Most people are used to seeing spiders around their Collinsville, IL homes, especially in basements, garages, and tucked-away corners. While many of them are harmless and even helpful, some spiders pose a genuine threat to your health. Among these, the brown recluse spider stands out as one of the most dangerous ones you might encounter indoors. In this blog we will go into more detail on that type of spider and more.
Not All Spiders Are Harmless
The majority of common house spiders are not aggressive. In fact, most go about their lives catching other pests like flies, ants, or mosquitoes. Spiders like the common house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) or cellar spiders (often called “daddy longlegs”) might look intimidating, but their bites are either harmless or extremely rare. However, confusing a harmless spider with a venomous one can lead to trouble. That’s why it’s important to know what types of spiders could be dangerous if found in your Collinsville, IL home.
Meet the Brown Recluse
The brown recluse spider is one of the few spiders in North America with venom potent enough to cause serious harm to humans. Recognizable by the violin-shaped marking on its back, this spider typically measures between 6 and 20 millimeters and ranges in color from light tan to dark brown. Brown recluses are not aggressive by nature. They tend to hide in quiet, undisturbed places like storage boxes, closets, basements, behind furniture, or even inside shoes and clothing that hasn’t been worn in a while. Because of this, people are often bitten when they accidentally press against or disturb the spider without realizing it’s there.
What Happens If You’re Bitten?
A bite from a brown recluse isn’t always painful at first, but the real danger lies in the venom. It can cause localized tissue damage, leading to an ulcer or open sore that may take weeks—or even months—to heal. In rare cases, the venom can trigger more severe systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, rash, and nausea. Young children and individuals with weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to serious effects. While fatalities are extremely rare, medical treatment should always be sought if you suspect a bite from a brown recluse or experience unusual symptoms after any spider bite.
How to Reduce the Risk
To lower your chances of encountering dangerous house spiders, consider the following steps:
- Shake out clothing and shoes before putting them on if they’ve been sitting for a while.
- Keep storage areas clean and clutter-free.
- Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and baseboards.
- Use sticky traps or have a professional pest inspection done if you suspect an infestation.
Call American Termite & Pest Control if you live in Collinsville, IL and are looking for a pest control company who can help rid your home of spider infestations.
