdomen, or the entire body.

Hobo Spiders

Hobo spiders are found anywhere in Washington. Adult hobo spiders are dark brown with distinct pattern of yellow markings on their abdomen. Unlike many other similar looking spiders, they do not have dark bands on their legs. The body of an adult hobo is moderately large, about a half to three-quarters of an inch. Hobos do not climb like most spiders but are swift runners. To catch their prey, hobo spiders build funnel webs in holes, cracks, and recesses. They may be found around foundations, retaining walls, wood piles, and under stones and garden ornaments in yards. Indoors, hobo spiders can nest between boxes or other store items, on window sills, under baseboard heaters or radiators, behind furniture and in closets.

Hobo spiders are much more likely to attack if provoked or threatened. They usually bite when trapped against the skin by picking up firewood or putting on clothing.The bite of a hobo spider may go unnoticed - however a moderate to severe slow-healing wound will develop.

Brown Recluse

Brown recluse spiders are usually between 6–20 mm (1⁄4 in and 3⁄4 in), but may grow larger. While typically light to medium brown, they range in color from cream-colored to dark brown or blackish gray. In nature, brown recluse spiders live outdoors under rocks, logs, woodpiles and debris. The spider is also well adapted to living indoors with humans. They are resilient enough to withstand winters in unheated basements and stifling summer temperatures in attics, persisting many months without food or water. The brown recluse hunts at night seeking insect prey, either alive or dead. It does not employ a web to capture food -- webs strung along walls, ceilings, outdoor vegetation, and in other exposed areas are nearly always associated with other types of spiders.

The initial bite is usually painless. Oftentimes the victim is unaware until 3 to 8 hours later when the bite site may become red, swollen, and tender. The majority of brown recluse spider bites remain localized, healing within 3 weeks without serious complication or medical intervention. In other cases, the victim may develop a necrotic lesion, appearing as a dry, sinking bluish patch with irregular edges, a pale center and peripheral redness. Often there is a central blister. As the venom continues to destroy tissue, the wound may expand up to several inches over a period of days or weeks. The necrotic ulcer can persist for several months, leaving a deep scar. Infrequently, bites in the early stages produce systemic reactions accompanied by fever, chills, dizziness, rash or vomiting. Severe reactions to the venom are more common in children, the elderly, and patients in poor health. Persons bitten by a brown recluse spider should apply ice, elevate the affected area, and seek medical attention immediately.

Call The Spider Removal Specialists

If you feel you have a spider problem in your home please do not hesitate to contact us. We are experts that have removed thousands of spiders from homes around the snohomish county area. If you feel you have a venomous spider in your home please do not try to remove it yourself as you may aggrevate the spider and get bitten. Let us handle your spiders problems so you can sleep without any worries at night. When you think of spiders think AAdvantage Pest Control.