These Spiders Can Do Way More Than Just Make Your Skin Crawl

Did you know that both the Brown Recluse and the Black Widow spiders are native to South Carolina? Even more importantly, do you know the damage these two spiders can inflict upon humans? The Brown Recluse and Black Widow are two of the deadliest spiders in the continental United States. If confronted by either of these two terrifying creatures, it’s best to let a company that specializes in Columbia SC spider control handle them.

The Brown Recluse’s name is derived from the fact that it is in fact, very reclusive. They seek out dark, warm, dry environments such as attics, closets, porches, barns, basements, woodpiles and old tires. They tend to not be aggressive unless threatened (usually when someone unknowingly presses their skin up against one). They are identifiable by their characteristic violin pattern on their back (cephalothorax). The violin pattern is seen with the base of the violin at the head of the spider and the neck of the violin pointing to the rear.

The bite of the Brown Recluse is often initially unnoticed because the bite is at first almost painless. Then, things get bad. Approximately 2-8 hours after being bitten, victims often experience the following symptoms:

• Severe pain at the bite site approximately 4 hours after being bitten
• Severe itching
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever and severe muscle pain
• Blistering
• Necrosis (death) of the skin

The Black Widow spider is equally as scary. Black Widows can often be found in similar locations as the Brown Recluse. Dark, dry shelters are their preference, too. Black Widows are infamous for the red hourglass marking on the underside of their abdomen. This is true for female Black Widows, but the males are lighter in color and have red spots on their back (no hourglass). It is important to note, only the female Black Widow’s bite can be considered a threat to a human.

The bite of the Black Widow is severe. According to National Geographic, black widows are considered the most venomous spider in North America. Even scarier, according to North Carolina State University, their venom is potentially 15 times more powerful than that of a rattlesnake. Here are the symptoms a bite victim may experience:

• Nausea
• Extreme perspiration
• Nearly unbearable neck, abdomen and muscle aches
• Hypertension
• Paralysis of the diaphragm (making breathing extremely difficult)

Both of these spiders are considered a severe threat to human health, however, they rarely result in death. While they may not always be lethal, these are two spiders you definitely do not want dwelling in or near your home. We at Mosquito Squad of Columbia specialize in spider control and can help you determine what kind of spiders you have and how to get rid of them.