The Brown Recluse: 12 Ways to Avoid Bites

If you have been reading our previous blog posts, we have talked a bit about brown recluse spiders in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. By now you probably understand that the brown recluse is considered a more dangerous species of a spider due to the fact that their bites can result in a severe reaction. In some cases, when people are bitten by a brown recluse spider (which is very rare by the way), they require hospitalization from slow-healing open sores on the body. And while it is certainly not a common occurrence, there have been fatalities reported from brown recluse spider bites. So, what can you do as a Nashville homeowner to prevent any run-ins with these arachnids? Our TN pest control team at All-American Pest Control wanted to share these answers to commonly asked questions and 12 ways that will help you and your family avoid brown recluse spider bites.

How Concerned Should I Be?

Brown recluse spiders are not aggressive and most bites occur in response to pressure when a spider becomes trapped against bare skin for this reason bites are rare, even in homes with severe infestations.

What can I do to avoid being bitten?

1. Keep item such as clothing, bedding, etc… off the floor

2. Shake out shoes and clothing before getting dressed

3. Remove bed skirts and inspect bedding before going to bed

4. If you store clothing, shoes, papers, etc… use airtight containers and seal them with tape

5. When unpacking boxes, carefully look for messy webs and spiders

6. Reduce clutter and vacuum regularly under furniture

7. Inspect and clean children’s rooms often and keep toys in airtight storage containers

8. Don’t handle live spiders (not even on glue board monitors)

9. Don’t miss any of your scheduled services

10. If you purchase a large item inspect it as carefully as possible before bringing it into the home

11. If you purchase items from antique sale, garage sales or consignment sale try to remove it from the packaging before bringing it into the home

12. If you will be using a storage facility try to have it treated before you store your belonging and again when you remove your belonging from the storage unit

What are the Symptoms of a brown recluse bite?

The initial bite is generally painless. Findings of a raised, hardened area and associated redness may not be seen for 6 to 12 hours. Bites that progress to necrosis tends to show progression in 48 to 72 hours. Central blistering with surrounding gray to purple discoloration may appear. The site is surrounded by a ring of blanched skin that is surrounded by a large area of redness, producing the “red, white and blue” sign typical of a brown recluse bite. Only approximately 1 in 10 bites result in necrosis. The physical reaction depends on the amount of venom injected into the bite location and individual sensitivity to the bite. Most Brown Recluse bites heal without severe scarring.

What Should I Do If Bitten?

Remain Calm. Apply an ice pack directly to the bite and immediately seek medical attention. It is important to collect the spider for positive identification.

Things To Keep In Mind

This Brown Recluse Reduction program is designed to minimize the Brown Recluse spider population. Brown Recluse spider reduction is best achieved through a combination of efforts including monitoring, inspection, pest control material application, spider habitat reduction and at times alterations of the structure and/or landscape. However, it is important to understand that some level of Brown Recluse infestation will be present at all times during the life of the service whether or not the occupant sees them.

To learn more about brown recluse spiders as well as the many other pests that could inhabit your home in Middle Tennessee, please contact All-American Pest Control today. We offer brown recluse spider service that will get rid of any spiders that are in your home now and help to prevent a future infestation.