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The brown recluse in Phoenix AZ

June 17th, 2020

The brown recluse in Phoenix AZ

There are “good” spiders and “bad” spiders. If you’re like most people, you don’t care if the spiders in your home have integrity. You want them out of the house. Brown recluse spiders are not good spiders by any definition.

Brown Recluse Species Indigenous to Arizona

A 1997 academic article, “Loxosceles Arizonica Bite Associated with Shock,” was the first instance of a brown recluse spider-bite patient (a 13-year-old girl) going into shock. (She later recovered.) Amputations and death have resulted from brown recluse spider bites.

Avoid This Arizona Spider

Brown recluse spiders are brown in color. They sometimes have a darker brown violin shape on their backs. They are among the deadliest spiders in the world, and it’s not uncommon to find these spiders in Phoenix-area homes.

If you see one, don’t bother it. Take a picture if it’s convenient. Then call your local spider extermination professionals. If you believe you’ve been bitten by a brown recluse, go to your nearest medical or emergency center at once.

Where They Live

Brown recluse spiders have 6 eyes, arranged in three rows. If you suspect a spider is a brown recluse, don’t take the time to count the eyes. (You’d need a magnifying glass, anyway.)

As their name implies, these spiders are reclusive. South American species’ names translate as, “spider behind the picture,” and “spider in the corner.” Outside, they are found under rocks or hiding in crevices and cracks. Brown recluse spiders live in bathrooms, bedrooms, closets, garages, attics, and basements.

They hide inside boxes and under any “pile” of debris or stacked items. They can be found in:

  • Cinder block walls
  • Clothing piles
  • Dead plants/cactus
  • Packrat nests
  • Rockpiles
  • Wall voids
  • Wood piles

Brown recluse spiders are also hitchhikers. You can unknowingly bring them home from moves, travels, inside garden-planting supplies, or in shopping boxes/bags.

Ways to Prevent Brown Recluse Spider Infestations

Brown recluse spiders can endanger you, your family, and pets. And a brown recluse spider infestation should be taken seriously. Some of the visual signs of a spider infestation include:

  • Eggs – If you see spider eggs (hundreds of eggs rolled up inside a cobweb-material ball), contact your local pest control company asap.
  • Flying insects – If you have a lighted area that attracts flying bugs, you can be sure there are spiders nearby.
  • Spiders – You see one spider every few months; probably not a problem. You see a spider here…and there…every week or so is an indicator you may have a spider infestation.
  • Spiderwebs – Indoors or out: If you notice several “web sites,” you may have an infestation.

Can You Avoid Spider Infestations?

If you have a brown recluse spider infestation, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Because of where we live, you may not be able to avoid a spider infestation. But you can reduce the possibilities:

  • Annoy them – Spiders hate certain smells; introducing these fragrances into your rooms might help deter them:
    • Citrus
    • Eucalyptus
    • Peppermint
    • Tea-tree
  • Clean house – Basic housecleaning practices reduce the risk of spider infestations: Sweep floors, wipe surfaces, dust, and vacuum often.
  • Cut the clutter – Piles of stored stuff attracts most pests, including spiders.
  • Remove plants – Shrubbery hugging your exterior walls needs to be cut back or eliminated. Too-close vegetations make it easier for pests to enter your home.
  • Seal cracks/crevices – Cover vents, repair screens, and seal any cracks in walls.

Budget Brothers: Working For and With You

Economic uncertainty is driving many property owners’ decisions. But there are some things that shouldn’t wait. A brown recluse spider infestation certainly needs attention quickly. Budget Brothers Termite & Pest Elimination of Maricopa County can help. Contact us and we’ll come up with a pest control solution and maintenance plan that works for your property and your budget.

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