On the spookiest day of the year, it seems only fitting to discuss one of THE most feared, and dreaded of pests – SPIDERS!! Maybe it’s the sight of all those extra legs? Or that ominous, creepy “tickle” when they skitter across your skin? Or the invisible wispy webs, that seemingly jump out at your face and get stuck in your hair and eyelashes?
Point being, any of those factors can catch even the most hard-nosed, unshakable individual off guard. So after your heart rate settles back down and you can again think rationally, you might wonder – Are there any dangerous spiders in New England?
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Poisonous?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are only three spiders in all of the U.S. recognized as having venom that is threatening to humans. This list includes the: Black Widow Spiders, Brown Recluse Spiders and the Hobo Spiders. But are there any here in New England? Short answer – yes.
But before you panic, let us elaborate. Of the three mentioned, only the Northern black widow is considered native to the New England region; as opposed to the Southern and Western varieties. Here’s the good news … verified sightings of the northern widow have been exceedingly rare – phew! So you can rest assured that the likelihood of you encountering a northern widow in New England, while possible, is extremely unlikely.
Stowaways?
The brown recluse, southern & western black widow and hobo spiders are NOT native to New England. That said, there have been verified reports of these leggy louts being transported in on goods (yes – like grapes). The good news here, are these varieties are more adapted to warmer climates, so infestations are not likely to occur in New England, from their “hitchhike.”
Black Widow Bite Symptoms
Again, while the probability of being bitten is very low – especially since, the black widow is not easily provoked, it’s still wise to know the symptoms of a black widow spider bite. First, expect a stinging, burning pain, as well as swelling and redness at the bite site to occur right away. Other possible symptoms include:
- High blood pressure
- Increased sweating
- Chills
- Fever
- Nausea & vomiting
- Headache
- Muscle pain or cramping
- Itching or rash
- Difficulty breathing
As you can see, these symptoms can appear similar to many other health conditions. So if you do believe you may have been bitten, it’s best to seek medical attention. That said, where children are involved, bites can be fatal – seeking IMMEDIATE emergency medical help is necessary.
Prevention
Even if encountering a dangerous spider in New England is as likely as bumping into Beyoncé at Whole Foods; you may prefer NOT to share your home with any eight-legged critters. Their very presence in your home may actually be an indication of a more serious pest infestation. This is because spiders feed off of other common household pests.
We recommend frequent dusting of corners and removal of any cobwebs on both the interior and exterior of your home. Making sure you have window screens that are free of holes and securely installed. Sealing cracks and crevices can also help.
However, those measures alone may not be enough and calling a trusted licensed pest management pro may be necessary. A pro will understand the biology and habitat of common pests. They also have the knowledge, skills, and equipment to target pests at the source.
The Modern Difference
When you choose Modern, not only do you get year-round protection against 60 common household pests – including spiders – but we do so with minimal exposure to materials for the safety of your family, home, and the environment.
You can rest easy with our team of truly knowledgeable professionals, who are consistently prompt, efficient, polite and helpful. We understand that customers just want the job done, and done right – which is why we offer 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Contact the experts at Modern Pest Services for a FREE quote today! Or call 1-800-323-7378