NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Pest control experts said they are currently combating an influx of brown recluse spiders in Middle Tennessee.
Recognized by the violin or fiddle pattern on its back, the spiders are showing up frequently in area homes. Exterminator George Cross said he has received double the calls for brown recluse spiders this year compared to last year.
Cross and others at Arrow Exterminators have been working non-stop following up on calls from homeowners
. It’s possible the May flood forced some spiders out of their comfort zones.
“It’s possible that heavy rain pushed recluses into (homes), and they are just like us. They want a dry place to live,” said Cross.
The brown recluse has a bite that feels like fire and leaves an open wound that can require a skin graft to heal.
The spider’s venom is seldom fatal for a relatively healthy person, but could require a hospital stay. Doctors said the elderly and children can have serious reactions as well.
Exterminators said the brown recluse loves to hide and won’t bite unless bothered. Most times they hide on the insides of pockets and shoes that have been stored for a long time. Cross said the spider loves attics and crawl spaces.
Bug experts said people who like to visit garage and yard sales should be aware that old items could also be home to brown recluse spiders.
A good exterminator can help to slow down or get rid of a major infestation. In the meantime, glue boards can help attract the spiders to determine where they’re nesting in your home.
In some cases, the venom from a brown recluse bite can form lesions on the skin, which are very painful.
Those lesions can become open sores that can take six to eight weeks to heal completely, and the entire recovery after that can take several months or longer.
Bug experts said spiders can be kept at a minimum by lessening clutter as well as storing items in plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38028367/ns/local_news-nashville_tn/
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